Trauma and PTSD
- Have you experienced a traumatic event?
- Do you experience symptoms such as flashbacks, poor concentration, nightmares, anger, irritability, feelings of guilt, or persistent anxiety from an event that happened in the past?
- Perhaps you have developed a phobia following a traumatic experience?
From the sudden death of a loved one to being involved in a natural disaster or being victim of an assault, trauma may have many origins and causes.
Whether you have been officially diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or you are experiencing symptoms of traumatic stress following a particular event or experience, Hypnosis and Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) can help you to:
- Process the traumatic memories in a safe so they no longer trigger unwanted emotional disturbance
- Recover calm
- Rebuild your confidence
- Lift out of depression
- Release anger and guilt
- Strengthen your self-esteem
Available in-person and online
What is emotional and psychological trauma?
Emotional and psychological trauma is the result of extremely stressful, frightening or distressing events, that occur either as one-time events or over on-going/prolonged periods.
You do not have to be directly involved or hurt to experience trauma: witnessing an event or being constantly exposed to horrific images in the media for example may also cause traumatic stress.
They are many different types of traumatic events. Here are some examples:
- Sexual or physical abuse or assault
- Serious vehicle accident
- Combat or war zone exposure
- Seeing death or bodies, including at work
- Unexpected death of a loved one (Including miscarriage)
- Bullying
- Natural disasters (e.g. earthquakes, flooding etc.)
- Arson and house fires
- Domestic violence
- Surgery (especially in the first 3 years of life)
- Breakup of a significant relationship
- Childhood neglect
Responses to Trauma
Not everybody will respond to traumatic events in the same way.
Some people will not experience any major problems, other may show symptoms of traumatic stress. Whatever your experience, there is no right or wrong way to think, feel, or respond so don’t judge or compare your reactions with those of other people.
Symptoms may include
- Anxiety
- Numbness
- Insomnia
- Lack of concentration
- Anger
- Feeling disconnected or numb
- Feeling guilt, shame or self-blame
- Restlessness
- Avoidance
- Denial
These are healthy responses to abnormal events which typically last from a few hours to 4/6 weeks, or sometimes a few months. For most people, these symptoms will go away on their own, gradually fading as you process the unsettling event.
If your symptoms do not ease up or become worse, and you are unable to move on from the event, you may be experiencing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
PTSD was recognised as a condition in 1980; and although it’s often associated with military veterans, it actually affects individuals from all walks of life. PTSD is an anxiety condition where people who have been exposed to a traumatic event get “stuck” and are either unable to make sense of what has happened or to process their emotions.
It is estimated that approximately 1% to 7.8% of the population across diverse countries suffer from PTSD. (Lukaschek 2013).
What are the symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress
The major types of Post Traumatic Stress symptoms include:
Hyperarousal or emotional/physical reactivity, including:
- Being always on guard and/or easily startled
- Irritability - Being quick to anger and aggression
- Having trouble concentrating
- Doing things that are risky (e.g., impulsive sex, binge drinking)
- Having trouble sleeping
Intrusions including:
- Flashbacks or intrusive thoughts about the traumatic event
- Intense physical or emotional reactions to reminders of the event
- Nightmares
Avoidance, including:
- Avoiding thinking or talking about the trauma
- Avoiding people, places, activities or sensations that remind you of the trauma
Negative changes in your thinking and emotions, including:
- Feeling more down, depressed, angry or anxious
- Feeling shameful or guilty
- Feeling distant from other people
- Feeling numb
- Being unable to remember important parts of the trauma
- Losing interest in things you used to enjoy
- Having more negative thoughts about yourself, other people and the world
Ready to find out more?
Simply contact me via email or call me on 07790 339 574.
