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Post
Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
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Symptoms
of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
may develop in people who have been through life-threatening
and otherwise disturbing experiences involving trauma.
These can take various
forms, including flashbacks (sometimes as if the experience
were still happening), nightmares, unexplained physical
symptoms such as sudden sweating or trembling and other
unusual nervous reactions, repeating often inexplicable
feelings of terror, hyper vigilance, loss of confidence,
panic attacks etc. Sufferers may be unaware of the origin
of many of these symptoms and they can hence lead to depression,
anxiety, addiction and other conditions. Untreated PTSD
symptoms can, in time, make the living of an ordinary
life very difficult.
Changing the
condition:
As a result of recent understandings of the emotional
system in the brain, it is possible to make very rapid
and effective progress with this condition using respectful
brief therapy interventions where clients are committed
to change. It is part of the job of the therapist to
amplify the client’s motivation – good therapists
appreciate how discouraged new clients may feel as a
result of living with the condition.
Realistic and
effective therapy for PTSD
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does not involve re-living traumatic experiences endlessly
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does not involve embarrassing self revelation
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is holistic and respectful of the client
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does employ highly effective ways to re-educate the brain
and emotional system
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does teach the client ways to relax deeply and use effective
imaginative methods
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does also teach useful accompanying thinking and action,
including an understanding of the emotional brain and
how to work with automatic reactions
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does not require many sessions
How does it work?
Methods resemble those used successfully with phobias
by HG therapists. Through the skilled use of the relaxation
response combined with specific, targeted forms of guided
imagery, parts of the emotional brain are re-educated,
emotional memories are ‘stored’ differently
(in the neo cortex, rather than in the amygdala) and
automatic reactions are altered.
How many sessions?
PTSD symptoms are often significantly altered after
one session. However, 3 sessions are usually recommended
to deal with PTSD symptoms fully. Where there are multiple
accompanying concerns, several more sessions may be
required.
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