PTSD Treatment
When we experience or witness a traumatic event such as an accident, natural disaster, assault, or abuse, our body’s natural response is fear. However, for people who have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), they continue to feel frightened even in the absence of imminent danger. This reaction is overwhelming and can have a profound impact on overall well-being.
People with PTSD may find it difficult to navigate their daily experiences because they often feel on the edge and vigilant about almost everything that resembles the traumatic event. This heightened state of sensory sensitivity makes them overly conscious, which may lead to feelings of intense fear, anxiety, anger, and even sadness. This experience clearly describes how it feels to have PTSD.
Many of us experience a traumatic event at some point in our lives, but do not let this single situation entirely strip away our motivation, sense of purpose, goals, and quality of life. If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of PTSD, let them know that recovery is possible when they seek help early from a mental health professional.
What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a form of trauma and stress-related disorder that develops after experiencing or witnessing one or more traumatic events such as actual or threatened death, serious injury, sexual violence, exposure to war as a combatant or civilian, natural or human-made disasters, and severe motor vehicle accidents, to name a few.
While the clinical presentation of PTSD varies, most individuals show significant changes in cognition, emotion, and behaviour, which usually start within the first 3 months after exposure to trauma, although some symptoms may be delayed by months or even years.
What are the Symptoms of PTSD?
Recognising the symptoms of PTSD can be quite challenging because they share similarities with other mental health disorders, particularly depression and anxiety. But what sets PTSD apart from those conditions is the presence of the following symptoms after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event:
- Intrusion: There are either recurrent intrusive memories of the traumatic event, distressing dreams related to the trauma event, flashbacks in which the individual feels or acts as if the traumatic event were occurring, or psychological distress and physiological reactions at exposure to internal and external cues.
- Avoidance: The individual avoids distressing memories, thoughts and feelings, or external reminders about the traumatic event, such as people, places, or activities.
- Negative Alterations in Cognition and Moods: The individual may not be able to remember aspects of the traumatic event and may holdnegative beliefs about oneself, others, or the world. The individual may also experience negative emotions such as fear, guilt, or shame.
- Arousal and Reactivity: The individual may manifest irritable behaviour and an angry outburst, self-destructive behaviour, hypervigilance, difficulties in concentration, and sleep problems.
What are the Causes of PTSD?
If you are dealing with PTSD, the most crucial step is finding appropriate treatment options that suit your needs to break free from the condition. Here are some of the interventions that can be used to alleviate the symptoms and find relief from PTSD.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is one of the most recommended treatmentsfor people who are experiencing PTSD symptoms. It works by addressing the thoughts, emotions, and behaviours that are associated with traumatic events. The therapist assists the individual in identifying the automatic negative thoughts about the trauma and reconstructing them by challenging, modifying, or replacing them to change the individual’s way of thinking. As the therapy progresses, the therapist starts introducing ways to modify maladaptive behaviours or cope with trauma.
Cognitive Processing Therapy
A variant of CBT, Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), works similarly to it. The therapy begins with psychoeducation or a discussion about the nature, causes, symptoms, and rationale of the treatment of PTSD. The subsequent sessions focus on identifying automatic negative thoughts that may be maintaining the PTSD symptoms. A more formal thought process happens when the individual is asked to write down the worst traumatic experience and read it in detail while the therapist performs socratic questioning. This procedure helps the individual learn skills for questioning unhelpful thoughts, which could be used to modify beliefs related to the trauma.
Stress Inoculation Training
Stress Inoculation Training (SIT) is also a form of talk therapy that focuses on helping individuals find new ways of dealing with PTSD symptoms. The therapist teaches them skills to react differently in stressful situations. The first few sessions begin with identifying the sources of stress and the usual strategies used to deal with them. The goal of the therapy is to replace unhealthy habits with more helpful ways of coping.
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Treatment
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is an alternative form of treatment for PTSD that aims to help individuals become more aware of their thoughts, emotions, behaviours, and bodily sensations associated with trauma. Individuals will learn how to tolerate distress and accept their experiences without judgment by cultivating mindfulness.
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is considered one of the gold-standard treatments for stress and trauma-related conditions. The goal of EMDR is to assist individuals in processing their traumatic memories by recalling them while simultaneously engaging in various bilateral stimulations, including eye movements, taps, and auditory cues. Individuals can develop a more adaptive and rational way of thinking by processing these memories. EMDR is delivered through eight distinct phases: history taking, preparation, assessment, desensitisation, installation, body scan, closure, and re-evaluation.
Prolonged Exposure (PE)
Another highly structured and trauma-focused approach used to treat PTSD is Prolonged Exposure (PE) therapy. PE is usually delivered between eight and 15 sessionswhere individuals undergo either imaginal or in vivo exposure. The main objective of PE is to teach individuals to gradually confront their trauma-related memories, feelings, and situations in order to recognize that they are not dangerous and do not need to be avoided.
Group Therapy
Group therapy is recognised for improving PTSD symptoms and can be an alternative treatment for those who do not prefer individualized psychotherapy. The primary goal of this intervention is to create a supportive space where individuals can safely process their traumatic experiences. Group therapy is facilitated by a trained therapist who acts as a moderator of group discussions about the participants’ trauma, coping skills, and healing journey.
Regain Control of Your Life
Whether you are here to learn more about PTSD, explore treatment options, seek support, or discover ways to recover from trauma or other mental health problems, Sivana Rehab reminds you that you are not alone in your journey.
We understand that it might be challenging and consuming to share your traumatic narratives and stories, but an early intervention can transform your despair into hope.
Connect with us, and let’s begin the journey together.