Content Warning: This article mentions trauma-related topics which could potentially be triggering. If you are facing or witnessing abuse of any kind, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is available. Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or Text "START" to 88788. You can also use the online chat.
Post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD is a common mental health condition that occurs after someone experiences a traumatic event. Not all trauma survivors develop PTSD, and in fact, only a small portion of people who survive trauma develop post-traumatic stress disorder. While trauma always impacts a person's mental health, PTSD is a disorder with symptoms that impact a person's life and ability to engage in activities more severely and on an ongoing basis. That said, post-traumatic stress disorder is a treatable mental health condition, and if you have post-traumatic stress disorder, your symptoms can improve with treatment. Accelerated Resolution Therapy or ART, alongside other treatment forms like EMDR or CBT, is one of the potential treatments to help people living with post-traumatic stress disorder. This article will talk about how ART helps people living with post-traumatic stress disorder.
What Is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?
Post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD is a mental health condition present after someone experiences or directly witnesses a traumatic event. To be diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, you must meet the criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder listed in the most recent version of the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders or DSM, which, at this time, is the DSM-5.
Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder include but aren't limited to:
- Hypervigilance
- Trouble sleeping
- Re-experiencing traumatic events through nightmares, flashbacks, and intrusive memories
- Irritability
- Social isolation, detachment, or withdrawal from others
- Feelings of depression
- Feelings of anxiety or panic attacks
What Is ART?
ART is short for Accelerated Resolution Therapy. ART or Accelerated Resolution Therapy is an evidence-based form of mental health treatment or psychotherapy used to improve post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms and promote rapid recovery from traumatic events. It is meant to reprogram how one's mind stores traumatic memories and images, so it is often beneficial for individuals living with PTSD. It combines visualizations with horizontal eye movements which activates certain parts of the brain. For information and advice regarding any specific medical or mental health treatments, including accelerated resolution therapy, make sure to speak with a medical or mental health professional.
Can Accelerated Resolution Therapy Be Used For Anything Besides PTSD?
Yes, Accelerated Resolution Therapy can be used for more than PTSD. According to the ART International website, accelerated resolution therapy is proven to have the potential to treat depression, phobias, anxiety, addiction, and grief effectively in addition to treating post-traumatic stress disorder. You can find research regarding the efficacy of Accelerated Resolution Therapy on the ART International website, as well as client testimonials and training in ART for providers. Go to the ART International website to learn more: https://artherapyinternational.org/.
Find An Accelerated Resolution Therapy Therapist
Here are some ways to find an ART therapist near you:
- Conduct Online Search. Since art therapy is another form of therapy (art therapy is a form of therapy where you engage in artistic activities during the therapeutic process, where ART in accelerated resolution therapy is an abbreviation), you'll want to search for "Accelerated Resolution Therapy" specifically if you conduct an online search to find a provider.
- Ask Your Doctor For A Referral To A Counselor Or Therapist Who Uses Accelerated Resolution Therapy. If you don't have a primary care provider or general doctor that you regularly visit, you can make an appointment with a doctor in your area as a new patient.
- Check With Your Insurance Company. You can do this by calling your insurance company and asking for the names of providers who use accelerated resolution therapy in your area that are covered by your insurance, or you can visit your insurance providers' website if they have a provider directory online.
- Use An Online Mental Health Provider Directory Or Search Tool. Many online medical or psychology websites have directories or search tools that you can use to find a provider near you who works with specific modalities or populations. Use the provider search tool on the Mind Diagnostics website, located in the upper right-hand corner of your page, to locate a provider near you. All you have to do is type in your zip code and press "enter" on your keyboard or click the magnifying glass.
Another option is to use the search tool on the ART International website, located here. If you are searching for a remote provider such as an online counselor or therapist, consider signing up for an online therapy website like BetterHelp. Remember that you can always switch to a new counselor or therapist if you don't like the first mental health provider you see. Therapy is a safe space, and you deserve to get the help you need.
Peer Support For PTSD
In addition to counseling or therapy, peer support can be advantageous to those living with post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD. It is not a replacement for mental health treatment options such as ART, but it can be beneficial as a supplement and has its own place because peer support offers a sense of community and understanding. There are a number of different ways to get peer support for post-traumatic stress disorder. Here are two popular ways to find peer support:
Support Groups
Support groups may meet face-to-face, online, or via voice call. Nowadays, remote support group options are becoming more and more popular. In some cases, you will find a general PTSD support group, but sometimes, you will also find a support group made for those who have been through specific types of trauma. For example, support groups exist for those who have suffered from domestic violence, the traumatic loss of a loved one, and other forms of trauma. There are various ways to find a support group to attend online or in your local area. You can search for "PTSD support groups near me," "grief support groups near me," or any similar applicable term to find a support group in your area, or you can ask a trauma therapist or counselor for a recommendation. You can also use online support group locators. Note that group therapy and support groups are two different things. Group therapy is always led by a qualified mental health professional, where support groups often are not. Again, both have an important place in our communities; they simply have different purposes. Peer support can indeed be life-changing because of the sense of personal understanding it provides.
Online Forums And Message Boards
Online forums and message boards are another popular way to get peer support. There are a number of different post-traumatic stress disorder forums or message boards out there that you can use. Support groups typically meet on a certain day of the week at a certain hour, which doesn't always work with everyone's schedule. Here are some PTSD forums to consider:
The Beyond Blue PTSD And Trauma Forum
The Australian-based Beyond Blue online forum for PTSD and trauma is an active forum for those living with PTSD or the after-effects of trauma.
The My PTSD Forum
The My PTSD Forum on myptsd.com is an online forum for those living with PTSD.
The Mentalhealthforum.net Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Forum
Mentalhealthforum.net is a website with a number of different forums for various mental health conditions and concerns, including anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, PTSD, and more.
PTSD Facts And Statistics
Here are some facts and statistics about post-traumatic stress disorder that may surprise you:
- Although when most people think of PTSD, they picture veterans, post-traumatic stress disorder can affect anyone. Some of the most common traumatic events affiliated with the development of PTSD are sexual assault, physical assault, domestic violence, natural disasters, car accidents, and more.
- It's estimated that about 5% of adolescents experience post-traumatic stress disorder.
- Many individuals living with post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD have another comorbid or co-occurring mental health condition. Common comorbid conditions seen in those living with post-traumatic stress disorder include anxiety disorders, depressive disorders such as major depressive disorder, and substance use disorder.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder is more common in women and girls than it is in boys and men.
Take The Mind Diagnostics PTSD Test
Are you wondering if you could have post-traumatic stress disorder? If so, consider taking the Mind Diagnostics PTSD test. While taking the test is not a replacement for a diagnosis from a medical or mental health professional, the Mind Diagnostics post-traumatic stress disorder test can give you insight into your symptoms and what you're going through, and taking the test might just be the first step to getting the help that you need. Although post-traumatic stress disorder can affect people of all ages, the Mind Diagnostics post-traumatic stress disorder test is for those aged 18 and older.
To take the Mind Diagnostics post-traumatic stress disorder test, click the following link or copy and paste it into your browser: https://www.mind-diagnostics.org/ptsd-test.
