Stress Response Syndrome

How to Treat Stress Response Syndrome

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When Adjusting Is Difficult

Many times in a person’s life, we need to adapt. Big changes can happen, sometimes unexpectedly, and it can be hard to adjust. In the case of a loss, a traumatic event, or even a positive life change like changing careers or moving to a new city, some people become overwhelmed with the stressful feelings accompanying change. These events or life issues can feel devastating and very difficult to cope with, causing the development of a condition known as stress response syndrome. Luckily, this mental condition has mental health treatment options to help overcome it.

To learn more about the most effective behavioral treatments at a professional treatment facility, please get in touch with Alter Behavioral Health by calling 866-647-2716 today.

What Is Stress Response Syndrome?

Stress response syndrome is called when the mind and body react to an external stressor, causing a person to experience more stress than expected. The “fight or flight” response is triggered, with the body staying alert and ready for so long that the system eventually adapts to cope with high levels of stress, continuing to secrete stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol long after it is necessary.

This syndrome affects how you feel and starts to cause problems in your everyday life. You may have trouble at work, you may experience difficulties in your relationships, and you may begin to develop further mental health disorders like anxiety or depression due to the behavioral and emotional reactions you are experiencing. You may also experience symptoms like:

  • Tearfulness, feeling sad or hopeless
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Loss of appetite or overeating
  • Frustration and irritability
  • Difficulty functioning in daily activities like work or social gatherings
  • Feeling overwhelmed or distressed
  • Avoiding essential things like paying your bills or calling in sick to work
  • Feeling worried, anxious, or stressed out
  • Changes in the way you think and feel about the world\
  • Headaches or stomach aches
  • New, destructive behaviors like drug use, reckless driving, etc.
  • Withdrawal or isolation from people you care about

The good news is that stress response syndrome is absolutely treatable and will not last forever, especially if you receive the proper care and therapy. At Alter Behavioral Health, our team is experienced in treating mental illnesses like stress response syndrome, and we are here now to help you if you are feeling overwhelmed with life.

Who Is at Risk of Stress Response Syndrome?

Anybody can experience stress response syndrome, regardless of age, gender, or lifestyle. It is usually triggered during or after a major life event like experiencing the death of a loved one, having a serious illness, losing a job, ending a relationship, being in an accident, having a baby, or experiencing a natural disaster. Positive or negative in nature, any big change can cause this syndrome to develop.
It may be that certain genetic traits cause some people’s bodies to react more strongly to stress or that a person’s past life experiences and traumatic events can increase a person’s vulnerability.

There is no known way to prevent yourself from developing stress response syndrome, but it has been noted that those with strong community and family support may have an easier time working through major changes, and with proper clinical treatment, anybody can see improvements.

To learn more about the most effective behavioral treatments at a professional treatment facility, please get in touch with Alter Behavioral Health by calling 866-647-2716 today.

9 Impacts of Stress Response Syndrome

Some of the impacts of untreated, long-term stress response syndrome include:

  1. Experiencing burnout and fatigue
  2. A weakened immune system
  3. Reduced stress tolerance
  4. Muscle tension and pain
  5. Digestive issues
  6. Reproductive issues
  7. Increased risk of heart disease, heart attack, and high blood pressure
  8. Memory and cognition impairment
  9. Certain disorders may develop out of feeling long-term, consistent stress, such as mood disorders, anxiety, depression, PTSD, insomnia, and more

Stress Response Syndrome Treatment

Treatment Options for Stress Response Syndrome

The treatment for stress response syndrome is multifaceted and depending on your individual circumstances may include treatments like:

  • Interpersonal therapy – This type of therapy is a one-on-one conversation with your therapist in which you explore current events in your life. You will look at your current relationships, the changes in your life, and how these factors may affect your behavior and stress responses. Understanding the “why” behind your feelings and actions can be a huge relief and can prompt changes in the way you think about things and in your actions as well
  • Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) – This is a form of talk therapy that focuses on challenging your thoughts and making changes to the way you behave. CBT helps people to see the connection between thoughts, emotions, and actions, making big mindset changes that can help the client move forward in life on a more positive trajectory
  • Prescription medications – Not everybody needs medication to treat the symptoms of stress, but if you have a co-occurring mental health disorder or have further issues that cannot be treated by therapy alone, certain psychiatric medications may be included in your treatment program. Your dosage and diagnosis will be made by qualified professionals and maybe a long-term or short-term temporary prescription depending on your individual needs
  • Living a healthier life – eating well, getting exercise, seeing things through a positive lens, having a good sense of humor, not taking life too seriously, using relaxation techniques, and taking time for gratitude can help reduce feelings of everyday stress
  • Support at home – surrounding yourself with supportive people and cultivating healthy friendships can provide you with more support and give you somebody to talk to when life feels overwhelming

To learn more about the most effective behavioral treatments at a professional treatment facility, please get in touch with Alter Behavioral Health by calling 866-647-2716 today.

Alter Behavioral Health Is Ready to Help If You’re How to Treat Stress Response Syndrome

The thought of seeking help when you are experiencing high levels of stress may feel like you are adding even more work onto your already overloaded plate, but the reality is that the sooner you get treatment for your stress disorder, the better you will feel.

There are many strategies and coping mechanisms you can use in your daily life to protect yourself and deal with difficult life situations, and with the help of the caring and compassionate team at Alter Behavioral Health, you will learn how to transform your life into a positive way, while improving the way that you feel on a day-by-day basis.

Our skilled therapists and clinicians use data-directed holistic care in our California-based residential facility to address each of our client’s physical, psychological, social, and educational needs so that we can lead them down a personalized path to healing. Treatment at Alter Behavioral Health is provided inside a safe, calming environment where you can stop, regroup, and focus on your healing without life’s everyday stress getting in the way.

Your customized care plan may include different types of therapy and medication. For some, staying in our residential center is ideal, while others can opt for regular visits while living at home in an outpatient treatment program. We will work hard to treat stress’s physical and psychological impact on your current condition and give you useful tools to help you with future stress.

If you are feeling overwhelmed by the stress in your life and are wondering what you can do to overcome this difficult time, please call 866-647-2716. Our team will answer your questions and help you to decide whether residential treatment with our team is appropriate for your needs.

autism in adults

4 Types of Autism in Adults

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Experiencing the World in a Different Way

People living with autism spectrum disorder, both children and adults, explore and experience the world in their own unique way. Autism is a lifelong developmental disorder that has impacts on a person’s social and cognitive abilities. As this is a disorder characterized as being on a spectrum, there are rarely two people with autism that have shared experiences. Each person has their own unique challenges and successes within their diagnosis — and it’s important that both aspects are recognized and honored. When a person is living with autism, it’s critical for them and their loved ones to have knowledge and awareness about the symptoms and impacts of autism to support them to thrive and have a happy, fulfilling life. Read on to learn more about the types of autism in adults.

