PTSD

Understanding Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

 

The term post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is used to name a range of symptoms you may develop in response to experiencing a traumatic event, which is outside of your normal experience.  It is often a delayed response.

 

What are the symptoms?

 

If you have faced a traumatic experience, you may simply feel emotionally numb to begin with, and feelings of distress may not emerge straight away.  But sooner or later, you are likely to develop emotional and physical reactions, and changes in behaviour, which may include some of the following:

 

Reliving aspects of the trauma

 

  • Vivid flashbacks (feeling that the trauma is happening all over again)
  • Intrusive thoughts and images
  • Nightmares
  • Intense distress at real and symbolic reminders of the trauma

 

Avoiding memories

 

  • Keeping busy
  • Avoiding situatios that remind you of the trauma
  • Repressing memories 9being unable to remember aspects of the event)
  • feeling detached, cut off and emotionally numb
  • Being unable to express affection
  • Feeling there's no point in planning for the future

 

Being easily upset or angry

 

  • Disturbed sleep
  • Irritability and aggressive behaviour
  • Lack of concentration
  • Extreme alertness
  • Panic response to anything to do with the trauma
  • Being easily startled

 

These are all quite common reactions to a traumatic event, and many people find the symptoms will disappear in a relatively short period of time.  But if they last longer than a month, or they are extreme, you may be given a diagnosis of PTSD.

 

You may also have other symptoms, such as severe anxiety, a phobia or depression.  You may develop suicidal feelings.  There's no time limit on distress, and some survivors may not develop post-traumatic symptoms until many years after the event.

 

What causes PTSD?

 

There are a vast array of events that can lead to PTSD.  But today the term PTSD can be used to describe the psychological trauma resulting from any traumatic event, not only war related trauma.

 

Some of the traumatic events that may cause PTSD are:

 

  • Personal trauma
  • Violent crime
  • Sexual or physical assault
  • Road traffic accidents  
  • Difficulties during childbirth
  • War

 

These can all produce PTSD, though symptoms may not occur until some time after the event.  Children who have been abused, or who have witnessed something terrible are vulnerable.

 

Even if you have not been directly involved in trauma you may still experience levels of distress comparable to those who were involved.  for example, you may experience PTSD if you have lost relatives or friends as a result of a disaster, or if you work in the emergency services or as a rescue worker.  Refugees and civilian survivors of war also develop PTSD.

 

Treatment for PTSD

 

Effective treatment for PTSD is the use of Emotional freedom techniques (EFT) and Neuro-lingusitic programming.  The EFT is a fantastic method of releasing alot of the anxiety that is driving the symptoms, and the NLP treatment is amazingly effective is helping you change any sights or sounds that may be causing you fear and discomfort.  Both methodies are very safe and resolving these issues can happen in as little as two to four sessions.

 

If you would like a free consultation regarding the symptoms you are experiencing, please call me on 0161 442 1747, I really can help you.