Articles...
"Post Traumatic Stress Disorder"
Written by Carol Weatherall. Published December 29th 2012
-POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (P.T.S.D.) is an anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to a terrifying event or ordeal . It can affect those who personally experience the catastrophe, those who witness it , and those who pick up the pieces afterwards , such as emergency workers , carers, medical staff and counsellors.
The list of events associated with P.T.S.D. is endless, ranging from, war, natural disasters, car or plane crashes, terrorist attacks, sudden death of a loved one, to rape, kidnapping, assault, sexual or physical abuse and childhood neglect.
Of course, any experience, which to the individual was overwhelmingly terrifying would produce a shock reaction , resulting in feelings of disorientation and re-occurring thought patterns relating to the situation. These are normal reactions to abnormal events, which gradually fade as the mind rationalises and understands them. However, when PSTD is present, these feelings of psychological shock remain, leaving the individual with a range of distressing and debilitating symptoms.
PTSD develops differently from person to person. Whilst symptoms most often occur within the first hours or days after the event, in others it make take weeks or even years before they appear, sometimes out of the blue, after being triggered by a word, image or smell associated with the trauma.
P.T.S.D. symptoms are widespread, although they can be categorised under three main headings :-
1) Re-experiencing the traumatic event - flashbacks, nightmares, intrusive or compulsive thoughts and stress reactions to thoughts of the event.
2) Avoidance – detachment from others, emotional numbness, diminished interest or pleasure in most activities, sense of a limited future.
3) Increased anxiety and emotional arousal – insomnia, violent outbursts, increased irritability, inability to concentrate , irrational or impulsive behaviour followed by remorse, suicidal thoughts, alienation, shame, guilt ,heavy use of alcohol or drugs and the many physical signs of stress related illness.
Many people ask if there is a difference between P.T.S.D. and G.A.D.(Generalised Anxiety Disorder) The differentiating feature is in how the disorder manifests itself. People with GAD often have a long and consistent history of anxiety, across a wide variety of circumstances and situations. People with P.T.S.D. on the other hand, often react to an intense experience of anxiety and related symptoms in response to a major life event. People can have both disorders, and a traumatic event can make the anxiety associated with G.A.D more severe.
Consideration should also be given to the fact that those who suffer from anxiety disorder are more likely to experience P.T.S.D. If G.A. D. therefore provides the foundation upon which P.T.S.D. can more easily be structured, then an answer to what caused the originating anxiety should be sought. This then should be considered when deciding upon any course of treatment.
REGRESSION THERAPY is one solution (providing the client does not have accompanying Schizophrenia). This would help the individual to re-vivify their experience in a safe and controlled environment leading to the release of the interrelated emotion. Such therapy establishing positive behaviours and re-building a more stable psychological framework for the future.
TRAUMA –FOCUSED COGNITIVE-BEHAVIOUR THERAPY – where the client is gradually exposed to negative thoughts, feelings and events is particularly beneficial and can be used in addition to Hypnotherapy and alongside FAMILY THERAPY and other anxiety reducing mechanisms.
PTSD is a fascinating subject and each case is as different as the client’s experience and psychological interpretation.Suffering from P.T.S.D. can be a nightmare not only for the sufferer but for all those in close contact.
Seek help now from Tranquil Lives and see how much better life can be.
Carol Weatherall B.A. Dhyp M.Prac.NLP