To learn more about the most effective behavioral treatments at a professional treatment facility, please get in touch with Alter Behavioral Health by calling 866-647-2716 today.

What Are the Signs of Autism in Adults?

There is a common misconception that autism is always diagnosed in childhood. While the hope is to have early detection and diagnosis of autism, there are times when children grow up without a diagnosis. Some of the common signs of the types of autism in adults can include the following:

  • Difficulty regulating emotions.
  • Challenges with making conversation.
  • Experiencing challenges in making or keeping friendships.
  • Having discomfort with making eye contact.
  • Inflexible thought patterns.
  • Demonstrating repetitive behaviors.
  • Difficulty relating to people and understanding others’ emotions. 
  • Social anxiety. 
  • Only have interest in a few, limited activities.
  • Showing extreme interest in one particular hobby or topic. 
  • Having a preference for solo activities. 
  • Making involuntary noises, such as clearing the throat or making certain sounds. 
  • Difficulty reading or understanding body or facial language. 
  • Inability or struggle to understand sarcasm. 
  • Frequent monologues or talking about certain topics. 
  • Challenges dealing with change. 
  • Reliance on the need for a daily routine. 
  • The need to rearrange items in a certain order. 
  • Being hypersensitive to certain sounds or smells. 
  • Substantial visual or auditory learning skills. 
  • Increased knowledge and expertise in certain subjects, such as math, science, or music.
  • Retaining information quickly and remembering information for long periods of time. 

To learn more about the most effective behavioral treatments at a professional treatment facility, please get in touch with Alter Behavioral Health by calling 866-647-2716 today.

4 Types of Autism in Adults

adults with autism

There are 4 common types of autism in adults: 

Asperger’s Syndrome

This form of autism, also known as Level 1 autism spectrum disorder, is characterized by high levels of intelligence and strong verbal communication. Challenges that adults living with Level 1 autism might face include challenges in switching activities, executive functioning problems, difficulty expressing emotions, difficulties in peer interactions, or inflexibility in thoughts or behaviors.

Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD)

This form of autism is characterized by a delayed onset of developmental problems in social functioning, motor skills, or language. Typically, normal development will occur until it reaches a certain point in the person’s developmental stage, and the person will begin to regress in functioning and capability. 

Kanner’s Syndrome

This is often described as “classic autism” by some doctors. People living with Kanner’s Syndrome will appear alert and responsive in conversation and day-to-day activities. Some challenges they may experience include a lack of emotional attachment to others, uncontrollable speech, challenges with communicating or interacting with others, and a high capacity for rote memory but difficulty in learning other areas.

Pervasive Developmental Disorder

This is a mild form of autism spectrum disorder that has a range of symptoms centered around language and social development. 

To learn more about the most effective behavioral treatments at a professional treatment facility, please get in touch with Alter Behavioral Health by calling 866-647-2716 today.

How Are Autism Spectrum Disorders Diagnosed in Adults?

Autism is often diagnosed in childhood; however, if you or someone you know thinks they may be living with one of the types of autism in adults, there are steps you can take to get formally diagnosed. The first step if you believe you may be living with autism is to speak with your doctor about the signs or symptoms that you’re experiencing. Your physician can provide you with referrals to speak with a psychiatrist or neuropsychologist that can complete a formal autism spectrum assessment. An assessment may include speaking with a psychologist about your childhood experiences socially, in school, and with developmental growth and stages. You may also be asked to explore how your adulthood experiences have been thus far.

Another part of the ASD assessment can include psychiatric testing or going to a speech pathologist who will assess your social and communication skills. All information collected will be used to determine if you have autism spectrum disorder.

What Causes Autism?

There is no specific cause for autism spectrum disorder. There has been research that suggests there are certain risk factors that have been linked to ASD. Risk factors include: 

  • Genetic risk factors: Research indicates that there is a higher probability for families living with autism to pass it on to children. While this is not a direct link to autism, it can increase the risk for some children.
  • Environmental risk factors: This includes factors such as advanced parent age, pregnancies spaced within one year of each other, and pregnancy or birth complications.
  • Premature birth: Preterm babies can have an increased risk of autism spectrum disorder. 
  • Other medical conditions: Children with certain medical conditions can have an increased likelihood of developing autism. 

Living with an Autism Diagnosis

People living with an autism diagnosis have the ability to live healthy, fulfilling lives. It doesn’t mean your life stops if you’re diagnosed with autism in adulthood. In fact, many adults that are diagnosed with autism get the unique opportunity to learn more about themselves, their behaviors, and how they interact with the world around them. Often, this provides valuable insight into a person’s past and childhood, including certain challenges that they may have experienced throughout their developing years. It can help to shed light on relationship struggles throughout childhood or during adulthood. These realizations can lead a person down a clear path of treatment and healing to learn effective behavior and emotional regulation techniques that will assist them in thriving in the future. As you reflect on your past, you can identify what has worked for you before and get to know your strengths so you can utilize these strengths and abilities moving forward in your life. 

Is Treatment Available for the Types of Autism in Adults?

Yes, there are treatment methods available for adults with autism that can vary in styles and focuses for treatment and behavior management. It’s important to mention that treatment for autism is not intended to be a cure but rather a tool for managing any symptoms and maintaining healthy emotional, behavioral, and developmental functioning. There are various forms of therapy that work to target specific symptoms or areas of concern, such as communication, social interactions, or behavioral patterns. A therapist can help you identify these habits or challenges and learn tools to overcome any barriers you’re experiencing. Depending on your specific circumstances, you may also wish to participate in vocational rehabilitation that aims to support you in developing or gaining workplace-related skills. 

Alter Behavioral Health Offers Support for All Types of Autism in Adults

At Alter Behavioral Health, we value the incredible strengths and assets that adults living with autism bring to this world. We know that as an adult who is just receiving a diagnosis of autism, it can feel overwhelming to figure out what your next steps are. Our team is here to help you receive the appropriate therapies and support you need to help you prosper and thrive in your day-to-day life and shine your beautiful insight and soul to the world around you. Contact Alter Behavioral Health today to let our team work alongside you to give you the tools and support you need to have the fulfilling, prosperous life you want. We can help with all of the types of autism in adults. Call us today at 866-647-2716 today to learn more.

