What is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder?
It’s normal after a distressing event to have trouble sleeping or
to have difficulties adjusting back to day-to-day life, but if these symptoms
last over a month, you might be suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
(PTSD).
PTSD is a type of anxiety disorder triggered by very difficult,
frightening and upsetting events. Although often associated with war veterans,
PTSD can develop following any event (or series of events) that has been very
overwhelming – such as a sexual assault, an accident, a natural disaster etc.
PTSD can involve reliving the traumatic event through nightmares
and flashbacks.
PTSD can affect anyone, including people who have had indirect
exposure to a distressing event or repeated exposure to graphic details of
trauma.
If you’re suffering from PTSD, you might be avoiding situations or
people that remind you of what happened, or you might have heightened reactions
to loud or unexpected noises or movements.
The disorder can be mild, moderate or severe. These categories are
defined according to how much your symptoms are influencing your day-to-day
life, rather than a judgement on the event itself.
Sometimes, PTSD will be described under the following categories:
Delayed-onset PTSD – if symptoms
occur more than 6 months after the distressing event.
Complex PTSD – if you
experienced trauma at an early age or it lasted for a long time.
Birth trauma – occurs after
a traumatic childbirth experience.
Signs and symptoms of PTSD
Physiological Symptoms
· Sweating
· Pain
· Nausea
· Trembling
Psychological Symptoms
· Vivid flashbacks
· Intrusive thoughts or images
· Irritability
· Nightmares
· Difficulty feeling emotions
· Hypervigilance
· Hyperacusis (reduced tolerance to noise)
· Persistent fear, anger, guilt or shame
· Difficulty with concentration
Behavioural Symptoms
· Avoiding places that remind you of the event
· Diminished interest in participation of activities and social
gatherings
· Reckless or destructive behaviour
· Difficulty falling and/or remaining asleep
Therapies for PTSD
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
CBT can help you become aware of your negative thought patterns and
recognise how they might be contributing to your anxiety. Your therapist will
work with you to identify negative thought patterns, safely and gradually
expose you to situations that trigger your anxiety, and also teach you how to
manage challenging situations more effectively.
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)
EMDR is an evidence-based approach that instead of talking, relies
on the patient’s own rapid, rhythmic movements. EMDR uses eye movements to help
you process the feelings and memories associated with the trauma. Treatment can
be fairly short-term for a specific trauma e.g. 8-16 sessions, or continue over
a longer period of time for C-PTSD.
To find out more about which approach to therapy might be best for
you, contact us for a free phone consultation.
How PTSD develops
PTSD can develop following a traumatic or distressing event – or
after a prolonged traumatic experience (sometimes referred to as Complex-PTSD).
Examples might be:
· Traumatic birth
· Natural disaster
· Witnessing a violent death
· Terrorist attack
There are certain factors that can make you more likely to develop
PTSD. For example, if you’ve experience depression or anxiety in the past or if
you haven’t received the right support following the event. Also, having a
parent with mental health issues can also increase your chances of developing
PTSD.
It’s still not clear why some people develop PTSD and others don’t.
However, recent research points to a biological predisposition – with the
development of PTSD being a type of survival mechanism, caused by high
adrenaline levels and physical and hormonal changes that happen in the brain.
PTSD was previously termed ‘Shell Shock’
PTSD myths
“PTSD cannot be treated”
There are many different treatments for PTSD which can help someone
manage the condition and their symptoms.
“PTSD only affects soldiers”
PTSD was first diagnosed in soldiers, but it can affect anyone who
experiences a very overwhelming or traumatic event.
“People with PTSD are violent”
Aggression is not a key symptom of PTSD and less than 8% of people
with PTSD experience violence as a symptom.
“PTSD does not affect children”
Anyone can be diagnosed with PTSD and about 7% of girls and 2% of
boys are diagnosed.
“Suffering from PTSD means you are mentally weak”
Just like any other mental illness, having PTSD does not mean you
are weak. To the contrary, it is often a response to having lived through
something extremely distressing. Some people also have a genetic predisposition
to developing PTSD – in the same way that someone can have a predisposition to
a physical illness, such as heart disease.
“My trauma occurred a long time ago, its too late to address it
now”
Seeking support for trauma at any age is beneficial – no matter how
long ago it happened.
“If I can’t remember the abuse, then I wont be able to process the
trauma”
There are many therapies where it’s not necessary to have coherent
memories of the trauma you experienced. Instead, these therapies focus on
helping you connect with and process the feelings and bodily sensations
associated with the trauma.
Self help strategies for PTSD
Self-care comes in many forms and it is important to find what
works for you. Treatment and recovery take time, but there are a few steps you
can take right now.
PTSD Coach. Provides
information about PTSD, alongside a self-assessment and professional care.
Opportunities to find support, and tools that can help you manage the stresses
of living with PTSD.
PTSD Family Coach. For family
members of those living with PTSD. Provides information about PTSD, how to take
care of yourself, how to take care of your relationship with your loved one,
and how to help your loved one get treatment.
To find out more about which approach to therapy might be best for
you, contact us for a free phone consultation.