PTSD

Trauma is defined as any type of painful, horrifying, stressful, or life-endangering event that someone can either suffer from, be threatened by, or be a witness of. It can also occur when someone close to them experiences a form of trauma.

Not everyone who has experienced a form of trauma goes on to have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Every person responds differently to trauma. This means processing trauma varies from person to person too.If someone has consistent or recurring episodes of hopelessness, anger, fear, guilt or despair then that person may have PTSD.

PTSD symptoms are numerous but usually fall into four major categories:

1. Intrusive memories

Intrusive memories include unwanted, distressing recollections or flashbacks of the traumatizing moment. These memories can also occur during sleep (e.g., nightmares).

Intrusive memories also include extreme distress when faced with an experience that brings the trauma to mind such as smelling a certain scent, noises that resemble the traumatic sounds, seeing someone who looks like the person involved in the trauma or being in a similar environment as where the trauma happened.

2. Avoid Traumatic Memories

Some people want to completely avoid discussing or even thinking about their traumatic situation. These people go to extreme lengths to avoid any person, place, or thing that could possibly remind them of the trauma. It’s not uncommon for people to want to avoid such conversations or places, but when it starts to spill over into daily activities in negative ways it can become a serious problem. If you are avoiding places that remind you of those horrible events or distancing yourself from people that resemble someone in the traumatic event, it could be time to talk with a trusted professional about your experiences. You don’t have to live your life in debilitating fear.

3. Unpredictable moods and negative thoughts

Trauma can also produce unpredictable moods and negative thought patterns. These negative moods or thoughts can include, but are not limited to, any of the following:

• Distorted blame of self or negative self-image
• Persistent fear, anger or guilt
• Feelings of detachment from friends and family
• Emotional numbness or lack of a positive outlook
• Hopelessness about your life
• Memory loss, including forgetting details of the trauma
• Apathy about activities you once enjoyed

4. Hyperarousal

Hyperarousal symptoms are the ones the average person typically associates with PTSD. The symptoms of hyperarousal can include, but are not limited to, any of the following:

• Always on the lookout for danger
• Being scared easily
• Self-sabotaging behavior
• Hostility or anger outbursts
• Physically aggressive actions
• Substance abuse
• Addiction to dangerous situations
• Insomnia
• Problems with focusing
• Experiencing feelings of shame

Children under the age of six may also display the following symptoms:

• Sudden nightmares
• Reenacting the trauma in their activities or play

There are a wide variety of trauma responses that may lead to, and include, PTSD.

Normal Stress Response: Normal Stress Response happens when a person is exposed to a traumatic situation. This can happen even to a witness of a traumatizing situation. Symptoms can include replaying the event, negative memories, emotional emptiness, body tension, physical distress, and a feeling of separation from reality. Normal stress response does not have to lead to PTSD.

Acute Stress Disorder: Acute Stress Disorder is the next step of trauma response, which includes more severe symptoms such as serious panic attacks, prolonged insomnia, increased paranoia, mental confusion, and being incapable of primary self-care regularly. Work responsibilities and personal relationships also suffer from this disorder. Acute Stress Disorder develops after recurring, or ongoing, trauma happens.

Uncomplicated PTSD: The first level of PTSD is referred to as Uncomplicated PTSD, identified by playbacks of the traumatic situation, avoidance symptoms, hyperarousal symptoms, and numbing emotions. Many techniques exist to properly address this level or PTSD in a successful manner.

Comorbid PTSD: Comorbid PTSD happens when PTSD exists in conjunction with another mental illness such as substance abuse, depression, anxiety, eating disorders, or anger problems. It’s best to treat both PTSD and the accompanying disorder at the same time. Comorbid PTSD normally responds to the same forms of treatment as Uncomplicated PTSD, while any accompanying mental illnesses are addressed separately but simultaneously.

Complex PTSD: Also referred to as “Extreme Stress Disorder,” Complex PTSD exists in people who have been exposed to prolonged trauma. This trauma is common among people who experienced recurring trauma during their childhood.

Antisocial personality disorders and dissociative disorders are regularly demonstrated by people with Complex PTSD. Additionally, they may display symptoms of hyperarousal such as aggressive behavior, deep insomnia, or self-destructive behaviors such. The treatment for Complex PTSD is more involved and takes place over a long time period.

A host of treatment options are available for treating PTSD. Every treatment should be tailored to the individual based on their specific needs.It’s important to work with a doctor and therapist to figure out a treatment plan that will lead to the greatest chance of success.

Psychotherapy Treatment Options

• Cognitive therapy

Cognitive therapy is a type of talk therapy that assists people in identifying cognitive patterns that are feeding into their PTSD. These patterns could include negative self-esteem, negative life outlook, or fear of another traumatic event happening to the person.

In Cognitive therapy, the therapist normally starts by helping the person clearly evaluate the traumatic memories and understand the person’s perception of the memories and event.Changing the way people think, can ultimately change responses to circumstances. The person is able to see how their thought patterns are impacting their everyday life.

Exposure therapy

Exposure therapy teaches excellent coping mechanisms that are applied to nightmares and flashbacks. The person is made to face traumatic memories by exposing them to the situation in a safe environment in order to demolish the pattern of fear. An example of this is vividly imagining the feared event or thing, and describing this traumatic experience in order to eliminate feelings of fear.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a therapy that is designed to rewire how the brain keeps memories of a traumatic event with the goal of eliminating symptoms which are a reaction to the trauma.

Medication Treatment Options Available

• Antidepressants

Antidepressants aren’t just for people living with depression. They are also capable of treating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, helping to manage anxiety, and improving sleep and concentration problems. Many antidepressants exist that are approved by the FDA and effective for treating PTSD.

• Anti-anxiety medications

Anxiety and PTSD go hand-in-hand. It’s no surprise that doctors suggest anti-anxiety medication to relieve symptoms. However, anti-anxiety medicine can be addictive and doctors must carefully supervise the patient as they take the prescribed medicine.

• Prazosin

Prazosin is a medication that is used to treat high blood pressure, anxiety, and PTSD. Although it’s been known to help with nightmares, some studies offer conflicting results. If this seems like the right option for you, have an open discussion with your doctor about the options that exist.

All medications are able to produce side effects so you should discuss all side effects with a physician to either adjust your medication or find a new medication that doesn’t bring negative side effects. Your health is always the number one priority and should be taken seriously.

Counseling for PTSD at Bellevue Christian Counseling

Bellevue Christian Counselors are trained to offer professional counseling services to those living with PTSD and its symptoms. Locating someone you trust is crucial for your success and recovery. The team at Bellevue Christian Counseling is equipped with the training and skills to help you learn coping methods and navigating PTSD symptoms. Contact us today or browse our online directory to schedule your appointment with the counselor of your choice.