By Melanie Yost
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a brain health diagnosis that develops after someone experiences or witnesses a traumatic event involving a threat to the personal safety of self or others. While it’s often associated with military combat and first responder situations, PTSD can affect anyone—survivors of abuse, accidents, natural disasters, medical trauma or violence. It’s not about weakness; it’s about how the brain and body respond to overwhelming stress.
PTSD symptoms fall into four main categories: intrusive memories (like flashbacks or nightmares), avoidance of reminders, negative changes in thinking or mood, and hyperarousal (feeling constantly on edge or easily startled). For a diagnosis, these symptoms must last more than a month and cause significant distress or impairment. Many people with PTSD also experience depression, anxiety or substance use as they try to manage overwhelming feelings.
Anyone can develop PTSD, but certain factors increase risk. These include a history of trauma, lack of social support, chronic stress, or previous brain health conditions. First responders, veterans, abuse survivors, and even children or caregivers can experience PTSD. Not everyone who faces trauma develops PTSD, but for those who do, the impact can be life-altering without support.
So, what happens in the brain? Trauma disrupts normal brain function. The amygdala (fear center) becomes overactive, while the prefrontal cortex (thinking and regulation) becomes underactive. The hippocampus, which helps differentiate past from present, often shrinks. These changes make it difficult for the brain to accurately process danger, contributing to flashbacks, emotional dysregulation (inability to effectively manage emotions), and hypervigilance. Chronic inflammation and disrupted communication between brain regions also contribute to symptoms.
Traditional treatments for PTSD include trauma-focused therapy (like EMDR or cognitive processing therapy) and medications such as antidepressants. While these help many people, others struggle to find relief. Fortunately, innovative treatments like ketamine therapy and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) are offering new hope.
Ketamine therapy works differently than traditional antidepressants. Originally developed as an anesthetic, ketamine is now recognized for its rapid-acting antidepressant and anti-trauma effects. It works by blocking NMDA receptors in the brain, which increases glutamate and boosts brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). This jumpstarts neuroplasticity—helping the brain form new connections and “rewire” from trauma. Many patients experience fast relief from symptoms like depression, intrusive thoughts and suicidal ideation after just a few sessions.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is another promising treatment. During HBOT, patients breathe 100% oxygen in a pressurized chamber, increasing oxygen delivery to the brain and body. This reduces neuroinflammation, promotes healing, and improves blood flow to damaged areas of the brain. Research, especially with veterans, shows HBOT can improve mood, reduce anxiety, enhance sleep and restore cognitive function in PTSD patients.
While neither ketamine nor HBOT is a cure-all, they are powerful tools that can help trauma survivors find relief when traditional methods fall short. As our understanding of PTSD grows, so does our ability to support healing—not just through talk therapy or medication, but by addressing the physical, neurological, and emotional roots of trauma. With compassionate care and innovative therapies, recovery is not only possible—it’s within reach. If you or someone you love is exploring options for healing, we invite you to reach out and learn more about how we can help.
Melanie Yost is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and owner of Be Well Solutions and Complete Ketamine Solutions in Destin. She has been in the healthcare field for more than 35 years and can be reached at (850) 786-2051.
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