Blue Cross Blue Shield Behavioral Health

Blue Cross Blue Shield Mental Health Coverage

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Insurance Can Help Cover Therapy and Treatment

Mental health disorders are common among Americans, with approximately one in five currently living with an ongoing mental health disorder. The need for effective mental health treatment methods is more predominant than ever. At Alter Behavioral Health, we understand the impacts of mental health disorders when they go untreated, and our team is here to empower you to see that treatment options can stabilize your mental health. That’s why knowing that we accepted Blue Cross Blue Shield mental health coverage is essential.

With the right treatment approaches and clinical diagnoses, you’ll gain the coping strategies, behavioral management tools, and medical treatments necessary to help you regulate your mental health functioning. If you’re seeking mental health therapy and treatment but are curious about the cost of your treatment program, there are options to help, including insurance coverage for mental health treatment that can pay for a portion of or all of the costs.

To learn more about the most effective behavioral treatments at a professional treatment facility, please get in touch with Alter Behavioral Health by calling 866-647-2716 today.

Does Blue Cross Blue Shield Cover Therapy?

Blue Cross Blue Shield offers coverage for a number of leading mental health therapies. Depending on your specific network plan, the range of Blue Cross Blue Shield mental health coverage offered will vary — you can have partial or full-cost coverage. If you receive BCBS insurance from your employer, they can provide specific benefits for employees and customize the insurance plans offered to their staff. Depending on the specific employer insurance plan, stipulations or deductible costs may be associated with accessing coverage for mental health treatment in your insurance policy. There may also be specific steps in accessing your Blue Cross Blue Shield mental health coverage. To find out the full details and steps required for your coverage, speak with an insurance representative who can explain the coverage included in your individual insurance policy.

Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance coverage includes behavioral health therapy methods that support you in understanding your triggers and responsive or reactive behaviors while developing coping strategies for emotional regulation and crisis management. Your insurance can also cover evidence-based treatments, including psychoanalysis or therapeutic services.

What Else Does BCBS Cover for Mental Healthcare?

Mental health disorders encompass several disorders with their own symptoms and impacts. In order to treat each patient with the right therapy or treatment method, you must be provided with appropriate levels of care specifically geared toward the individual symptoms you’re experiencing. This can be done through various comprehensive treatment methods, including evidence-based therapy, holistic therapies, behavioral analysis, and access to clinical or medical assessments and treatments.

Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance plans can include additional therapy methods that offer specialized, personalized treatment approaches for specific symptoms of mental illness. The majority of insurance plans with Blue Cross Blue Shield include:

  • Residential treatment: Attending a residential treatment program for short- or long-term therapy programs.
  • Applied behavioral analysis: This is common within autism treatment. Patients can develop specific skills in various domains for developmental functioning such as social skills, communication, academic skills and success, maintaining hygiene or personal grooming, and developing motor skills.
  • Emergency mental health care: There are times when the symptoms you are experiencing can become overwhelming and challenging to manage. You must receive immediate psychological and therapeutic care to address problematic thinking and emotional responses to maintain your safety and well-being during those times. Emergency mental health care is available day or night to access clinical or therapeutic care to stabilize your symptoms and keep your mental health functioning stable and healthy.
  • Other mental health services: Each insurance plan covers various forms of treatment. Depending on your plan and your required needs for treatment, you may be able to access specific alternative healing methods to stabilize your mental health condition.

Blue Cross Blue Shield Mental Health

Do I Need a Referral for Blue Cross Blue Shield Mental Health Coverage?

There is no referral needed for Blue Cross Blue Shield policyholders. If you’re a policyholder that has coverage under an Advantage plan, you can freely seek out and access mental health treatment without having to see your primary health care provider for a clinical referral. If you’re a Medicare policyholder through Blue Cross Blue Shield, all mental health services are covered within your plan and you can access the appropriate mental health care providers without specific referrals or additional costs.

To learn more about the most effective behavioral treatments at a professional treatment facility, please get in touch with Alter Behavioral Health by calling 866-647-2716 today.

4 Things to Consider When Choosing a Clinic for Mental Healthcare

When you’re seeking mental health treatment or therapy, there are a number of factors to consider that ensure you’ll find appropriate, effective methods that support you in maintaining stable mental health functioning. There are various clinics and treatment programs to choose from, so when you’re researching where you might get therapeutic support, consider the following aspects:

  1. Which mental health practitioners do you need: Mental health treatment can be provided through psychiatrists, psychologists, licensed social workers, psychiatric nurses, counselors, marriage or couples therapists, and physicians. Determine the levels of care that you require to choose the appropriate mental health practitioners who can treat the symptoms of your mental health condition.
  2. Form of treatment: You can access a residential treatment program or outpatient counseling sessions. Residential treatment invites you to stay within a safe, supportive environment that is staffed with therapeutic and medical staff that guide you through your treatment process with the latest and most effective evidence-based methods. Attending counseling in an outpatient capacity allows you to stay at home while receiving the individual care you require to gain coping skills and tools.
  3. Assessments completed with patients: If you have been experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition but haven’t received a formal diagnosis, you’ll want to find a mental healthcare program to assist in getting a formal diagnosis. Once you’ve received a proper diagnosis, a thorough treatment plan can be effectively created to help bring you on the right path toward a healthy, stable future.
  4. Evidence-based treatment methods: Treating a mental health disorder requires a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses and treats the unique impacts of your mental health within your physical, emotional, and spiritual health. Evidence-based therapy methods ensure that you’re offered a wide range of therapeutic methods supporting a whole-person integrated healing approach.

Alter Behavioral Health Is Proud to Accept Blue Cross Blue Shield Mental Health Coverage

At Alter Behavioral Health, we offer our patients compassionate levels of care to aid in effective mental health treatment. We believe that everyone has the right to access therapeutic services and evidence-based therapy methods to maintain their mental health. Our team strives to break down any financial constraints to your ability to access treatment by accepting Blue Cross Blue Shield mental health coverage. Our patients are offered accurate diagnoses for mental health disorders to provide them with a comprehensive treatment program that includes psychotherapy, medication treatment when needed, and individualized therapeutic care that ensures they can fully recover. Call Alter Behavioral Health today at 866-647-2716 to learn more about our mental health treatment programs and begin your journey to a healthier future.


patient's life was saved

Patient Credits Alter Behavioral Health for Saving Her Life

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Mission Viejo, California—A woman was so happy with the mental health care she received at Alter Behavioral Health, she left a grateful 5-star review on Google.

