Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Trauma
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a clinical condition that can develop from direct exposure to or witnessing a terrifying event. Examples of direct exposures to trauma include sexual or physical violence, as well as waking up during surgery. An example of witnessing a traumatic event may include watching news footage with injured people. After experiencing a traumatic event, some individuals may initially exhibit acute distress symptoms, but for many, symptoms may appear years later.
Common symptoms of PTSD may include:
intense fear, horror, or helplessness to the traumatic event.
recurrent and unwanted thoughts, images and or memories of the traumatic event.
nightmares or distressful dreams about the traumatic event.
sleep disturbances.
reliving the traumatic event as if it were happening (such as flashbacks).
emotional distress or physical reaction to cues of the traumatic event.
avoiding thoughts, places, activities, people, or objects that serve as reminders of the traumatic event.
negative thoughts about the self, others, and the world.
being easily startled.
loss of interest in activities.
difficulty concentrating.
difficulty experiencing positive emotions.
irritable behaviors or outbursts of anger.
Seek professional support if:
your reactions and emotions related to the traumatic event persist for more than a month.
avoidance behaviors related to the trauma interfere with your work, social life, or family life.
you feel like you are reliving the traumatic event for more than a month.
What to expect from therapy?
In therapy, you can expect to :
discuss or talk about your traumatic experiences including social, psychological, physical distress.
reflect on your meaning of life and important relationships, helping you write your own life story.
learn and implement calming skills such as mindfulness, relaxation skills, and breathing exercises.
Different counseling models used for PTSD include:
Cognitive Therapy
Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Eye movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy (EMDR)