PTSD

Traumatic experiences can alter your life in many ways, but treatment helps you overcome trauma in a safe, effective, and healthy manner. Based out of his office in East Setauket, New York, licensed clinical social worker and psychotherapist Mitchel Eisenstein, LCSW, diagnoses and treats post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) via telehealth. Schedule a virtual evaluation by phone or request one online today.

What is PTSD?

Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is a disorder that stems from undergoing a traumatic experience. It can leave long-lasting effects when not addressed. If you struggle with mental anguish after experiencing a traumatic event, see Mitchel for an evaluation and therapy to overcome often debilitating symptoms.

Which symptoms can PTSD cause?

PTSD can cause the following symptoms:

• Nightmares
• Flashbacks
• Irritability
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Mood swings
• Lack of interest in once-favorite activities 
• Substance misuse
• Getting startled easily
• Distressing memories or thoughts
• Always being on guard for danger
• Avoiding things that trigger distressing memories
• Feeling hopeless, worthless, shameful, or guilty
• Trouble concentrating or sleeping
• Thoughts of suicide 
• Being emotionally numb

PTSD might make it difficult to have success at work, in school, in relationships, or even when caring for yourself or your family members. 

What increases the risk of PTSD?

Anything you deem traumatic may lead to PTSD. Examples of possible causes include:

• Emotional, physical, or sexual abuse
• Violence
• Loss of a loved one
• Childhood neglect
• Military combat
• Being a first responder
• Car accidents
• Natural disasters
• Fires
• Being attacked 

Your risk of PTSD could increase because of another mental health disorder, a family history of mental health conditions, brain chemical changes, a lack of a strong social support network, or having certain personality traits. 

Trauma that’s severe or long-lasting increases the chance of developing PTSD. Treatment can restore a sense of calm and reduce flashbacks, distressing thoughts, nightmares, and depression. 

How is PTSD diagnosed?

Mitchel completes a virtual evaluation to determine if you have PTSD and how to best treat it. He discusses past trauma and your emotions, moods, behaviors, thoughts, lifestyle, medications, and more. 

How is PTSD treated?

Mitchel provides virtual psychotherapy to address PTSD and help you overcome challenging symptoms. He may use:

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
• Exposure therapy
• Voice dialogue
• Anger management
• Stress management
• Mindfulness
• Psychodynamic therapy

He follows up to ensure the treatment is effective and offers weekly individualized, couples, family, or group counseling sessions. It’s also important to have a strong social support network, eat healthy foods, exercise regularly, and get plenty of sleep. 

If you need medication to better manage PTSD, he can provide a referral.

Schedule a telehealth PTSD evaluation with Mitchel Eisenstein, LCSW, by calling his office or using the online booking feature today.