PTSD Treatment Center & Hospital in Utah

Learn more about PTSD treatment at our hospital in Salt Lake City

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that results from experiencing a severe trauma. Suffering from PTSD can make you feel like you’re going crazy – you can’t relax during the day and you can’t sleep no matter how much you try. Your brain is always scanning the environment, looking for danger, even in situations where you’re safe. People may not relate to what you’re going through, which can make keeping friendships and romantic relationships a major challenge. You’re haunted by the experience and no matter how you try, you can’t escape the flashbacks and intrusive memories of the event. You may feel you’ll never recover from this horrible disease.

At Highland Ridge Hospital, located in Salt Lake City, we’ve helped a great many teens, adults, and older adults living with post-traumatic stress disorder learn to cope with their symptoms, reduce the severity of symptoms, and go on to lead a happy, productive, and fulfilled life.

Helping a loved one or family member get treatment For PTSD

When your loved one is struggling with the overwhelming symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, you may be at a loss as to how to help them. You may not want to say anything for fear of triggering an episode, but you feel your loved one desperately needs help. Here are some tips for approaching your loved one and guiding him or her into the treatment at a hospital or center he or she needs:

Patience: People who have PTSD may balk at changes and feel shame that they’re struggling with PTSD while many others who went through a similar trouble do not. They may feel isolated and alone, unsure of how to even bring up the idea of PTSD. Be patient with your loved one. His or her outbursts and anger are not directed at you; your loved one may not even be able to control his or her moods. Be patient and kind.

Research PTSD: Being able to approach your loved one from a place of knowledge and compassion can be the difference in them agreeing to treatment at a hospital or treatment center and flat-out denying the need for treatment. Learning as much as you can about the symptoms of PTSD will allow you to be your loved one’s advocate and make sure he or she is given the care he or she deserves.

Listen Openly: PTSD is an anxiety disorder shrouded in shame. Most people feel weak for developing the disorder after the trauma because others did not. They may be hesitant to talk about their feelings as they fear being judged. Listen openly and compassionately to your loved one. Ask questions and really listen to the responses.

Why seek help for PTSD

Living with PTSD is like living through a nightmare. You’ve had to avoid so many places, things, and people who remind you of the event. You’re trapped in your mind, experiencing and re-experiencing the event during the waking hours, and your nights are filled with nightmares and night terrors. You know you need to get help from a professional treatment center or hospital, but it’s terribly hard to admit just how much you are suffering.

Inpatient care at a treatment center or hospital that consists of medication management and a wide array of therapeutic modalities has been shown to be particularly effective for people who have post-traumatic stress disorder. An inpatient program at a treatment center or hospital allows you to get away from daily life and stress and enter into an atmosphere guided by healing. Through an inpatient program, you’ll be able to learn the skills you need to be successful in your recovery from post-traumatic stress disorder.

Our philosophy & benefits of PTSD treatment

At Highland Ridge Hospital, our multidisciplinary team of medical and mental healthcare professionals are dedicated to one thing – helping the children, teens, adults, and older adults who come to us. You’ll see our commitment to caring in the way we’re always available to talk. Your treatment at Highland Ridge Hospital team will meet on a regular basis to make sure you’re meeting and exceeding the treatment goals you’ve set with your team and adjusting your plan of care as needed. We believe that you’re a whole person who needs individualized care and attention to best recover from post-traumatic stress disorder, and we work tirelessly to make certain you receive only the most up-to-date and empirically validated treatments. At Highland Ridge Hospital, our commitment is to you.

PTSD treatment options available at Highland Ridge Hospital

When you come to our treatment center for help, you’ll first undergo a series of examinations that will allow us greater insight into your strengths and challenges. A medical examination will be done to determine if you are struggling with any medical conditions and if you’ve been self-medicating with drugs or alcohol. Our psychiatric evaluations at our treatment center will allow us to determine the severity of your PTSD as well as the presence of any co-occurring mental health disorders that may be complicating your recovery. We’ll use the results of these evaluations to work with you to create a plan of care that meets all of your needs.

Medication may be used at the beginning of your stay at our treatment center to help manage unpleasant symptoms and better allow you to participate in your treatment. Many people will be able to taper off medications as they learn new coping skills. Some people may require longer-term medication management as a part of their treatment plan. The usage of medication will be based upon the findings of the treatment team.

Individual therapy is an excellent way for people who have PTSD to begin to explore their feelings about the traumatic event that precipitated the disorder. You’ll be able to work through some of the trauma you experienced while at Highland Ridge Hospital, the symptoms that are causing you great difficulty, and ways to cope with the symptoms.

