Many clients come to me searching for help dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder. Some realize they are suffering with it, while others may not be aware of the severity of it.
PTSD occurs when someone has been the victim of or has witnessed a terrifying event where there was a threat of death, serious injury, or harm to themselves or others. It has caused the person to feel intense fear, helplessness, and/or horror.
PTSD can occur from experiencing a traumatic event, witnessing others experience trauma, learning about a traumatic event that occurred to a close friend or family member, or experiencing repeated exposure to difficult events.
Symptoms include:
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Nightmares
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Disturbing memories and thoughts
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Trouble sleeping
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Feeling irritable, scared, or angry
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Trouble concentrating
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Experiencing flashbacks
PTSD statistics
PTSD is often affiliated with individuals who serve in the military, but did you know that more than 8 million Americans 18 and older have PTSD? 3.6% of the US adult population have experienced PTSD in the past year and 67% of people exposed to mass violence experience PTSD—a higher rate than those exposed to natural disasters or other traumatic events.
How therapy can help
If you experience PTSD then you’ve probably noticed a heightened sense of danger, stress and anxiety that occurs when your mind and body don’t know how to put traumatic events in the past. Having PTSD can affect your ability to work, socialize, relax and live a ‘normal’ life.
Have you had an experience recently that randomly pops up in your mind? Or a memory about an event that keeps coming to mind out of nowhere? When the memory comes up do you feel like you are right back in the moment living the nightmare?
Maybe you’re having upsetting dreams or thoughts about the event. Or even experiencing severe emotional and physical reactions when you think about the event. You might find yourself trying to avoid talking or thinking about the event, people, places, or activities surrounding it. And your self-confidence, memory, and personality may even feel different.
Many patients come to me feeling hopeless and looking for ways to overcome traumatic experiences. If feeling positive is difficult for you, or you find yourself having emotional outbursts, feelings of guilt, or shame, then PTSD therapy can help!
The thing about PTSD is that symptoms can ebb and flow as you progress through life. You might experience more intense feelings when you are stressed out or when you experience things that remind you of your memory. But I can help you manage and work through this so it’s not debilitating to your mental and physical health.
Treatment
When I treat patients with PTSD, first I take the time to get to know them. To hear what happened, how it has affected their lives, and what changes they want to make.
I teach the skills needed to feel calm and to identify the very first time you remember feeling this way. I examine how your physical health is affected and find solutions for this as well.
The most effective therapy for PTSD is EMDR therapy.
If you’ve experienced symptoms of PTSD or find yourself wanting to hurt yourself or attempt suicide, please dial 911.
Contact me or a therapist to help you establish a plan to overcome disturbing thoughts and feelings about a traumatic event.
I can help you get control of your life. The earlier you are able to get help, the more successful you will be in preventing symptoms from getting worse.