Millions of Americans suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) every year. In fact, according to statistics, approximately 3.5 percent of Americans suffer from PTSD. The condition is prevalent among soldiers who have had traumatic exposures on the battlefield, but it is also not uncommon for individuals to develop PTSD following the death of a family member. 

As with most mental health disorders, there is no single cure for PTSD. However, a combination of medication and therapy has also proven to be effective in managing PTSD symptoms for some people. With help from a healthcare professional, a PTSD patient can mitigate the triggering factors and learn how to effectively cope with the stress of past trauma.

Here are two common treatment options for individuals suffering from PTSD:

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy, also known as “talk therapy” involves talking with a mental health professional with the goal of identifying and managing the triggers of your condition. Talk therapy for PTSD occurs in groups or one-on-one sessions and can last between 6 to 12 weeks or even longer. Talk therapy can directly target the symptoms of your PTSD or focus on family, social and job-related triggers. 

Cognitive Processing Therapy

Cognitive processing therapy, commonly referred to as CPT, is based on the idea that immediately following a traumatic experience, an individual is likely to struggle to fully process what just happened to them. CPT works by identifying those inaccurate conclusions and restoring them in healthier ways. CPT therapy takes around 12 sessions, during which the therapist works with the patient to process the trauma by talking or writing about the experience. 

Post-traumatic stress disorder is a challenging condition, and it’s disabling for many. If you’re struggling with PTSD and unable to work, it may be time to file for Social Security Disability benefits.