For some people, life after trauma goes back to normal. However, other people may struggle for years with the aftereffects. Those who are deeply affected by their trauma might develop PTSD and experience symptoms that interrupt their day-to-day lives. Healing from PTSD is possible with the right treatment plan and therapy.

What Is PTSD?

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental illness that develops after a traumatic event. While the stereotypical sufferer of PTSD is a war veteran, you don’t need to have been in combat to develop PTSD. It can happen to anyone who was involved in or witnessed a traumatic event, which can include:

● Physical, sexual, or emotional abuse

● Physical or sexual assault

● Poverty or neglect

● Natural disasters

● Car or workplace accidents

● The loss of a loved one or pet

Not everyone who goes through a traumatic event will develop PTSD. Some people are able to come to terms with their trauma and any symptoms will disappear. But PTSD can develop days, weeks, or even months after the event.

Symptoms of PTSD

Some symptoms of PTSD occur without warning, while others are coping mechanisms designed to protect from further harm. These symptoms typically fall into four categories: intrusion, avoidance, negative alterations in cognitions and mood, and alterations in arousal and reactivity. PTSD also often co-occurs with other mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, substance abuse disorder, panic disorder, and others. The main symptoms of PTSD include:

● Intrusive thoughts about the event

● Nightmares and night terrors

● Panic attacks

● Flashbacks

● Avoidance of people, places, or things associated with the event

● Avoiding thinking about the event

● Hyperarousal (anxiety and edginess, difficulty concentrating, aggression, irritability, insomnia, etc.)

● Feelings of guilt or worthlessness

● Depressed mood

● Low self-esteem

Treatments for PTSD

Several psychotherapies have been proven effective in treating PTSD. Often, treatment plans involve both therapy and medications.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT is one of the most widely used and evidence-based treatments for PTSD. This therapy focuses on identifying and challenging negative thought patterns and behaviors associated with the traumatic event. Through techniques like exposure therapy and cognitive restructuring, patients can learn to reframe their traumatic memories. Over time, and with a therapist’s help, they can reduce the intensity of the traumatic event in their memory.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

EMDR is another evidence-based therapy that’s been proven highly effective in treating trauma. It helps people reprocess their distressing memories and emotions related to the traumatic event. During EMDR sessions, clients recall how they felt during the traumatic event while simultaneously engaging in bilateral stimulation (with their eyes moving from side to side). This might be following the therapist’s finger movements, a pointer, or noises alternating from left to right. This process helps re-store the memory in the brain, which lessens the aftereffects of trauma.

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)

CPT focuses on cognitive distortions caused by PTSD. It involves identifying and challenging unhelpful beliefs relating to trauma and their memory. In therapy, clients will write and revise their trauma narratives. They’ll also develop the skills needed to confront their distorted thinking patterns and revise their previously held beliefs. Clients also learn mindfulness and other healthy coping techniques to deal with negative emotions and stress.

Getting Help

If you’ve been living with PTSD, don’t wait to get help, especially if your symptoms are affecting your daily life. Reach out to a mental health professional today to be evaluated and develop a treatment plan. With your therapist, you’ll learn how to manage your triggers, control your emotions, and cope with your memories of the traumatic event.

To find out more about how therapy can ease the symptoms of PTSD, please reach out to us.

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PTSD: Common Symptoms and How To Heal