“My life was saved!!!!” wrote Alexis, who underwent treatment at Alter’s facility in Mission Viejo, California. “What a wonderful experience. Taking time to help myself was the best choice of my life. The staff is caring, attentive, and kind. The personal chef was amazing, cooking healthy meals daily. The food was delicious. Structured daily classes that allowed me to work through personal trauma. Fostering personal growth. The best of the best. Highly recommended.”

Alexis found the compassionate, expert care that all patients receive at Alter Behavioral Health, a residential treatment program with locations throughout Orange County, California. It offers treatment for primary mental health and co-occurring disorders, including attention-deficit/hyperactive disorder, anxiety, depression, disrupted sleep, disrupted sleep, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, personality and mood disorders, suicide ideation, and borderline personality disorder. Autism-informed care is one of its specialties.

patient credits alter for saving her life

Her praise for Alter’s staff is also uncommon; many patients offer enthusiastic reviews of the teams caring for them. Every day, these dedicated professionals live Alter’s mission of transforming lives and contributing to a better world by improving mental health treatment methods and outcomes. To accomplish the task, they use data-directed methods with innovation, compassion, integrity, and constant devotion to excellence.

Alter strives to make high-quality mental health care accessible to adults by applying a modern approach that treats the whole person, not just their condition. It has a particular emphasis on accurate diagnosis. This is often the most crucial point of treatment; if the diagnosis is wrong, there’s a strong likelihood that the following treatment may also be wrong, and the condition will not be resolved. In order to begin with as accurate a diagnosis as possible, Alter’s treatment teams base their diagnoses on current findings in mental health science and combine medication with psychotherapy and other modalities as needed to provide the best outcomes. To ensure a precise diagnosis, teams meticulously assess a full range of symptoms and ensure no condition is overlooked or hastily diagnosed.

Patients continue receiving care even after residential treatment ends, thanks to Alter’s virtual mental health platform, Mindfuli. This innovative approach to aftercare is designed to help patients and counselors stay connected for as long as they need. It’s a virtual program designed to provide a wide range of mental health services services for patients and give support to family members. Patients begin using the platform upon admission to Alter and are paired with Care Counselors to start using it.

Alter provides care in a serene residential facility that is designed to make patients comfortable, which makes them more open to treatment. Rather than the cold, sterile, often-harsh setting of traditional mental health facilities, Alter provides carefully curated outdoor areas, elegant indoor decoration and other amenities to create a warm, welcoming home away from home. The facilities include stunning common areas where patients can relax and watch TV, with balconies affording peaceful views of the surrounding countryside. Patient accommodations feature excellent lighting, comfortable beds and clean, accessible bathrooms. 

It’s all part of Alter’s design as a sanctuary for exploring, treating, and educating patients and their loved ones about their conditions. Each patient’s physical, psychological, social, and educational needs are meticulously assessed, and therapy is designed to treat the patient holistically – body and mind. Each treatment plan is personalized, reflecting Alter’s belief in the individuality of each person’s journey toward healing.

For more information on mental health treatment for yourself or a loved one, visit Alter Behavioral Health or call 866-647-2716.

Can Gender Dysphoria Be the Reason Behind Other Disorder Symptoms?

Can Gender Dysphoria Be the Reason Behind Other Disorder Symptoms?

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An article from the American Journal of Public Health estimates that there are about one million transgender adults in America, with numbers increasing annually. Transgender individuals are particularly vulnerable to experiencing gender dysphoria, a condition marked by severe psychological distress that occurs when an individual’s biological sex does not match their gender identity. Such distress can have long-lasting impacts on an individual’s well-being, especially if it goes untreated.

Similar to any untreated mental health condition, untreated gender dysphoria can increase an individual’s risk of developing mental health disorders and substance use disorder (SUD). For this reason, it is imperative that individuals recognize the necessity of professional treatment in healing from gender dysphoria, co-occurring disorders, and any other associated symptoms. At Alter Behavioral Health, we are passionate about providing gender-affirming care to our clients struggling with gender dysphoria and any associated health concerns. 

What Is Gender Dysphoria?

According to Gender Dysphoria by Garima Garg, Ghada Elshimy, and Raman Marwaha, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) defines gender dysphoria as “a marked incongruence between one’s experienced/expressed gender and primary and/or secondary sex characteristics.” This condition may begin to develop during childhood. However, it is more commonly developed during or after puberty. 

Individuals who experience gender dysphoria often experience an internal sense of chaos, feeling as if they were born into the wrong body. Such turmoil can inevitably affect an individual’s ability to function in daily life, let alone impair interpersonal relationships and inhibit their ability to find their place in the world. 

Symptoms of Gender Dysphoria

The publication titled “Medical Interventions for Transgender Youth,” published by Endotext [Internet], provides a table that identifies the DSM-5 criteria for gender dysphoria. For a proper diagnosis, at least two of the following six manifestations must be present for at least six months:

  • As mentioned previously, “a marked incongruence between one’s experienced/expressed gender and primary and/or secondary sex characteristics”
  • A strong conviction that one is experiencing authentic feelings and reactions of another gender

As well as a strong desire to:

  • Alter or rid one’s sexual anatomy due to marked incongruence in expressed gender
  • Have the sexual autonomy of another gender
  • Be of another gender
  • Be treated as another gender

Moreover, the condition of gender dysphoria “is associated with clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.”

The Heavy Burdens of Gender Dysphoria

Although the level of unease or dissatisfaction that accompanies gender dysphoria can vary, it is often so intense that it impairs an individual’s sense of self. In addition, a person with gender dysphoria is vulnerable to experiencing a plethora of hardships in their daily life. These challenges often interfere with a person’s willingness to seek or pursue mental health treatment. 

As a result of increased stigmatization and discrimination, some of the immense challenges that individuals with gender dysphoria experience include:

  • Economic hardships
    • Increased risk of poverty and unemployment
    • Discrimination in education
    • Increased risk of homelessness
  • Health disparities
    • Increased rates of HIV infection
    • Lack of primary and gender-affirming care
    • High rates of attempted suicide
  • Relational issues
    • Peer, familial, and societal rejection

The Effects of Gender Dysphoria on Mental Health

Individuals who experience gender dysphoria and associated challenges are subject to profound mental health distress. Gender dysphoria can harm an individual’s self-worth, perpetuating feelings of guilt, shame, blame, and more. Further, an individual with gender dysphoria may become fixated on their gender expression, informing the development of eating disorders and other mental health problems.

