PTSD is a mental health condition that may develop after experiencing, witnessing, or learning about a traumatic event. Unlike a temporary stress response, PTSD symptoms last more than one month, cause significant distress or impairment, and are not better explained by substances, medication, or another medical condition.
Symptoms may begin soon after trauma or become fully apparent months or years later.
PTSD symptoms generally fall into four groups:
Unwanted memories, nightmares, flashbacks, or intense reactions to reminders.
Staying away from people, places, activities, conversations, thoughts, or feelings connected to the trauma.
Fear, guilt, shame, anger, negative beliefs, memory gaps, emotional numbness, detachment, or loss of interest.
Feeling constantly alert, being easily startled, irritability, sleep problems, poor concentration, angry outbursts, or reckless behavior.
Triggers may include sounds, smells, places, dates, conversations, or situations associated with the trauma.
PTSD can follow assault, abuse, combat, serious accidents, natural disasters, medical emergencies, sudden or violent loss, or repeated work-related exposure to traumatic details. Not everyone exposed to trauma develops PTSD.
Risk may increase with severe or repeated trauma, childhood adversity, limited support, ongoing stress, or prior mental health concerns. PTSD may also occur with depression, anxiety, substance use problems, chronic pain, or sleep disorders.
Some people develop complex PTSD (C-PTSD) after long term or repeated trauma, such as childhood abuse, neglect, domestic violence or ongoing unsafe relationships. Along with core PTSD symptoms, complex PTSD often involves intense trouble managing emotions, a deep sense of shame or worthlessness, and difficulty trusting others or staying close to people. Learn more about complex PTSD symptoms in adults and the signs of unresolved trauma.
Symptoms that appear in the first month after a traumatic event may be diagnosed as acute stress disorder, and early support can lower the risk of long term PTSD. In children and teens, trauma may show up as nightmares, clinginess, irritability, acting out the event in play, school problems or stomachaches and headaches.
There is no lab test or brain scan that confirms PTSD. Diagnosis is based on a careful psychiatric evaluation with a trained provider. At our Las Vegas clinic, this may include a conversation about what happened and how it affects you now, a review of symptoms in each PTSD cluster, standardized screening questionnaires such as the PCL-5, and questions about sleep, mood, substance use and safety. You do not have to share every detail of the trauma to get help.
Treatment is personalized according to symptoms, safety, medical history, related conditions, preferences, and recovery goals.
Trauma focused psychotherapy is considered the most effective first line treatment for PTSD. Evidence based approaches include:
Through our therapy services and referral network, we help you find the trauma focused approach that fits your needs and comfort level.
Medication can reduce symptoms such as intrusive memories, anxiety, depression and sleep problems, and it often works best alongside therapy. Through medication management, your provider may discuss:
Benzodiazepines are generally not recommended for PTSD because they can interfere with recovery and carry a risk of dependence.
Recovery may involve recognizing triggers, rebuilding routines, improving sleep, practicing coping skills, maintaining supportive relationships, and avoiding alcohol or drugs as coping tools. Progress is often gradual.
Seek professional care when symptoms persist, worsen, or affect work, sleep, relationships, responsibilities, or safety. For suicidal thoughts or an immediate crisis, call or text 988. Call 911 for a life-threatening emergency.
Trauma affects people in every part of the Las Vegas Valley. We care for veterans and active duty service members, including families connected to Nellis Air Force Base, as well as police, firefighters, EMS crews, healthcare workers and others whose jobs expose them to traumatic events. Many people in Southern Nevada were also affected by the 1 October 2017 shooting. If that includes you, the Resiliency and Justice Center offers free community support that can work alongside clinical care.
Paramount Healthcare Services is located at 1705 S Eastern Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89104, and we see patients from Henderson, Summerlin, North Las Vegas and across Nevada through secure telehealth. Telehealth can be especially helpful when crowded waiting rooms or driving feel overwhelming. We accept Aetna, Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Medicare and Medicaid, and offer affordable cash pay options.
Paramount Healthcare Services offers psychiatric assessment, trauma informed care and medication management for children, teens and adults with PTSD in Las Vegas. Call +1 (702) 514-4057, email support@paramounthcslv.com or book online to schedule a confidential evaluation in person or by telehealth.
If you are in danger, having thoughts of self harm or feel unable to stay safe, call or text 988 or call 911 right away. Veterans can press 1 after dialing 988 to reach the Veterans Crisis Line.
Providing compassionate, professional, and reliable psychiatric care in Las Vegas. We are dedicated to quality mental health services and supporting healthier lives.
