Understanding PTSD
The wound is the place where the light enters you - Rumi
One of the most challenging things about experiencing trauma, is that it can intrude on so many aspects of your life & feel as if it is still happening.
Not everyone responds to trauma in the same way, however all humans naturally respond to events which are sudden, unexpected & for which you feel little control over with feelings such as fear, sadness, anger & grief .
Sometimes these feelings can persist for a long time & you need help to get through it.
If you get support early, it can prevent your normal stress reactions from developing into PTSD.
So seek help early if possible.
It’s also important to know that there are effective treatments for PTSD & that recovery is possible.
We specialise in supporting people with trauma and offer techniques such as EMDR to assist you to leave trauma in the past.
The courageous person is the person who conquers their fear,
not the person who feels unafraid.
What is PTSD?
A disorder that can develop following a traumatic event that threatens your safety or makes you feel helpless.
Triggered by any overwhelming life experience, especially if perceived as unpredictable & uncontrollable
A normal response to an abnormal situation.
Impacts of PTSD
Can affect the way you see yourself/others/the world
May cause you to view the world as a dangerous/frightening or to see people as “not to be trusted”
May lead to feelings of fear/helplessness/powerlessness/anger/shame/guilt/hopelessness
Takes time to recover from. This is different for everyone
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder symptoms
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Re-experiencing the traumatic event
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Intrusive, upsetting memories of the event
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Flashbacks (acting or feeling like the event is happening again)
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Nightmares (either of the event or of other frightening things)
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Feelings of intense distress when reminded of the trauma
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Intense physical reactions to reminders of the event (e.g. pounding heart, rapid breathing, nausea, muscle tension, sweating)
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Avoidance and emotional numbing
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Avoiding activities, places, thoughts, or feelings that remind you of the trauma
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Inability to remember important aspects of the trauma
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Loss of interest in activities and life in general
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Feeling detached from others and emotionally numb
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Sense of a limited future (you don’t expect to live a normal life span, get married, have a career)
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Increased arousal
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Difficulty falling or staying asleep
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Irritability or outbursts of anger
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Difficulty concentrating
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Hypervigilance (on constant “red alert”)
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Feeling jumpy and easily startled
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Other common symptoms
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Anger and irritability
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Guilt, shame, or self-blame
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Substance abuse
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Depression and hopelessness
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Suicidal thoughts and feelings
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Feeling alienated and alone
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Feelings of mistrust and betrayal
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Headaches, stomach problems, chest pain
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Emotional symptoms
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Shock, denial, or disbelief
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Anger, irritability, mood swings
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Guilt, shame, self-blame
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Feeling sad or hopeless
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Confusion, difficulty concentrating
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Anxiety and fear
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Withdrawing from others
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Feeling disconnected or numb
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Physical symptoms
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Insomnia or nightmares
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Being startled easily
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Racing heartbeat
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Aches and pains
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Fatigue
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Difficulty concentrating
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Edginess and agitation
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Muscle tension
Things you can do
Learn more about PTSD
Identify your triggers
Join a support group
Practice daily relaxation techniques
Do positive activities
Daily routine to create predictability
Get quality sleep/sleep routine
Daily physical activity
Eat a balanced diet
Limit your exposure to negative media
Get counselling
Tips for managing a PTSD episode
Deep breathing; count your breaths
Remind yourself the actual traumatic event is over
Return your attention to the present
Grounding skills (what can you see, hear, smell)
Splash water on your face
Progressive muscle relaxation
Physical exercise
Seek comfort (hug a pet)