Some of the specific mental health concerns that often result from gender dysphoria include:

  • Negative self-image
  • Dissociative symptoms
  • Increased conflict in interpersonal relationships
  • Slowed educational or occupational development
  • Suicidal ideation
  • Self-harming behavior
  • The development of mental health disorders:
    • Anxiety
    • Depression
    • Eating disorders
    • Mood disorders
    • Personality disorders
    • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Additionally, individuals with gender dysphoria experience increased risks of addiction and substance use disorder (SUD). In an attempt to treat or resolve unmanageable symptoms of gender dysphoria, an individual may turn to alcohol and other drugs to self-medicate. Moreover, they may feel more compelled to engage in substance use alongside other peers with gender dysphoria in nightlife or party scenes. Not only does substance use only mask underlying gender dysphoria symptoms, but it also makes an individual more vulnerable to developing a co-occurring chemical dependency. 

Treating Gender Dysphoria at Alter Behavioral Health

At Alter Behavioral Health, we pride ourselves on creating customizable treatment plans for all of our clients. We curate these plans using a whole-person approach to care to ensure that each client has the best chance at securing lasting wellness in their lives. In addition to treating a diagnosis or set of symptoms, we customize treatment based on our client’s unique needs and recovery goals. 

Upon arrival at our facility, clients will undergo initial assessments and screenings to properly diagnose any mental health disorders. Proper diagnoses are essential for crafting an effective treatment plan. From there, we work with our clients to identify treatment modalities and approaches that will best fit their needs. Individuals struggling with gender dysphoria and other mental health disorders can find refuge and healing at our facility. 

Gender dysphoria is a complex mental health condition characterized by psychological distress that interferes with an individual’s ability to function normally in daily life. Commonly, gender dysphoria occurs alongside other mental health disorders and symptoms, such as a negative self-image, depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and substance abuse. If you are struggling with gender dysphoria, Alter Behavioral Health can help. We are a mental health treatment facility that applies a modern understanding of care and emphasizes treating a diagnosis as well as the person. We offer a wide range of therapeutic approaches and modalities to ensure that you can achieve lasting symptom management and wellness in your life. To learn more, call us at (866) 691-4386.

How Do I Heal From Family Trauma in a Treatment Program?

How Do I Heal From Family Trauma in a Treatment Program?

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Trauma is an umbrella term that describes lasting symptoms of a problematic event, circumstance, or set of circumstances that occur over time. Unfortunately, we are all at risk of experiencing traumatic events throughout our lives. A particularly uncommon experience that individuals must process, navigate, and overcome is family trauma. If you are looking to heal from family trauma, Alter Behavioral Health is here to help. 

Understanding Family Trauma

“Family trauma” is an umbrella term that encompasses all types of traumatic events that impact an entire family unit. It is important to understand that family trauma may or may not occur within the home environment, consist of all family members, or affect all members in the same way. Still, understanding family trauma and the influence that it has on the development of mental health disorders, substance use disorder (SUD), and other mental health problems is necessary for preventing such consequences and establishing healing for all family members. 

Lasting Consequences of Family Trauma

According to a publication by the National Child Traumatic Stress Network titled “Trauma and Families: Fact Sheet for Providers,” “Traumas can cause traumatic stress responses in family members with consequences that ripple through family relationships and impede optimal family functioning.” Some common consequences of untreated family trauma include:

  • Feeling neglected and misunderstood
  • Lacking self-worth and neglecting personal self-care
  • Worsening family dysfunction and impaired family relationships
  • Issues with identifying, expressing, and managing emotions properly
  • Increased likelihood of internalized or severely externalized stress reactions toward family members
  • Fearing repeated traumatic experiences

Such consequences also place family members at greater risk of:

  • Using alcohol and other drugs to self-medicate
  • Isolation
  • Risk-taking behavior
  • Mental health disorders, such as anxiety and depression
  • Suicidal ideation
  • Impaired attachment

Every type of traumatic event affects the family unit, as well as each family member, differently. Factors such as age, culture, knowledge of trauma, social support system, and relationship with family members can all impact whether or not you develop lasting symptoms of family trauma. 

Regardless of how symptoms of family trauma may present themself, it is necessary that you and your family work to heal from family trauma. It will reduce the risk of SUD and mental health disorders for you and your family members and ensure that traumatic experiences are properly integrated into your life for lasting wellness.

Heal From Family Trauma With Professional Treatment

Working to heal from family trauma is a process that takes time. This process will likely involve the professional aid of a mental health therapist, as there are many obstacles that are likely to surface over the course of treatment and recovery. For example, a common obstacle that you may face is having family members who are unwilling to participate in treatment. There is no doubt that you can work to heal from family trauma alone. However, to ensure lasting healing for your entire family, it is necessary that all members are willing to be vulnerable and engage in treatment together. 

As researchers continue to acknowledge the impact of trauma on the family unit, more treatment facilities are beginning to offer services for the entire family. Each family member can consider participating in individual, trauma-informed therapy sessions in addition to family services, increasing the potential for lasting recovery for the whole family unit. Some examples of family services to help you heal from family trauma include group psychoeducation, group and family therapy, and family support groups. 

Benefits of Family Therapy

According to a publication by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), “Research suggests that behavioral health treatment that includes family therapy works better than treatment that does not.” Some specific benefits of family therapy include:

  • Medication adherence (when members are prescribed mental health medications)
  • Reduced rates of substance use and relapse
  • Stress reduction
  • Reduced psychiatric symptoms
  • Encouraged treatment entry for members with addiction or SUD
  • Improved family dynamics
  • Reduced burden of stress on other family members

What to Expect From a Treatment Program

Although you have likely grasped the value of family services in healing from family trauma, you may still wonder what to expect from treatment. More than likely, you will be recommended to participate in individual therapy sessions in addition to family and group therapy. 

In individual sessions, you will work with a therapist to identify and overcome the root causes of your mental health distress and lasting symptoms of trauma. A variety of therapeutic approaches may be utilized to instill new coping skills and reduce any potential for re-traumatization. Some approaches we utilize at Alter Behavioral Health include:

  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
  • Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
  • Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
  • Prolonged exposure therapy
  • Cognitive processing therapy
  • Stress inoculation therapy
  • Mindfulness strategies, such as meditation 

These approaches may also be utilized by the therapist leading your family therapy sessions. In these sessions, you will work with your family members to develop a variety of new communication, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills. Depending on the unique needs of your family members, the therapist may also utilize trauma-informed approaches to help your family work through past trauma together. 

