Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) treatment in the Midlands
Speak to a trained adviser today, in confidence.
Get help for PTSD at Priory
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can happen after someone goes through something traumatic. The symptoms of PTSD vary but can include panic attacks and flashbacks, where you relive the situation. You may feel ‘numb’ or detached from the reality of what has occurred, and you may also have difficulty sleeping.
Left untreated, PTSD can have a negative impact on lots of different areas of your life. If you've been diagnosed with PTSD, there are a range of treatments available. Priory specialists will talk you through the options and recommend the most suitable treatment based on your personal circumstances.
PTSD help near you
Our Priory sites in the Midlands specialise in treating PTSD, helping you to get your life back on track. There are different types of therapies for treating PTSD, including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR), that can help you manage the challenges you're facing by changing the way you think and behave.
We provide outpatient therapy for PTSD at Priory Wellbeing Centre Birmingham, and inpatient treatment at our residential service, Priory Hospital Barnt Green. Our leading UK PTSD specialists are committed to providing expert, bespoke treatment, helping you to make a strong recovery.
You can overcome PTSD
You really don't have to struggle with PTSD. When you receive treatment with us, you'll benefit from:
- Expert advice on PTSD and mental health from a Priory specialist
- Therapy sessions to suit your work and commitments
- Complete discretion and confidentiality
- A recommended treatment programme based on your individual needs
- Access to over 30 years' experience providing the highest quality mental health care
Effective treatment for PTSD can reduce your symptoms and help you achieve positive mental wellbeing. If you feel like PTSD has taken over your life, you can rest assured that our experienced mental health consultants, counsellors and therapists can help you improve your personal situation.
Priory can help you
Our trained advisers are available to speak with you in confidence and provide guidance on your concerns and options for treatment. Whether you're interested in learning more about our treatment centres, services or costs, our team can provide the information you need to make an informed decision.
- Speak to a trained adviser today, in confidence
- Discuss your concerns and treatment options
- Hear about our treatment centres and costs
- Gain fast access to a therapist
Further information
What causes PTSD?
PTSD usually develops after a traumatic event or series of events. However, it’s not yet known why some people go on to develop the disorder, while others who go through similar things don't.
The types of traumatic events that can cause PTSD include:
- Serious road accidents
- Violent personal assaults, such as sexual assault, mugging or robbery
- Sexual abuse, violence or severe neglect
- Witnessing violent deaths
- Military combat
- Being held hostage
- Terrorist attacks
- Natural disasters, such as severe floods, earthquakes or tsunamis
Other factors that may contribute to you developing PTSD following a traumatic event include:
- Having a history of or existing mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression
- Having a lack of social support following the event
Signs and symptoms of PTSD
The signs and symptoms of PTSD include:
- Reliving the experience through nightmares and flashbacks
- Numbness and loss of deep feelings
- Difficulty concentrating
- Suffering painful emotions such as guilt, anger and anxiety
- Avoidance of dealing with grief, anger and anxiety
- Avoidance of activities that could trigger memories of the event
- Depression
- Alcohol or drug use
- Headaches, dizziness and chest pains
- Irritability and difficulty sleeping
Reliving the experience
The most widely reported symptom of PTSD, and arguably the most distressing, includes re-experiencing the initial source of trauma. This can happen in the form of flashbacks, nightmares, thoughts and physical sensations, causing sweating and trembling.
Avoidance
Due to the debilitating nature of PTSD, the desire to avoid reliving the experience or even thinking about the event can be strong enough to make you avoid people and places linked to the source of trauma. This might be because you're worried this will trigger uncomfortable thoughts or emotions.
Talking about the event can also be particularly difficult when you have PTSD, which might lead to you ‘pushing’ distressing memories away from your pattern of thought. For example, you might use distractions such as work to avoid having to think about how it has affected you.
Persistent anxiety
Every stressful or traumatic life event will cause most people to experience heightened emotional reactions as the brain tries to process it. If you have PTSD, these feelings are heightened to the point where you may regularly feel anxious and ill at ease, making it difficult for you to settle.
This state of mind is also known as hyperarousal, and can cause symptoms such as:
- Irritability
- Anger
- Insomnia
- Difficulty concentrating
How Priory treats PTSD
PTSD can have a negative impact on all areas of your life. However, PTSD is treatable and it’s possible to make a full recovery. At Priory, we can provide you with tailored PTSD therapy, treatment and counselling.
Outpatient treatment for PTSD
During outpatient treatment for PTSD, you'll come to one of our hospitals or wellbeing centres for a set number of hourly sessions with a consultant or therapist. These usually happen on a weekly basis.
This type of treatment is useful if you don’t need more intensive treatment for your PTSD and it also means you can attend flexible appointments at a time and a place that’s convenient for you. You can start outpatient therapy straightaway or this can be used as a step-down from more intensive treatment, if needed.
At our wellbeing centres, we offer a tailored outpatient therapy package that’s been specially designed to treat PTSD. This offers:
- A set amount of 1:1 therapy sessions
- Certainty of price for your initial treatment
- Discounted rates
- A tailored treatment plan
Inpatient treatment for PTSD
During inpatient treatment, you’ll stay at one of our hospitals on a residential basis and receive intensive treatment for your PTSD.
This type of treatment is helpful when it comes to treating more severe PTSD. This is because it gives you the chance to spend some time away from your day-to-day life in order to remove any negative influences that may be making your PTSD worse. It’s also very structured and provides round-the-clock care, helping you to get well.
The thought of coming into hospital can be daunting at first. However, this type of treatment can have a positive impact on your quality of life and help you make a full recovery. It means you have the time, care and attention you need to fully address your PTSD and take steps towards a healthy future.
Day care for PTSD
You can also receive PTSD treatment as part of our day care programme. During day care, you'll come to one of our Priory sites for a certain number of days each week, where you'll take part in PTSD therapy.
However, unlike inpatient treatment, you won’t stay at the hospital overnight but will go home following a day of treatment. Day care can be used as a step-down from inpatient treatment or a step-up from outpatient treatment, if needed.
Day care is useful if you don’t need 24-hour support for your PTSD, but still need some level of structured care.
Priory services in your region
Our sites across the UK provide specialist treatment for a range of mental health conditions. Our regional locations include:
