(PTSD) Post Traumatic Stress Disorder FAQ's
You might have some questions in relation to PTSD. When we are struggling with a mental health difficulty or a medical difficulty it is sometimes important to understand and appreciate what we are dealing with. When we do this it is easier to get treated and find a way forward. Having some insight into your PTSD difficulty might be your first stepping stone to healing from it.
WHAT IS PTSD?
PTSD or (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) is a psychiatric disorder which can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event or multiple events. Symptoms experienced can be psychological and somatic. Symptoms might include flashbacks, avoidant behaviour, negative alterations in thoughts and emotions as well as hyper or hypo-arousal. For more information please see our web page: What Is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?
WHO CAN DEVELOP PTSD?
Anybody of any age gender, race or age can develop PTSD symptoms. PTSD symptoms develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. Traumatic experience might be a one of experience or multiple incidents over an extended period of time.
There are a number of factors which can increase the likelihood of developing PTSD symptoms after a trauma. These include the type of trauma experienced, your background and upbringing, education, family history of mental illness and gender. Learn more about the risk of developing PTSD. Please read our article on The Risk of Developing PTSD if you would like to learn more.
WHAT ARE PTSD SYMPTOMS?
PTSD symptoms develop because we experience something too overwhelming for us to comprehend. Our brains are unable to process and integrate the experience. Because we have not processed the experience our bodies keep reacting to a perceived danger that has now passed.
PTSD symptoms include intrusion symptoms for example recurring memories and feelings as if the incident is still happening. Dissociation and experiencing flashbacks. Having to continuously avoid thoughts and feelings related to the event as well people and places that remind you of the incident. You might also experience negative alterations in thoughts and negative emotions. You might also experience aggression, self destructive behaviour, hyper or hypo-arousal as well as difficulty sleeping and concentrating.
For more information on PTSD symptoms please see out page: What is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder?
WHY DO WE DEVELOP PTSD SYMPTOMS?
We develop PTSD symptoms because the mind is unable to process the traumatic event we have experienced or witnessed. It responds as if the traumatic event is still taking place. The mind is unable to treat the trauma as a past event or memory. The memory of the event is stored as an independent neurological network which acts independently to the rest of the brain. The body continues to respond as if the trauma is still happening by releasing stress hormones. Our nervous system gets stuck in overdrive. Our amazing defence system is throwing our mind and body out of homeostasis. The result is PTSD symptoms which are unpleasant and not relevant to our current experience.
DOES PTSD GET BETTER WITH TREATMENT?
PTSD symptoms do get better with treatment in most cases. EMDR or Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing Therapy enables our minds to desensitise and re-process a traumatic event. When this happens the neural network which has stored the trauma is able to communicate with other parts of the brain and put the trauma into the past where it should be. This is called adaptive information processing. Our bodies/nervous system is then able to calm down and we move back into homeostasis.
WHAT ARE THE TREATMENTS FOR PTSD?
PTSD is a treatable psychological and somatic difficulty. There is lots of misleading information on PTSD treatment written on the web.
There are a number of approaches to treat PTSD. It is helpful if PTSD treatment takes place within the boundaries of a strong therapeutic relationship. Approaches include:
Eye Movement Desensitisation & Reprocessing Therapy. (EMDR), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Prolonged Exposure Therapy, Psychotherapy for Complex PTSD and Trauma Focused CBT.
The leading evidence based treatment for PTSD is Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing Therapy. (EMDR). We offer EMDR. Click here.
Somatic or body approaches include Somatic Experiencing, Trauma Release Exercises and Cranio-Sacral Therapy.
HOW CAN I HELP SOMEONE WITH PTSD?
Helping a family loved one or friend who is suffering from PTSD can be a difficult experience. Intrusive PTSD symptoms can be extreme and out of context with the environment or current situation. The best way to help a person who has PTSD is to assist them in obtaining professional help.
Providing an empathetic non judgemental ear can help them feel supported. People suffering from PTSD often feel disconnected from their sense of self and other people. Helping them to maintain their close attachments is imperative for trauma recovery.
WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP MYSELF?
Living with PTSD symptoms means that your body and mind are still responding to a threat. The threat might be ongoing or in the past. The mind and body are out of homeostasis.
There are a number of things that you can do for yourself to mitigate PTSD symptoms. The first thing that you can do is get the right help. PTSD processing should be carried out with a trauma psychotherapist/EMDR practitioner. Getting professional help for PTSD is the quickest best route to getting better. We offer Psychotherapy and EMDR to assist you with PTSD symptoms.
Another thing you can do is put a good support network in place. This can be in the form of family or friends or a support group relevant to your difficulties. Examples might include a PTSD support group or fellowship for addiction. Examples might include Cocaine Aanonymous, Narcotics Anonymous or Alcoholics Anonymous.
If you are suffering from PTSD symptoms it might be tempting to isolate yourself. Maintaining meaningful connections and making new helpful connections will help mitigate trauma and PTSD symptoms.
Please also remember that with the right help you will get better. Please also remember that your PTSD symptoms are a normal psychological and somatic reaction to abnormal circumstances.
HOW COMMON IS PTSD?
PTSD can develop following the experience of a single event trauma, multiple traumas, witnessing a trauma or even hearing about a trauma. When trauma symptoms last for longer than four weeks they might be classed as PTSD.
According the the American Psychiatric Association PTSD affects 3.5% of the adult population in the US.