Group therapy can be an excellent tool for people recovering from post-traumatic stress disorder, as PTSD often creates tremendous feelings of isolation among those who suffer from it. Groups at our treatment center will allow you to connect with other people who are experiencing similar challenges, so that you can all grow, learn, and heal from each other. Highland Ridge Hospital proudly offers both process-based and psychoeducational groups to our patients that will allow you to learn more about your illness and process your feelings.

Family therapy is a vital part of recovery from post-traumatic stress disorder as family support can help you get through this trying time. Family therapy at Highland Ridge Hospital will help mend any problems in the family system, allow your loved ones to share their feelings about your PTSD, and let your loved ones take a more active role in your recovery. We’ll also connect your loved ones with community resources to allow for their continued healing.

As a holistic treatment center, Highland Ridge Hospital is proud to offer a variety of experiential methods to complement the traditional therapies you’ll receive. These methods may include:

• Art therapy
• Pet therapy
• Recreation therapy
• Yoga
• Music
• Leisure time
• Meditation
• Craft time
• Movie nights
• Wii games
• Gym & exercise time
• Puzzles, cards, and board games

Continuing care at Highland Ridge

As your time at Highland Ridge Hospital  comes to an end, you’ll closely work with our discharge planner to create a plan of care for your continued recovery. Some people choose to step down into a structured partial hospitalization program (PHP) or intensive outpatient program (IOP) and slowly reintegrate back into their community. Others feel they’ve made enough progress during their stay at our treatment center that they’re able to return home with referrals to traditional outpatient therapy and community resources.

Our treatment center is in Salt Lake City (Midvale) and serves residents from all over Central and Northern Utah. Call one of our admissions counselors today for a free, confidential screening to see how Highland Ridge Hospital can help you regain a happy, healthy life.

Frequently asked questions about PTSD treatment

Where are the PTSD hospitals is Utah?

Several hospitals and other inpatient treatment centers in Utah can provide comprehensive care for individuals who have been struggling with PTSD. With its considerable population density, the greater Salt Lake City metropolitan area is home to many such hospitals and programs, but other parts of Utah are also home to hospitals where you can receive effective care for PTSD and other mental health disorders.

Are there inpatient PTSD treatment programs?

Yes, inpatient treatment programs have provided many people with the care that they needed in order to manage their PTSD symptoms and achieve an improved quality of life. In addition to allowing you to step away from the stresses and pressures of daily life, inpatient treatment for PTSD also features comprehensive services and around-the-clock care. Depending upon the nature and severity of your PTSD, inpatient treatment may be the optimal choice.

Who are the best PTSD treatment centers?

As is the case with all forms of mental health care, identifying the best treatment center for PTSD is a matter of locating the center that is the best fit for you. If you are researching PTSD treatment centers for yourself or on behalf of a loved one, talk to representatives of the centers you are considering to ensure that they can offer personalized treatment based upon a thorough assessment of your needs. Also confirm that the center can provide the types and levels of programming that will best prepare you for long-term success.

What are the long-term effects of untreated PTSD?

The impact of PTSD can vary widely from person to person based upon a host of individual factors. However, the following are among the more common long-term effects that can occur if a person does not get effective professional treatment for PTSD:

• Deterioration of relationships with friends and/or family members
• Substance abuse and addiction
• Onset or worsening of co-occurring mental health disorders
• Social withdrawal and isolation
• Self-harm, suicidal ideation, and/or suicidal behaviors

What are some statistics of PTSD?

The National Center for PTSD has reported the following about the prevalence of trauma and PTSD among adult men and women in the United States:

• More than half of all Americans will experience at least one type of trauma in their lifetime
• About 8 percent of the U.S. population will develop PTSD at least once
• The rate of PTSD among women is about 2.5 times higher than the rate of PTSD among men

How does PTSD treatment change you?

Effective treatment for PTSD will empower you to regain control over your thoughts and behaviors. While in treatment for PTSD, you will learn about the disorder, participate in a variety of therapeutic activities, and develop healthy and productive coping skills. If your PTSD is accompanied by a substance use problem or other mental health disorder, you will also get the help that you need to effectively address those challenges as well.

How effective is the treatment of PTSD?

Several types of treatment have proved to be effective at helping people overcome the distress of PTSD, learn to manage their symptoms in a healthy manner, and experience a significant increase in quality of life. The effectiveness of any form of treatment for PTSD should be evaluated only on its ability to help you achieve your unique treatment goals. For some people, limited outpatient therapy may be the most effective option, while for others, residential care followed by step-down support may be necessary.