PTSD Specialist

Arjun Reyes MD and Associates

TMS and Ketamine Specialists & Psychiatrists located in Moorpark, CA

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a well-known problem that affects 30% of veterans, but many people don’t realize it also occurs in 4-10% of all adults. In Moorpark, California, Arjun Reyes, MD, specializes in treating anxiety, stress, and depression and has helped many PTSD patients find relief from their troubling symptoms using conventional treatments and innovative therapies, such as ketamine infusions, Spravato®, and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). To schedule an appointment, call Arjun Reyes MD and Associates or book an appointment online today.

PTSD Q & A

What causes PTSD?

PTSD occurs after a traumatic or life-threatening event. You don’t have to directly experience the event. You can develop PTSD when you witness the trauma or learn that a friend or a family member suffered the event.

Many types of trauma can give rise to PTSD. Some of the most common include:

  • Physical assault
  • Sexual assault
  • Gun violence
  • Combat duty
  • Severe accident
  • Death of a loved one
  • Natural or man-made disasters

You may start to experience symptoms shortly after the event, but in some cases, symptoms won’t appear until months or years later.

What symptoms will I develop due to PTSD?

PTSD causes symptoms that are severe enough to affect your daily life. They might stop you from going to social activities or prevent you from going to work, doing your shopping, or fulfilling other responsibilities.

The symptoms caused by PTSD include:

Re-experiencing the event (intrusion symptoms)

You may have nightmares, flashbacks, or persistent memories that make you re-experience the event. This may trigger strong emotions, distress, and physical symptoms, such as shortness of breath.

Heightened arousal

Your emotions or behaviors are different from the way they were before developing PTSD. For example, you may be more irritable or aggressive, have insomnia, or have problems concentrating.

Persistent avoidance

This means you avoid the person or place that reminds you of the traumatic event. You may also try to find ways to avoid thoughts and feelings about the event.

Negative mood or thoughts

These symptoms appear in the form of negative beliefs and expectations or a tendency to blame yourself for causing the trauma. You may also have persistent, negative emotions such as fear, horror, guilt, and anger or become isolated and lose interest in your favorite activities.

How is PTSD treated?

Conventional treatment for PTSD includes medication combined with talk therapy. Dr. Reyes may prescribe antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, or other medications that target specific symptoms, such as insomnia.

As a leader in his field, Dr. Reyes also specializes in innovative therapies proven to treat PTSD:

Transcranial magnetic solutions (TMS)

During TMS, a specially designed helmet sends magnetic impulses into regions of the brain that regulate mental health disorders such as PTSD. The impulses safely stimulate electrical activity, which restores normal brain activity and improves your symptoms.

Ketamine infusions

Ketamine is an anesthetic with a long and safe history of use during surgery. However, it has another mechanism of action. When it’s administered in low doses through an intravenous infusion, ketamine balances brain chemicals, which alleviates PTSD symptoms.

Spravato

Spravato is an FDA-approved prescription nasal spray that can help those who are affected by PTSD. Arjun Reyes MD and Associates provides Spravato treatments in-office. 

If you have PTSD that’s interfering with your life, call Arjun Reyes MD and Associates or book an appointment online today.

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