Family trauma poses complex challenges that can be effectively navigated with the help of professional treatment. As you work to heal from family trauma, it can be beneficial for your family members to participate in family treatment services, including family therapy. This ensures that all family members have the best chance at securing lasting recovery from family trauma. At Alter Behavioral Health, we offer a number of mental health treatment programs for individuals as well as their families. We are passionate about helping you uncover the root causes of your family trauma and supporting you as you integrate those experiences into your life. To get connected with trauma treatment, call us today at (866) 691-4386.

Therapy Covered by Blue Cross Blue Shield

Is Therapy Covered by Blue Cross Blue Shield?

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Alter Behavioral Health Accepts Insurance for Treatment

You can come to Alter Behavioral Health to access mental health therapy covered by Blue Cross Blue Shield. We are an evidence-based treatment center that offers formal care similar to that of a psychiatric hospital, with multi-dimensional treatment programs that incorporate a variety of individualized therapy treatments to promote whole-patient wellness.

At Alter, we treat a variety of mental health issues, including:

  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Autism co-occurring disorders
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Trauma and PTSD
  • ADHD
  • Schizophrenia
  • Borderline personality disorder
  • Dissociative identity disorder

It can be hard to know where to turn when it becomes difficult to take care of yourself or loved ones, go to work, attend classes, or otherwise cope with stress and live your life generally due to a mental health condition. If you have an ongoing mental health concern that is not life-threatening or dangerous in nature and is unsure where to start, please call Alter at 866-647-2716. We accept Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance and will help you determine your next step.

To learn more about the most effective behavioral treatments at a professional treatment facility, please get in touch with Alter Behavioral Health by calling 866-647-2716 today.

What Does Blue Cross Blue Shield Cover?

There are several different plans within the umbrella of the Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) insurance company. Thanks to the 2014 Affordable Care Act, most of these health insurance policies cover a large portion of the cost of mental health care and behavioral health treatments, and in some cases, all of your care may be paid for by insurance.

Mental health treatment centers will often provide different types of therapies and holistic treatments, some of which may not be deemed necessary by BCBS. This means that evidence-based treatments like psychoanalysis, applied behavioral analysis, group therapy, emergency mental health care, and some medications are usually covered by insurance, whereas alternative treatments and services provided outside of a therapeutic environment will not be paid for by your insurance plan.

If your insurance plan is provided through your employer, they may also have made customizations to which benefits are offered. For these reasons, it is always a good idea to check what types of treatments and medications will be covered by your individual plan before beginning treatment. This way, there will be no financial surprises later on.

Are There Deductibles or Copays for Therapy Covered by Blue Cross Blue Shield?

When accessing therapy covered by Blue Cross Blue Shield (or any insurance company, for that matter), you will first need to meet your deductible amount before the coverage kicks in. What this means is that if your insurance policy says you have a $200 deductible for behavioral therapy followed by 100% coverage once it is met, you must pay the first $200 out of pocket, and then after that is paid, the rest will be covered by your insurance.

Copays are a fixed amount that you must pay for every visit to your care provider or every treatment session you undertake. For example, your policy may state that you have to pay 20% of the cost of each visit yourself and your insurance will cover the other 80%, or it may say that you have to pay $30 for each visit, and insurance will cover the remainder.

Before you begin treatment, you need to know whether you have deductibles and copays for mental health services, so you can financially prepare yourself for each visit. You may need to pay the total cost of treatment for the first few visits to meet your deductible, and you may also need to bring a certain amount of money with you to each subsequent visit for the copay amount.

To learn more about the most effective behavioral treatments at a professional treatment facility, please get in touch with Alter Behavioral Health by calling 866-647-2716 today.

How Can I Check BCBS Coverage for Therapy?

Blue Cross Blue Shield makes it easy for policyholders to check what types of treatments and medications are covered. All you have to do is log in to your BCBS member account online, using their website or a mobile app on your phone, and then navigate to the “Go to My Coverage” section. Click on “Medical,” then “What’s Covered.” There is a section about behavioral health care, mental health care, and substance use treatment that you can look through to see what types of care your plan will pay for, what the requirements are to obtain these services, what the copays and deductibles will be, and how much each plan will pay for the services that are covered.

Therapy Covered by Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance

Do I Need a Referral for Therapy Covered by Blue Cross Blue Shield?

Generally speaking, people with an HMO plan will need a referral from their primary care provider to ensure the treatments meet their plan’s requirements. If you have a PPO plan, you may not need a referral, but in some cases, especially if you are coming for inpatient treatment, prior authorization may be required before your claim can be put through or before services are provided. This can be done through your doctor as well.

Each insurance plan is different, and it can be difficult to understand when a referral is needed. If you are uncertain, you can always call customer care at Blue Cross Blue Shield using the phone number on the back of your identification card, and they will help you determine whether referrals are required for your individual case.

To learn more about the most effective behavioral treatments at a professional treatment facility, please get in touch with Alter Behavioral Health by calling 866-647-2716 today.

Call Alter Behavioral Health to Learn About Therapy Covered by Blue Cross Blue Shield

To learn more about the types of therapy covered by Blue Cross Blue Shield and how to get the help you need, please call Alter today at 866-647-2716. We provide specialized care to help deal with primary mental health disorders, using trauma-informed treatment methods with evidence-based and holistic treatments. Our support options can help with medication management, recovery and safe planning, behavioral therapy, family and community support, and nutrition and recreation services in an integrated approach to whole-person wellness.

Our compassionate team of skilled therapists and clinicians understands that getting the proper diagnosis is key to effective and efficient treatment, so we take the time with each of our patients to truly understand what is happening and look at a wide range of symptoms to make sure that they receive the proper diagnosis and care. We then combine social, educational, physical, and psychological care that is individualized to each patient for a whole-patient approach to healing.

Your treatment can continue beyond your stay inside our facility, as we also offer long-term virtual continuing care through Mindfuli. This helpful online platform provides a wide range of services to help support you and your family. When you are admitted to our facilities, you will be onboarded with the site and then paired with a care counselor for access to convenient, long-term online peer support.

