The silent suffering that accompanies trauma can come from a number of causes, such as childhood abuse, sexual assault, natural disasters, military combat, accidents, or the loss of a loved one. The wide variety of ways in which people can experience trauma means that trauma is a much more common mental health issue than most people realize. Exposure to traumatic events like death, warfare or injury can result in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PTSD is a potentially dangerous disorder where the sufferer has recurrent symptoms. Symptoms can include intrusive thoughts or memories, flashbacks, or feelings of excessive guilt (sometimes referred to as survivor’s guilt). People afflicted with PTSD often exhibit signs of anxiety, depression, and an overall inability to move past traumatic events. Often times they engage in self-destructive behaviors, such as excessive drinking, drug use, risky activities involving sex or gambling, self-harm and even suicide.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder can be challenging to treat, with many factor to consider. Influential factors include the nature of the trauma (isolated versus repeated events), the amount of time that has elapsed since the trauma, and whether any co-occurring mental health disorders have developed, such a major depression, generalized anxiety, OCD or a substance use disorder. Raul J. Rodriguez, MD and his team of doctors, nurses, and therapists have a proven track-record of treating all levels of trauma and PTSD. In addition, Dr. Rodriguez and his team are adept at treating any co-occurring mental health problems resulting from trauma and PTSD. Along with providing psychiatric care for populations who often deal with trauma, such as members of the military and first responders, Dr. Rodriguez also offers trauma-specific programming on an outpatient basis at his mental health clinic in Boca Raton and Delray Beach.
Each treatment plan for PTSD is customized, based on the clinical needs of the patient. All treatment begins with a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation by Dr. Rodriguez. During the evaluation, traumatic stress symptoms are assessed, along with history and other factors, in order to make a judgment if medication and/or therapy would be the best avenue for treatment. Treatment plans for trauma and ptsd may involve psychopharmacology and medication management for symptoms, individual process therapy (psychodynamic, EMDR), behavioral therapy (CBT, DBT), trauma-specific group therapy and holistic support services.