What is PTSD?
PTSD can keep the nervous system locked in threat mode after trauma. Treatment is paced with care and designed to reduce avoidance, intrusive memories, hypervigilance, and the sense that the past is still happening now.
Common signs and symptoms
- Intrusive memories, nightmares, or flashbacks
- Avoidance of reminders, places, conversations, or sensations
- Hypervigilance, startle responses, irritability, or sleep problems
- Guilt, shame, emotional numbing, or disconnection
- OCD symptoms that overlap with trauma-related fear
How Westwood Institute treats it
- Trauma-informed assessment and treatment planning
- Exposure-based strategies when clinically appropriate
- CBT tools for stuck beliefs and avoidance
- Coordination with anxiety and OCD treatment when symptoms overlap
- Skills for grounding, regulation, and restoring routines