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J. Connor Barnhart, MD

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Treatment in San Francisco

Also known as: PTSD, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Trauma Disorder, Traumatic Stress Disorder

4 min readLast updated: 2026-02-20
Reviewed by J. Connor Barnhart, MD

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after exposure to a traumatic event involving actual or threatened death, serious injury, or violence. PTSD involves persistent re-experiencing of the trauma, avoidance of reminders, negative changes in thoughts and mood, and heightened arousal. Symptoms typically persist for more than one month and can significantly impair daily functioning, relationships, and quality of life.

At a Glance

  • An estimated 3.6% of U.S. adults had PTSD in the past year, with lifetime prevalence of approximately 6.8%[1]
  • Past-year prevalence of PTSD is higher among females (5.2%) than males (1.8%)[1]
  • Among adults with past-year PTSD, approximately 36.6% experience serious impairment in daily functioning[1]
  • Evidence-based trauma-focused psychotherapies such as CPT, PE, and EMDR are recommended as first-line treatments[5]
  • Most people who experience a traumatic event do not develop PTSD, though about half of U.S. adults will experience at least one traumatic event[2]

Affected Anatomy

  • Central nervous system
  • Limbic system (amygdala, hippocampus, prefrontal cortex)
  • Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis
  • Autonomic nervous system
  • Cardiovascular system

What are the symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?

  • Recurrent intrusive distressing memories of the traumatic event
  • Distressing dreams or nightmares related to the trauma
  • Flashbacks or dissociative reactions in which the individual feels or acts as if the event is recurring
  • Persistent avoidance of stimuli associated with the traumatic event, including thoughts, feelings, places, or people
  • Negative changes in cognition and mood, such as persistent negative beliefs about oneself or the world
  • Inability to remember important aspects of the traumatic event
  • Persistent feelings of detachment or estrangement from others
  • Hypervigilance and exaggerated startle response
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Sleep disturbances, including difficulty falling or staying asleep
  • Irritability or angry outbursts with little or no provocation

When to See a Psychiatrist for PTSD

  • Intrusive memories, flashbacks, or nightmares related to a traumatic event
  • Avoidance of places, people, or situations that remind you of the trauma
  • Feeling emotionally numb, detached, or disconnected from others
  • Heightened startle response, hypervigilance, or difficulty sleeping
  • Irritability, anger outbursts, or difficulty concentrating
  • Symptoms persisting more than a month after experiencing a traumatic event

If any of these apply, consider reaching out to schedule a visit.

What causes Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?

Causes

  • Experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event involving actual or threatened death, serious injury, or violence
  • Repeated or extreme exposure to details of traumatic events (e.g., first responders, military personnel)
  • Childhood abuse, neglect, or other adverse childhood experiences
  • Combat exposure or military service in war zones
  • Physical or sexual assault
  • Serious accidents, natural disasters, or acts of terrorism

Risk Factors

  • Prior exposure to traumatic events, especially in childhood
  • Previous history of mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression
  • Female sex (PTSD prevalence approximately 2-3 times higher in women)
  • Lack of social support following a significant trauma
  • History of substance use
  • Family history of mental health conditions
  • Severity and duration of trauma exposure

How It's Diagnosed

  • 1Comprehensive psychiatric evaluation including history of exposure to traumatic events
  • 2Assessment of symptom duration, severity, and functional impairment
  • 3Structured clinical interviews (e.g., Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale, CAPS-5)
  • 4Self-report measures such as the PTSD Checklist (PCL-5)
  • 5Physical examination and lab testing to rule out medical contributors to symptoms, as appropriate
  • 6Evaluation for comorbid conditions including depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders

How is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) treated?

I offer several approaches for post-traumatic stress disorder (ptsd):

Psychodynamic Therapy

Psychodynamic therapy is an evidence-supported form of talk therapy rooted in longstanding psychoanalytic theory about how unconscious thoughts, past ...

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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a structured, evidence-based form of psychotherapy that focuses on identifying and modifying unhelpful patterns ...

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Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy, also called talk therapy, refers to a variety of treatment approaches that aim to help a person identify and change troubling emotions,...

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Medication Management

Medication management refers to the ongoing, physician-supervised process of prescribing, monitoring, and adjusting psychiatric medications to treat m...

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Lifestyle Optimization

Lifestyle optimization is an evidence-based approach to mental health that uses individually tailored behavioral interventions – including sleep hygie...

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Prognosis and Recovery

  • Many individuals with PTSD experience significant improvement with evidence-based treatment
  • Without treatment, PTSD can become chronic and may persist for years
  • Early intervention is associated with improved outcomes
  • Co-occurring conditions such as depression and substance use disorders require a comprehensive treatment plan

Frequently Asked Questions

PTSD is a mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event involving actual or threatened death, serious injury, or violence. Symptoms include intrusive memories, avoidance of trauma reminders, negative changes in mood and thinking, and heightened arousal. Not everyone who experiences trauma develops PTSD.
PTSD symptoms typically fall into four categories: intrusive memories (flashbacks, nightmares), avoidance (steering clear of trauma reminders), negative changes in thinking and mood (feelings of detachment, persistent negative beliefs), and changes in nervous system arousal (hypervigilance, sleep difficulties, irritability). Symptoms generally persist for more than one month.
PTSD can develop after exposure to a traumatic event such as combat, physical or sexual assault, serious accidents, natural disasters, or childhood abuse. Risk factors include prior trauma exposure, lack of social support, a history of mental health conditions, and the severity of the traumatic event. Most people who experience trauma do not develop PTSD.
See a psychiatrist if trauma-related symptoms persist beyond a month, interfere with daily life, or include avoidance behaviors. A psychiatrist can provide therapy and medication to support recovery.
Evidence-based treatment includes trauma-focused psychotherapy. Medications may also be used, especially if symptom severity limits progress in therapy. With appropriate treatment, many people experience significant improvement.
Many individuals with PTSD experience significant improvement with appropriate treatment. While some people recover fully, others may need ongoing support or experience periods of symptom recurrence. Early intervention, strong social support, and addressing co-occurring conditions such as depression or substance use can improve long-term outcomes.
Supportive strategies include maintaining a regular sleep schedule, engaging in regular physical activity, practicing relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or mindfulness, staying connected with supportive people, and limiting alcohol and caffeine. These approaches can complement professional treatment but are not substitutes for evidence-based therapy.
Dr. Barnhart combines insight-oriented psychotherapy with medication management, when appropriate. His holistic approach focuses on understanding trauma's impact while building resilience. In some cases, Dr. Barnhart may refer to therapists who use different trauma-focused techniques such as EMDR or CBT.

Your Practitioner

J. Connor Barnhart

J. Connor Barnhart, MD

Dr. J. Connor Barnhart is a board-certified psychiatrist and psychotherapist practicing in San Francisco. He completed his psychiatry residency at UCSF, where he trained in the Bipolar, LGBT, and Women's Mental Health specialty clinics and developed focused expertise in integrative psychiatry through a year-long rotation at the UCSF Osher Center. He attended medical school at the University of Pennsylvania's Perelman School of Medicine and graduated from Brown University with honors in Human Biology. His practice combines insight-oriented therapy, medication management, supplements, and lifestyle optimization to holistically address the root causes of mental health challenges including depression, anxiety, and difficulties with focus.

Medically reviewed by J. Connor Barnhart, MD · Last reviewed: 2026-06-20