Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a condition that originates from a terrifying experience involving physical harm or the threat of physical harm. A person who develops PTSD may have been harmed directly or witnessed firsthand harmful events such as rape, assault, child abuse, combat, motor vehicle accidents, or natural disasters. While some people who go through traumatic events may recover over time and with good self-care after a difficult coping period, those who develop PTSD struggle to progress in their recovery during the months or years following trauma.
Common PTSD symptoms may include:
People with PTSD may feel anxious or fearful, emotionally numb (especially with those close to them), lose interest in activities, struggle with affection or intimacy, or become easily irritable, aggressive, or even violent. They avoid triggers or situations that remind them of the disturbing incident, and individuals or anniversaries associated with the incident can be distressing. Most people with PTSD experience intrusive thoughts about it or repeatedly relive the trauma while awake or in dreams. These flashbacks may consist of images, sounds, smells, or feelings, and are often triggered by ordinary occurrences, such as a door slamming or a car backfiring on the street, or an encounter with a stranger that reminds the individual of their abuser.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapy approach effective in treating the trauma that underlies a wide range of mental health issues. EMDR incorporates a combination of bilateral stimulation, such as tapping or eye movements, and cognitive processing to help individuals heal from distressing experiences and negative beliefs. This therapy is based on the idea that traumatic experiences can remain unprocessed in the brain, causing symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD. EMDR therapists help individuals reprocess these memories in a safe and structured environment, alleviating the associated symptoms. EMDR is often recommended for individuals who have experienced trauma, but it can also be helpful adjunct treatment for a range of other concerns such as anxiety, phobias, and low self-esteem. During the central phases, the EMDR therapist guides the client in identifying negative beliefs related to specific experiences. These negative beliefs are then challenged and shifted into the more accepting, positive beliefs that the client wishes to adopt.
Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE) is an evidence-based, highly efficacious treatment for chronic PTSD and related depression, anxiety, and anger. Based on the principles of cognitive-behavioral therapy, it is designed to be flexible in helping clients process their unique traumatic experiences and reduce trauma-induced psychological disturbances. Through a carefully-designed progression of in vivo (real-life) and imaginary exposures, individuals learn to challenge erroneous associations between their traumatic memories and present-day life. During this process, relaxation techniques are also practiced to help regulate distress and calm the body when the fear response kicks in. In addition to reducing symptoms of PTSD, PE develops the ability to discriminate safe and unsafe situations, improves various aspects of daily functioning, and increases the ability to cope with confidence rather than fearfulness when facing stress. Contact Indy OCD to start treatment with a trauma therapist today.
Common PTSD symptoms may include:
- Intrusive memories, flashbacks, or dreams of the traumatic event
- Severe distress or physical reactions to reminders of the traumatic event
- Avoiding thinking or talking about the traumatic event
- Avoiding places, activities or people that remind you of the traumatic event
- Memory problems, including not remembering elements of the traumatic event
- Negative thoughts about oneself, other people, the world, or the future
- Feeling detached or struggling to maintain close relationships
- Lack of interest in activities you once enjoyed
- Overwhelming guilt or shame
- Being easily startled or maintaining vigilance for danger
- Difficulty regulating sleep, concentration, or feelings of anger
- Self-destructive behavior, such as drinking, drug use, or reckless driving
People with PTSD may feel anxious or fearful, emotionally numb (especially with those close to them), lose interest in activities, struggle with affection or intimacy, or become easily irritable, aggressive, or even violent. They avoid triggers or situations that remind them of the disturbing incident, and individuals or anniversaries associated with the incident can be distressing. Most people with PTSD experience intrusive thoughts about it or repeatedly relive the trauma while awake or in dreams. These flashbacks may consist of images, sounds, smells, or feelings, and are often triggered by ordinary occurrences, such as a door slamming or a car backfiring on the street, or an encounter with a stranger that reminds the individual of their abuser.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapy approach effective in treating the trauma that underlies a wide range of mental health issues. EMDR incorporates a combination of bilateral stimulation, such as tapping or eye movements, and cognitive processing to help individuals heal from distressing experiences and negative beliefs. This therapy is based on the idea that traumatic experiences can remain unprocessed in the brain, causing symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD. EMDR therapists help individuals reprocess these memories in a safe and structured environment, alleviating the associated symptoms. EMDR is often recommended for individuals who have experienced trauma, but it can also be helpful adjunct treatment for a range of other concerns such as anxiety, phobias, and low self-esteem. During the central phases, the EMDR therapist guides the client in identifying negative beliefs related to specific experiences. These negative beliefs are then challenged and shifted into the more accepting, positive beliefs that the client wishes to adopt.
Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE) is an evidence-based, highly efficacious treatment for chronic PTSD and related depression, anxiety, and anger. Based on the principles of cognitive-behavioral therapy, it is designed to be flexible in helping clients process their unique traumatic experiences and reduce trauma-induced psychological disturbances. Through a carefully-designed progression of in vivo (real-life) and imaginary exposures, individuals learn to challenge erroneous associations between their traumatic memories and present-day life. During this process, relaxation techniques are also practiced to help regulate distress and calm the body when the fear response kicks in. In addition to reducing symptoms of PTSD, PE develops the ability to discriminate safe and unsafe situations, improves various aspects of daily functioning, and increases the ability to cope with confidence rather than fearfulness when facing stress. Contact Indy OCD to start treatment with a trauma therapist today.