To learn more about how Alter can help you or a loved one with a mental health condition, or if you have any further questions regarding your Blue Cross Blue Shield coverage, please call our Irvine, California, team at 866-647-2716 or contact us online. We are here to help you.


alter health

Living With Borderline Personality Disorder

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Alter Behavioral Health Can Treat BPD

Alter Behavioral Health is a safe, comfortable treatment center in Irvine, California, designed to help people living with borderline personality disorder. We have a team of skilled, experienced, and credentialed clinicians and therapists who work hard to provide effective treatment for BPD to each patient. We know that it can be stressful to live with untreated BPD, so our patients’ programs include personalized care that addresses each individual’s physical, psychological, social, and educational needs. You can come to us for treatment without fear of being judged or shamed because we only want to provide a compassionate and thorough holistic treatment for mental illness so you can live with a new, healthy outlook on life, with strong support every step of the way.

To learn more about the most effective behavioral treatments at a professional treatment facility, please get in touch with Alter Behavioral Health by calling 866-647-2716 today.

What Is Borderline Personality Disorder?

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a condition that makes it difficult to regulate emotions. It can cause a person to feel a lot of stress, act impulsively, and experience rapid mood swings. Unfortunately, it can lead to an increased risk of harming oneself. If you are living with borderline personality disorder, you may feel intense emotional pain and desperation, or other symptoms that may include:

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types of mental illnesses

8 Types of Mental Illnesses

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Alter Behavioral Health Can Help

Each year, roughly 1 in 5 American adults experience one of the types of mental illnesses. Even so, the stigma regarding mental illness remains, which is unfortunate because today’s treatments can lead to largely successful outcomes. With treatment, people with mental illness can learn how to effectively manage their condition and improve their quality of life. In many cases, patients who receive treatment can even eliminate symptoms, essentially putting their disease into remission.

Alter Behavioral Health specializes in behavioral and mental health conditions. We treat each person with compassion and dignity, providing a modern understanding of mental illness and treating each patient with the expertise we’re known for. In our care, treatment begins with an accurate diagnosis. At that point, our clinicians can recommend the ideal treatment course with a plan tailored to each patient’s unique needs. We understand that experiencing a mental health disorder or crisis can feel overwhelming. Our clinicians can help you experience relief from your symptoms and develop strategies for successfully managing your condition.

If you are experiencing mental health disorders such as depression or anxiety, be sure to get in touch with Alter Behavioral Health. We specialize in mental health treatment. Let our clinicians help you manage your addiction by developing new coping strategies and learning how to prevent relapse. The following are the various types of mental illnesses that people experience.

To learn more about the most effective behavioral treatments at a professional treatment facility, please get in touch with Alter Behavioral Health by calling 866-647-2716 today.

Mood Disorders

mental illnesses types

Mood disorders are one category of mental illnesses that include many common conditions, including major depression, bipolar disorder, and substance-induced mood disorders. Medical researchers have not uncovered a clear-cut or definitive cause of mood disorders. Many researchers believe, though more study is required, that these disorders are the result of chemical imbalances. Also, some mood disorders seem to be inherited and run through families.

Today, clinicians can treat mood disorders in a variety of ways. Psychotherapy (talk therapy) like cognitive-behavioral therapy is a leading mood disorder treatment. Medications like antidepressants are also crucial for the treatment of mood disorders. Today’s mood disorder treatments and medications are highly effective. However, sometimes patients require more advanced support, such as hospitalization. At Alter Behavioral Health, clinicians evaluate each person’s condition as everyone is different and may require a slightly unique approach. It’s also not uncommon for clinicians to make changes in treatment plans as needed.

To learn more about the most effective behavioral treatments at a professional treatment facility, please get in touch with Alter Behavioral Health by calling 866-647-2716 today.

Anxiety Disorders

There are various types of anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety, phobias, and separation anxiety disorders. Anxiety disorders are characterized by persistent worry and fear. While anxiety is a normal stress reaction, it can escalate and lead to considerable problems that are both mental and physical. People with anxiety disorders may experience symptoms such as:

  • Shortness of breath.
  • Trembling.
  • Nausea.
  • Fear of dying.
  • Catastrophizing.
  • Feeling dizzy.
  • Feeling faint.
  • Abdominal pain.
  • Hot flashes.
  • Rapid heart rate.
  • Feeling detached.
  • Pounding heart.

Today, clinicians treat anxiety with psychotherapy, anti-anxiety medications, and antidepressants. The medications help as they’re extremely effective, but talk therapy is also important. Therapy helps patients confront unhealthy thoughts and patterns that can underscore their anxiety, such as realizing that jumping to thoughts of worst-case scenarios is unhealthy and can trigger more anxious thinking. Clinicians help patients recognize and stop when they are doing that. 

To learn more about the most effective behavioral treatments at a professional treatment facility, please get in touch with Alter Behavioral Health by calling 866-647-2716 today.

Eating Disorders 

Eating disorders impact both physical and mental health. These are serious health conditions that can kill people if not treated. Common eating disorders include:

  • Anorexia nervosa.
  • Bulimia.
  • Binge-eating disorder.
  • Avoidant-restrictive food intake disorder.

Eating disorders are governed by an underlying sense of compulsion to not eat. Symptoms vary depending on the type of disease in question. About 9% of Americans will have some type of eating disorder in their lifetime, according to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders.

People who suffer from eating disorders tend to experience disturbing thoughts and emotions. The disorders can become increasingly serious; many people suffering from eating disorders may require hospitalization to address both psychological and physical problems.

Psychotic Disorders

Psychotic disorders involve abnormal patterns of thinking and abnormal perceptions. These are serious disorders that can also include delusions and hallucinations. People with these disorders tend to lose touch with reality. Some psychotic disorder warning signs include:

  • Withdrawal from family and friends.
  • Lack of emotional response.
  • Decrease in motivation.
  • Exhibiting unusual behavior.
  • Suspicion.
  • Hostility.
  • Strange ideas/beliefs.
  • Hallucinations.

Schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder are among the most common types of psychotic disorders. Clinicians will treat these disorders with medications, and hospitalization may be necessary as well.

Addiction Disorders

Substance use disorders are extremely common. More than 22 million people have an addiction to alcohol or drugs. Substance use disorder involves powerful physical, mental, and behavioral dependencies. Patients need to manage each aspect of addiction to achieve lasting recovery. 

A person can become addicted to some substances with just a few uses. Substances like methamphetamine, heroin, and alcohol have very high relapse rates. With quality addiction treatment, patients can manage their addiction successfully. People can find inpatient and outpatient treatment programs and offerings like medical detox, medication-assisted treatment, and dual diagnosis treatment. 

Although there isn’t a cure for addiction, it can be successfully managed. Many of the best treatment programs feature evidence-based treatments, holistic treatments, and alternative treatments that support lasting recovery. 

