PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)
Did you know?
PTSD affects 30% of combat veterans, 33% of rape victims and 8 million people wordwide.
PTSD is an issue affecting children, teens, adults and the elderly. Have you suffered, or are you currently suffering, from PTSD?
Then we need to talk!
Today, let’s talk about…PTSD!
PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) is described as: “psychological reaction occurring after experiencing a highly stressing event (such as wartime combat, physical violence, or a natural disaster) usually characterized by depression, anxiety, flashbacks, recurrent nightmares, and avoidance of reminders of the event —also called also post-traumatic stress syndrome”
(Merriam Webster Dictionary)
PTSD
PTSD is more common than people realize with 10% of women and 4% of men who will suffer from PTSD.
It occurs when a person is involved in a traumatic event and begins to suffer serious disturbances in the life. Just witnessing a disturbing event can also be traumatic and lead to PTSD.
Both adults, and children, are currently suffering from the trauma of Covid-19 virus related PTSD. Most don’t even realize it, but will suffer from the trauma for years to come unless they receive help or seek treatment to address the issue.
The human brain is made to remember…not forget.
When a traumatic event is stored in our memory, it is installed with so much adrenalin, due to the fear experienced, that every time that memory is triggered, we don’t just recall the event, we “Re-live” the terrifying emotions associated with the memory. By reliving the feelings related to that trauma, it reinforces the trauma and makes things even worse.
PTSD and the Past
It’s not the person refusing to let go of the past, but the past refusing to let go of the person.” (Author unknown)
Symptoms of PTSD.
1/Those with PTSD are haunted by their trauma and have flashbacks or nightmares of the event.
2/PTSD sufferers begin to avoid the crippling feelings of helplessness and fear, by avoiding anything that reminds them of the event. This means they often become unwilling to even talk about it.
3/PTSD sufferers withdraw from what they consider to be an increasingly threatening world, as triggers seem to begin appearing everywhere.
4/Those with PTSD begin to have difficulty sleeping and may even avoid trying to fall asleep (to avoid nightmares that come every night.)
5/They may become hypervigilant (excessive, highly or abnormally alert to potential danger or threat) and may exhibit an exaggerated startle response.
6/Some may become emotionally numb with a limited ‘range of affect’, while others feel agitated, become aggressive, or experience mood swings between the two extremes.
7/Alcohol may be used in an attempt to self-medicate, but it only makes things worse, as a person becomes more impulsive and may have more difficulty controlling their behaviors to an even greater extent.
8/All these symptoms also make it harder to function in relationships, leading to disruption in families, marriages, and friendships. This further deteriorates the PTSD sufferer’s support system.
9/PTSD sufferers will have difficulty concentrating, losing the ability to focus on anything other than trying to avoid the traumatic triggers causing them pain.
10/Sadly, for some, PTSD will become so disruptive or unmanageable that they will take their own lives to try to escape.
“Even in times of trauma, we try to maintain a sense of normality until we no longer can. That, my friends, is called surviving. Not healing. We never become whole again...we are survivors. If you are here today, you are a survivor. But those of us who have made it thru hell and are still standing? We bare a different name: warriors.” ”
Treating PTSD:
Treatment for PTSD can be challenging, as the most effective treatments require that therapists ask sufferers to talk about the very things that the client is trying to avoid. That’s why therapists recognize that PTSD clients are extremely courageous people when they seek help.
Effective treatments include individual, family and group ‘talk’ therapy by a therapist experienced with treatment of PTSD.
Effective use of medications may help with symptom relief. There are experimental studies on new medications currently underway, which may prove effective in PTSD treatment, but the studies will take time. Sadly, there is not quick cure or magic pill to cure PTSD.
I have found, in my own experience, that nontraditional techniques, such as EMDR and Neurofeedback, can be extremely helpful in the treatment of PTSD symptoms. Of course, best treatment plans should be specific and individualized for each person, depending upon that person’s situation and needs.
Resources available for those with PTSD include the VA (Veteran’s Administration), Rape Crisis Centers, and many online and public health centers.
PTSD is recognized as a cause of disability if it interferes with a person’s ability to work. Those with PTSD diagnosis may obtain financial help as they fight to address and overcome their symptoms.
What PTSD sufferers need most is hope. There is help available, but they need the encouragement and help of family and friends to find help and resources they need.
Rely on your support system (family, church, friends, and others)
Don’t isolate!
There IS help to address PTSD!
Stay connected! Obtain group and individual support!
“I help people who are suffering from PTSD that is interfering with their life, their relationships and their happiness. Some PTSD clients seek care themselves while others come to my offices with support or urging of caring friends and family members . They experience change over time in therapy, not just in identifying triggers with their PTSD, but also as they learn life-long tools of ways to ‘let go’ so the trauma no longer controls them. My clients who are addressing PTSD, if experiencing suicidal thoughts see me more frequently initially and weekly thereafter until the PTSD is managed. Those experiencing PTSD without suicidal ideations see me weekly initially in order to have consistent support and to attain tools needed to live a more peaceful and satisfying life. I also work with their spouses, family members or friends in order to help maintain and strengthen those support systems.” - Clifton Fuller”
If you’re ready to begin this healing journey, contact our offices during office hours (Phone 210-970-1511), new clients register online for an initial appointment, or if an existing client, log-in to your client portal to schedule an appointment).
Did you know that animals can also suffer from PTSD?
“Quite a few of the dogs that come back from Afghanistan or Iraq or police dogs that are involved in violent confrontations where there's gunfire can in fact exhibit the symptoms and suffer from PTSD.”
― Robert Crais (American Author, writer)
