A New Model For Care
The following article refers to PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), whereas at Stella, we use the term PTSI (Post-Traumatic Stress Injury). We encourage you to adopt this language to break the stigma against Post-Traumatic Stress. Read more about the shift from PTSD to PSTI here.
Connecting People Experiencing Symptoms With the Most Innovative and Effective Treatments
Are you searching for relief from symptoms of PTSD, anxiety or depression and feeling stuck? You're not alone.
While mental health challenges like PTSD have been referred to as a disorder, many claim it's an injury. Stella and others have suggested a new term – Post Traumatic Stress Injury (PSTI) – in place of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)1.
The traditional approach to treatment for people who have experienced trauma is a combination of trauma-focused psychotherapy and symptom-focused medications. While this is effective for some, it does not work for everyone. The good news is that there are additional options.
This article explores traditional options to Stella's comprehensive treatment plans that connect those experiencing mental health challenges with the most innovative and effective interventions.
Life After Trauma
Did you know that sixty percent of men and fifty percent of women experience trauma at least once in their lives?2 Some experience a trauma once, and others experience multiple traumas over the course of a lifetime. From natural disasters to sports injury to combat to workplace or childhood abuse, trauma comes in many forms.
Research suggests that only 2-11% of those experiencing trauma symptoms are actually diagnosed.3 Although common, no two experiences of trauma symptoms are the same. Common symptoms include feeling agitated, depressed, dizzy, confused, anxious, disconnected and more. These symptoms can be overwhelming and get in the way of everyday life.
Overcoming Barriers to Treatment
The stigma around having mental health challenges can get in the way of those in need of care from finding it.
As those seeking relief from trauma symptoms know, many treatments require a formal diagnosis. To receive one, a mental health provider needs to know about their client's trauma history and resulting symptoms. Sharing this information with someone new can be intimidating and uncomfortable.
It can be difficult to find a trustworthy mental health professional who you click with. It's not unusual to search for months and even meet with multiple providers before finding the right fit. This process can be challenging. For many, it's emotional, time-consuming, and exhausting.
Traditional PTSD Treatments
Talk Therapy
Therapy is a safe space where individuals can learn what they're capable of, develop new insights, and shift their identity as they overcome mental obstacles through collaboration with experts.
Talk therapy requires the client to continuously confront their trauma and consider how it's shaped their life. This work is really hard when the client is overwhelmed by their symptoms. For example, a client could struggle to focus during therapy – despite wanting to – because they're in a mode of hypervigilance, or staying on high alert for incoming threats.
Medication
Although pharmacological interventions can be very effective, and in some cases life saving, they may not be right for everyone.
20-30% of people who start taking prescription medications stop.4 The reasons vary. They may be too expensive (whether or not they're covered by insurance) or cause intolerable side effects. It's important that before making any changes, a licensed provider is consulted.
The Need to Innovate on Traditional Treatments
Relief doesn't come immediately after starting talk therapy and/or taking medication. The time it takes to realize the impact of a new treatment plan varies from person to person. But what is true for everyone is that working toward a meaningful improvement requires commitment, patience, and self-compassion.
20-25% of people diagnosed with trauma symptoms self-medicate with alcohol and drugs.5
There are many talk therapies developed specifically for trauma, including Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Group Therapy,, Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB), and Ketamine Infusion Therapy.
A New Model of Care
At Stella, we continue to innovate like our lives depend on it – because they do.
We're built on an entirely new understanding of care. We believe in the fusion of biological, psychological, and mind-body practices.
Stella simplifies the healing journey by pairing our clients with an Advanced Practice Provider (APP) who reviews their symptoms and medical history to build a custom treatment plan.
To reduce symptoms of emotional trauma, depression, anxiety, stress and Traumatic Brain Injury, our treatment plans may include one or multiple biological interventions such as the Dual Sympathetic Reset (DSR), our advanced Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB), or Ketamine Infusion Therapy. Our clients stand to gain the most from the procedures when they pair them with psychological interventions like individual therapy which we also offer in partnership with All Points North.
Stella partners with Board Certified doctors and best-in-class medical personnel who use the latest, most effective treatment protocols to ensure you achieve the best possible outcome.
Your APP will check in after treatment to assess your symptoms and recommend the next step. They'll work with you so you can get the most out of your care.
How To Get Started
Stella is a team of medical experts, compassionate Care Coordinators, and tireless advocates who are committed to your healing. If you'd like to learn more about Treatment by Stella, call 908-293-7559 or email [email protected].
1. Itkowitz, C. (2021, October 28). Dropping the 'D' in PTSD is becoming the norm in Washington. The Washington Post. Retrieved February 2, 2022, from https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2015/06/30/dropping-the-d-in-ptsd-is-becoming-the-norm/
2. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2018, September 13). How Common is PTSD in Adults? U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Retrieved February 2, 2022, from https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/common/common_adults.asp
3. Ellen C. Meltzer, MD MSc,1 Tali Averbuch, MPP,1 Jeffrey H. Samet, MD MA MPH,1,5 Richard Saitz, MD MPH,1,3,4 Khelda Jabbar, MD,6 Christine Lloyd-Travaglini, MPH,7 and Jane M. Liebschutz, MD MPH1,5 Discrepancy in diagnosis and treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): Treatment for the wrong reason https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3310322/Spoont, M, Arbisi, P., Fu, S., Greer, N., Kehle-Forbes, S., Meis, L., Rutks, R., & Wilt, T.J. (2013). Screening for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in Primary Care: A Systematic Review [Internet]. Washington (DC): Department of Veterans Affairs (US). Available from: https://www.ncbi. nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK126691/