Personality Disorders

Personality disorders involve unhealthy patterns of thinking and behaving. These patterns often make it difficult for people to manage their emotions and thoughts. They often struggle to maintain relationships and may suffer from symptoms such as:

  • The unsubstantiated belief that someone is trying to harm them.
  • Hesitancy to confide in other people.
  • Hostile reactions to perceived slights.
  • Struggling to pick up social cues.
  • Flat emotions.
  • Disregard for the feelings of others.
  • The tendency to hold a grudge.
  • Aggressive or violent behavior.
  • Suspicion and distrust.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a common disorder that causes chronic and sometimes uncontrollable thoughts or obsessions. This condition involves unwanted feelings and thoughts that drive a person to perform some type of compulsion. It might be repeatedly checking that doors are locked or that all stove dials are turned off, for example. Other compulsive behaviors common with this disorder include:

  • Repeated hand washing.
  • Number rituals (with counting).
  • Arranging things in a specific way.

Clinicians treat OCD with interventions like cognitive-behavioral therapy and medications. Sometimes a person can benefit from neurosurgical treatment.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder can occur when a person experiences or witnesses a traumatic event such as war or abuse. People with this condition often experience nightmares, flashbacks of the trauma, insomnia, irritability, and anxiety. Clinicians will offer therapies to reduce symptoms and also to help people resolve and cope with past trauma or traumatic events.

Alter Behavioral Health Is Ready to Help Treat Most Types of Mental Illnesses

Whether you are experiencing symptoms of one of the types of mental illnesses for the first time or are struggling to manage a long-term condition, Alter Behavioral Health can help. We rely on evidence-based therapies and medications to treat the gamut of mental illnesses. From symptom relief to long-term management strategies, our treatments help patients move toward effective condition management to achieve improved wellness and quality of life. If you are struggling with a mental health condition, call Alter Behavioral Health at 866-647-2716 to schedule a consultation right away.


Can I Raise My Child Successfully While in Treatment for PTSD?

Can I Raise My Child Successfully While in Treatment for PTSD?

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Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a devastating condition that can impair your sense of well-being as well as interfere with your interpersonal relationships. If you are a parent with PTSD, you may have concerns about your ability to parent well while you are in treatment. First and foremost, recognize that your concerns are valid. Although you may wish you could put your parenting on hold as you establish wellness in your life, raising a child is a never-ending task. Fortunately, at Alter Behavioral Health, we can customize your treatment for PTSD to ensure that you feel confident in your ability to parent well. 

The Challenges of Parenting With a Psychological Disorder

Undoubtedly so, raising a child poses immense challenges for anyone. From learning how to balance family and professional life to ensuring that you are meeting your child’s developmental needs, there is no question that parenting is a substantial task on its own. However, attempting to raise a child with a PTSD diagnosis can feel even more concerning and intimidating. 

Fortunately, if you are reading this, you are likely either contemplating participating in treatment for PTSD or have already begun a treatment program. For many parents, beginning treatment is one of the most difficult steps in recovery as it requires you to prioritize your own needs, which can be a painful experience for a mother or father. After all, many people seem to think that proper parenting requires you to place your child’s needs before your own; yet that doesn’t have to be the case. 

Learning how to balance your needs and the needs of your children is an important part of establishing wellness for the whole family. Professional treatment can offer you the education, tools, and skills that you need to honor your mental health needs while working to parent well in recovery. 

Understanding Your Need for Treatment for PTSD

If you have not yet begun treatment for PTSD, it is necessary to understand how your condition will affect your ability to raise your child. As the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) explains, “PTSD makes it hard to do everyday things and this may lead to unmet family needs. Partners and children may feel more stress and talking to one another may be tough.”

Some of the specific ways that PTSD can affect your ability to parent include:

  • Experiencing lasting feelings of guilt, shame, fear, or grief that interfere with your willingness to pursue closeness with your child
  • Feeling hopeless or depressed, so much so that you no longer want to engage in play or other fun activities with your child
  • Appearing increasingly anxious, “on edge,” or grouchy as a result, which can cause your child to question your love for them

Moreover, the VA also explains, “The symptoms of PTSD can cause problems with trust, closeness, communication, and problem solving which, in turn, may impact the way a loved one responds to the trauma survivor.” It is crucial to keep in mind that young children are incapable of understanding that your behaviors (whether anxious, depressed, erratic, etc.) are lasting symptoms of PTSD. Thus, participating in treatment for PTSD will allow you to address any problematic parenting behaviors before they cause potentially long-lasting harm to your child. 

Treatment for PTSD at Alter Behavioral Health

Now that you recognize your need for treatment, it is vital to address available treatment programs that can assist you as you heal. At Alter Behavioral Health, we apply a modern approach to healing and recovery by utilizing individualized, whole-person approaches to care. We offer residential as well as outpatient treatment programs, ensuring that you have the flexible treatment options you need to continue parenting in recovery. 

While trauma treatment will vary from person to person, our treatment for PTSD often incorporates pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy modalities. Some types of trauma-informed therapies we may incorporate into your care include:

  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): Helps you in identifying problematic, false, or otherwise intrusive patterns of thought to effectively promote behavior change
  • Cognitive processing therapy: Helps you reduce all-or-nothing thinking that may be tied to your past trauma
  • Prolonged exposure therapy: Provides a safe environment where you will face your fears and work through your trauma triggers over time
  • Stress inoculation therapy: Exposes you to mild stress triggers, allowing you to actively practice coping skills for more intense triggers associated with PTSD
  • Group therapy: Provides a social support group that allows you to connect and heal with others who also have PTSD
  • Family therapy: Helps to resolve family distress associated with your PTSD diagnosis

Meanwhile, medication is also available to help alleviate any moderate to severe symptoms of PTSD. Some examples of prescription medications we may incorporate into your treatment plan include antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, mood stabilizers, and sleeping medications. 

Raising a child with a PTSD diagnosis can pose many challenges. However, as you become educated about the potential consequences that your child may experience if you leave your PTSD untreated, it will motivate your willingness to participate in treatment and recovery. Undoubtedly, you can raise your child successfully as you gather new tools and skills in treatment for PTSD. At Alter Behavioral Health, we treat a wide range of mental health disorders and psychological issues to ensure that our clients feel confident in their ability to function well in daily life. We can customize your treatment plan, incorporating new skills that will benefit your parenting. To learn more, give us a call at (866) 691-4386.