Crownview Psychiatric Institute specializes in treating adults who have been impacted by acute symptoms of PTSD and other complex mental health concerns.

Our dynamic approach combines evidence-based therapies and innovative adjunct services with robust skills development instruction and focused wraparound support.

Features of our programming include:

  • Welcoming environment for clients with a history of unsuccessful treatment experiences
  • Multidisciplinary team of caring and compassionate treatment professionals
  • Specific clinical modalities to reduce or eliminate traumatic memories/reactions
  • Personalized guidance to help clients develop essential capabilities for independent living
  • Extended length of stay to promote sustained progress toward improved health
  • Detailed planning to prepare clients for a successful return to their family and community

What Is PTSD?

PTSD stands for posttraumatic stress disorder. It is a mental health condition that can develop in the aftermath of one traumatic event, multiple traumatic events, or ongoing exposure to trauma.

The following circumstances can lead to PTSD:

  • Direct involvement in a traumatic occurrence
  • Witnessing a traumatic event
  • Learning the details of a traumatic event involving a loved one
  • Continued exposure to the aftermath of traumatic events

People who develop PTSD experience significant distress due to intrusive memories, recurring nightmares, and other reminders of the traumatic event(s). This disorder can have a profound negative impact on a person’s mood and behaviors.

What Causes PTSD?

Among the general public, PTSD is probably most closely associated with armed conflicts. And while combat can elevate a person’s risk for developing this disorder, it is far from the only type of experience that can precede the onset of PTSD.

Any event that causes a person to fear for their life or for the life of someone they care about can be a precursor to PTSD. In addition to warfare, this can include events such as the following:

  • Childhood abuse or neglect
  • Physical attacks
  • Sexual assault
  • Domestic violence
  • Verbal or online harassment
  • Vehicle accidents
  • Serious illnesses
  • Acts of terrorism
  • Violent weather

The National Center on PTSD reports that between 50%-60% of the population will have at least one traumatic experience in their life, and about 6% of the population will develop PTSD. The rate of PTSD among women (8%) is twice as high as among men (4%).

Signs & Symptoms of PTSD

There is no “standard PTSD experience.” This disorder affects different people in different ways. Here are just a few of the signs that may indicate that a person has PTSD:

  • They have recurring, unwanted memories of the traumatic event. This may include vivid, disturbing nightmares. There may even be times when the person feels as though they are re-living the traumatic event. (This phenomenon is commonly referred to as having a flashback.)
  • They change their behaviors to avoid reminders of the traumatic event. This can include staying away from certain locations, objects, or people. They may also refrain from having conversations or participating in activities that have the potential to trigger upsetting thoughts about the traumatic event.
  • They are prone to sudden, uncharacteristic outbursts of anger and/or violence for no apparent reason. These outbursts may be part of a pattern of reckless, destructive, and otherwise unsafe behaviors.
  • They feel as though they are constantly in danger. They find it difficult or impossible to relax due to an urge to be constantly on the lookout for potential threats. Although they are hypervigilant, they may also be easily startled – and when this occurs, their reaction is often excessive.
  • They appear to be consumed by regret, fear, anger, shame, or guilt. This overwhelming sense of negativity can be directed at themselves, at others, or in both directions. They may believe that they are worthless, that authority figures can never be trusted, and/or that the entire world is intrinsically flawed.
  • They have been using substances. This may be an attempt to self-medicate or numb themselves to the psychological pain they have been experiencing.
  • They have begun to isolate themselves from friends, family members, and other potential sources of support. They have also lost interest in hobbies, topics, or activities that used to be very important to them. It can seem as though they have neither the desire nor the ability to experience joy or even find moments of happiness.

Anyone who exhibits symptoms such as these needs to be assessed and diagnosed by a qualified professional. PTSD is a treatable condition. With proper care, a person can regain control of their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.

Potential Effects of Untreated PTSD

It is not an exaggeration to say that untreated PTSD can be devastating. Depending on the type and severity of symptoms a person develops, virtually every part of their life can be impacted. Here are a few examples of the possible effects of untreated PTSD:

  • Strained or ruined relationships
  • Estrangement from family members
  • Job loss and long-term unemployment
  • Substance use / self-medicating
  • Physical injuries due to reckless behaviors
  • Legal problems due to violent outbursts
  • Medical problems due to poor self-care
  • Onset or worsening of co-occurring mental illnesses
  • Inability to sustain an independent lifestyle
  • Homelessness
  • Self-harm
  • Suicidal thoughts and behaviors

How Crownview Can Help: Treatment for PTSD

At Crownview Psychiatric Institute, comprehensive care for posttraumatic stress disorder often includes a combination of medication, therapies and adjunct services, educational opportunities, and wraparound support.

Medication

Many people who develop PTSD respond well to antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications. All Crownview clients meet with a psychiatrist. If this professional prescribes one of these medications, we will include it in the client’s treatment plan. We will also monitor their medication use and their progress so that we can make any adjustments as needed.

Therapy & Adjunct Services

Our therapeutic approach is guided by the Unified Protocol for Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders. Within this framework, we may incorporate a variety of therapies and adjunct services into each person’s care. Clients who have PTSD may benefit from services such as the following:

  • Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT)
  • Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
  • Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy
  • Prolonged exposure (PE) therapy
  • Seeking Safety
  • GeneSight® testing
  • Spravato® treatment
  • Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)

Education

The educational component of treatment at Crownview includes life skills and work skills instruction. Topics range from personal hygiene and housekeeping to financial planning and interview preparation. Education is an important part of our effort to ensure that every client is prepared to make a successful re-entry into the community and establish a productive independent lifestyle.

Wraparound Support

We assign an experienced case manager to each client at Crownview. In addition to overseeing the client’s treatment and serving as a liaison with their family, our case managers also ensure that they are prepared to perform essential functions such as connecting with community-based services, applying for benefits, acquiring a driver’s license, and navigating the public transportation system.

Community & Connection

Severe cases of posttraumatic stress disorder can be isolating experiences. When new clients arrive at Crownview Psychiatric Institute, they join a vibrant, welcoming community.

Our team is committed to meeting each person exactly where they are. We work closely with our clients to assess their needs and identify their goals. Then we provide the care and support they need to realize their greatest potential.

Every step of the way, our clients share support with others who have faced similar challenges and who are working toward common goals. At Crownview, adults who have struggled to find their place in society discover an environment where they are not merely tolerated, but celebrated.

The opportunity to form and maintain healthy friendships is an essential feature of the Crownview experience. It is also a vital component of our effort to help each person achieve improved health and a more satisfying future.

Learn More Today

If you or someone in your family has been struggling with acute symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder or another mental health concern, Crownview Psychiatric Institute may have the solutions you have been seeking. Contact us today to learn how we can help.