Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a type of Anxiety experienced by someone following a life threating or traumatic event. It is most commonly understood as something that occurs amongst veterans, but is also frequently experienced after other traumatic events such as a road traffic accident, an attack, a fire, physical or sexual abuse amongst other situations.
PTSD occurs when the brain hasn’t been able to fully process a traumatic event, and can result in flashbacks, nightmares and intrusive images of the event. It can continue on for many years if untreated, and often causes great distress as well as anger, depression, anxiety and many other difficult emotions. People with PTSD will typically avoid triggers such as certain places / people / smells / sounds that remind them of the trauma.
Key Symptoms
- Increased heart rate
- Stomach churning
- Nausea
- Sweating
- Increase in body temperature
- Shortness of breath
- Shaking
- Wobbly legs
- Tightness in chest
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Depression
- Anger
- Hypervigilance to potential danger
- Avoidance of triggers
- Flashbacks
- Nightmares
- Intrusive images
- Poor memory
- Difficulty concentrating
Treatment
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Re-processing (EMDR)
Contact us to book an assessment and discuss treatment options.