When PTSD brings numbness, breathlessness and tension that do not ease with self-help, professional assessment can help you feel safer and plan treatment. This page explains therapy, medication and the signs that urgent care or hospital admission may be needed.
Yes — seek professional treatment. When self-help is not helping, a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist can assess the episodes and suggest trauma-focused therapy, such as trauma-focused CBT or EMDR, and medication if appropriate.
Hospital admission is not usually needed for panic or PTSD alone. It may be needed if you cannot keep yourself safe, might harm yourself or someone else, cannot manage basic needs, or need round-the-clock support.
If breathlessness is new, severe, occurs outside panic episodes, or comes with chest pain, fainting, confusion, one-sided weakness, or blue lips, go to the nearest emergency department with someone you trust. During an episode, ask that person to stay physically with you rather than facing it alone.
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