PTSD Specialist

Palo Alto Mind Body

Concierge Psychiatry & Ketamine Therapy Clinic located in Palo Alto, CA

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects as much as 30% of veterans and is estimated to affect over 5% of all adults. Many do not receive the care they need to overcome the trauma and regain a better quality of life, and those that do seek help, often find their treatments insufficient and ineffective. Dr. M Rameen Ghorieshi—board-certified psychiatrist and public health specialist—created Palo Alto Mind Body to patients suffering from the devastating effects of anxiety disorders such as PTSD. He and colleagues at Palo Alto Mind Body can help PTSD patients move past the overwhelming effects of the trauma and take back control of their lives. A growing number of medical studies and clinical trials have shown remarkable success using Ketamine infusions to treat PTSD, depression, and other anxiety disorders. Dr. Ghorieshi at Palo Alto Mind Body can help you determine if today’s best, most promising treatments for PTSD is right for you. Regardless of where you seek help, please know, that help is available. To learn more, call the office in Palo Alto, California, or send a confidential email. We also serve many patients located in the surrounding Bay Area, such as South Bay, North Bay, East Bay, Peninsula, San Jose, and San Francisco.

PTSD Q & A

female soldier smiling at son

What causes PTSD?

PTSD, meaning post-traumatic stress disorder, often occurs following a complex stress or traumatic or life-threatening event. You may experience or witness the trauma, although you don’t have to be directly involved in the event. You may develop PTSD after hearing about the experience of a friend or family member who suffered a traumatic experience.

PTSD may arise from many types of complex traumatic or stressful situations, such as:

  • Combat duty
  • Physical assault
  • Sexual assault
  • Gun violence
  • Severe accident
  • Natural or man-made disasters


You may also develop PTSD following the death of a loved one.

What are the symptoms of PTSD?

Patients who have PTSD often experience anxiety, nightmares, depression, mood swings, avoidance, memory loss, feelings of uneasiness, jumpiness, or can be easily startled or angered.  Symptoms are profound and are frequently severe and debilitating to your daily activities.

When thoughts, situations, or people trigger an acute complex PTSD episode, you struggle to go to or function at work, unable to engage or enjoy time with family, or carry out even the most basic elements of your daily routines.

Symptoms caused by PTSD also include:

Re-experiencing the event

Flashbacks, nightmares, or memories that suddenly return make you re-experience the traumatic event. Remembering the event often triggers strong emotional distress and physical symptoms such as shortness of breath.

Heightened arousal

Heightened arousal means you feel emotions or engage in behaviors that are different from the way you were before PTSD. For example, you may become unusually aggressive or reckless.

Avoidance behavior

You’ll do anything to avoid the person or place that reminds you of the trauma that triggered your PTSD.

Negative mood, feelings, or thoughts 

It’s common to feel angry, lose interest in activities you once enjoyed, or to blame yourself for the trauma. You may become isolated, lethargic, and depressed.

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How is PTSD treated?

Dr. Ghorieshi treats PTSD with a combination of psychotherapy (aka talk-therapy), genetic testing, and the latest advancements in anti-anxiety medication, including IV Ketamine infusions.

Ketamine administered intravenously has shown to have near-immediate and remarkable success in patients with severe or chronic PTSD. Dr. Ghorieshi provides a highly precise and personalized Ketamine treatment plan for such patients—many of whom have self-reported remarkable life-changing improvements after undergoing treatment.

Dr. Ghorieshi encourages and often incorporates psychotherapy as a unifying core of your treatment plan. Patients with PTSD highly benefit from therapy. They begin to understand and process their experience and learn vital skills to manage stress and anxiety.

When you need extra help or can’t make it to the office, you can schedule a telemedicine session with Dr. Ghorieshi or one of his colleagues using their secure, HIPAA-compliant video conferencing technology.

Do IV Ketamine infusions treat PTSD?

Yes. Of course, as in anything, results vary from patient to patient. A growing number of research studies, along with patient self-reports have shown an unprecedented success.  Learn more about IV Ketamine infusion here.

What are my next steps for PTSD?

Call us. You can schedule an appointment or learn more about the treatments available for PTSD and options for Ketamine infusion treatments. You can also send a confidential email. Additional details are also available on our IV Ketamine service page.

Please note, we also serve many patients located in the surrounding Bay Area, such as South Bay, North Bay, East Bay, Peninsula, San Jose, and San Francisco.

650-681-2900