What is PTSD (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder)?

PTSD (Posttraumatic stress disorder) is a mental health concern that some people develop after experiencing or being a witness of a life-threatening event. These events can include natural disasters, accidents, sexual assault, death or combat. It is normal to have upsetting thoughts and feelings in regards to a life-threatening experience and it may be difficult to carry out daily activities such as work, school, or socializing. If the symptoms persist longer than a few months, you may have PTSD. PTSD symptoms may have a later onset or come and go overtime. 

PTSD can happen to anyone, at anytime. Each individual may have a range of PTSD symptoms that may include; flashbacks, nightmares, difficulty sleeping and concentrating, panic, depression or anxiety, feelings of hopelessness, shame or despair. You may avoid situations or people that remind you of the event, having negative feelings about yourself, guilt, shame or hyper-arousal (angry, irritable, startle easily). 

What treatments are available for PTSD?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has shown to be highly effective in treating symptoms associated with PTSD. CBT is used to help you learn skills to help you understand your thoughts and feelings associated with the trauma you experienced. Changing how you think about the trauma can help you change the way you feel about the trauma and help alleviate negative symptoms.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a form of treatment that helps rewire the brain by focusing on sounds or hand movements which processing your trauma and helps you work through the traumatic memories.

Medications for PTSD

Some medications can be effective for PTSD. There are two forms of medication that may help with negative symptoms of PTSD. The first method is prescription medication that is prescribed by a psychiatrist (MD). A second form of medication is Medical Cannabis. There are various forms of medical cannabis that can help with sleep issues, anxiety, depression, nausea, fatigue and more. Medical cannabis may be an alternative medication option for those who have tried prescription medications with little to no relief. 

How do I obtain a Medical Cannabis Card in Illinois?
Obtaining a medical cannabis card in Illinois has various steps, but we are here to help guide you through the process. What is the first step? Schedule an appointment to be evaluated by one of the experienced counselors at Life Balance Counseling to see if you qualify for a PTSD diagnosis. Once we determine if you have a qualifying diagnosis per the State of Illinois requirements, we will help guide you in finding a Medical Doctor that can continue helping you in step 2 of the Medical Cannabis Card process.  Our counselors will explain the application process so that you can make the right decision for yourself.  

What are the costs?

A one-time fee for the initial PTSD Evaluation is $150.00. This includes a 30-minute PTSD Evaluation, coordinating your referral letter and documentation (PTSD Evaluation, qualified diagnosis if applicable, and any medical records per your signed consent) to one of the approved medical doctors participating in the Illinois Medical Cannabis Program. LBC will provide a list of doctors participating in the program and help guide you in understanding the application process, step by step. The counselors at Life Balance Counseling will join you on your journey and determine whether on-going counseling will be helpful to alleviate your symptoms. On-going counseling may be covered by your private insurance, or you may choose to pay out of pocket for services.

Please feel free to call us at 847.220.6981 or email us at info@lbcousneling.com
for more information about the services that we offer for PTSD, or contact us online today!