Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares, intrusive thoughts, heightened anxiety, and emotional numbness. PTSD can appear differently for everyone, and it’s common to feel isolated or misunderstood. Dr. Caro provides personalized care to help you recognize these symptoms and develop strategies to manage them effectively. With the right support, it’s possible to regain a sense of safety, stability, and hope in your everyday life.
PTSD can affect each person differently. Here are some common indicators that it may be time to reach out:
Repeated, unwanted memories or reliving the trauma in vivid detail can disrupt daily life.
Steering clear of people, places, or activities that remind you of the trauma, even when it limits your daily functioning.
Feeling constantly on edge, easily startled, or tense can make everyday activities exhausting.
Difficulty feeling positive emotions, connecting with others, or finding enjoyment in life.
Dr. Caro provides individualized care for PTSD using treatments backed by research and proven to be effective. Her approach includes therapy guidance, medication management, and flexible telehealth support to meet your needs from the comfort of home. Every treatment plan is made with unique experiences and goals in mind, ensuring that you receive care that addresses both your symptoms and overall well-being. With a focus on evidence-based interventions, Dr. Caro helps you develop strategies to manage triggers, reduce distress, and regain control over your daily life.
PTSD symptoms can look different for everyone, but they often fall into a few main categories. Many people experience intrusive memories, such as flashbacks or nightmares that bring them back to the traumatic event. Others may try to avoid reminders of the trauma, like certain places, people, or situations, which can make daily life feel very limited. Mood changes are also common. This might include feeling detached from loved ones, losing interest in activities, or struggling with guilt and negative thoughts. On a physical level, PTSD can cause hypervigilance, trouble sleeping, irritability, or feeling constantly “on edge." Together, these symptoms can significantly impact mental and physical health.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) usually develops after a single traumatic event, such as an accident, natural disaster, or assault. Symptoms often include flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance, and strong “fight or flight” reactions. Complex PTSD (C-PTSD), on the other hand, develops after repeated or long-term trauma, such as childhood abuse, neglect, or ongoing domestic violence. In addition to the common symptoms of PTSD, C-PTSD may include intense feelings of shame, difficulty trusting others, emotional numbness, or struggles with self-worth.
The intense “fight or flight” response is a common symptom of PTSD that makes you feel constantly on edge or hyperaware of danger. While this reaction is your body’s way of protecting you, it can become overwhelming and interfere with daily life. PTSD Treatment focuses on helping you calm this response through techniques such as breathing exercises, grounding strategies, mindfulness, and guided relaxation. Over time, these tools can reduce the intensity of anxiety and help you feel more in control. Dr. Caro can tailor treatment plans to your specific symptoms, which may include therapy, medication, or a combination of approaches
You’re welcome to email Dr. Caro directly at maricelinacaro@primarycarepsychiatry.com with any concerns or questions you may have.
You can schedule an appointment with Dr. Caro through her online portal.
