Post-Traumatic Stress (Disorder) is something most everyone has heard about. It is not a result only from war but from any trauma experienced. There is a way to conquer PTSD.
What is PTSD exactly?
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a reaction that can develop in people who have been through or witnessed a traumatic event. It is triggered by a terrifying event. This event felt like your life, safety or the life of others around you, was threatened. It is estimated up to 12 percent of Australians will experience PTSD in their lifetime. Serious accidents and abuse are the leading causes of PTSD in Australia. A way has been discovered for those experiencing PTSD to conquer this devastating issue.
PTSD could result from:
- a car or other serious accident
- physical or sexual assault
- war
- abuse
- disasters such as bushfires or floods
- domestic violence
- an emotionally abusive or Narcissistic relationship
As a result, the person experiences feelings of intense fear, helplessness or anxiety, they often self-doubt and feel guarded.
It’s normal to have upsetting memories, feel on edge, or have trouble sleeping after a traumatic event. It may be hard to do normal daily activities, like go to work or school, spend time with people you care about, even go out socially or shopping. While most people start to feel better after a few weeks or months of experiencing a trauma, if it’s been longer than a few months and you’re still having symptoms, you may have PTSD.
If you have or are experiencing PTSD you may:
- feel physically and emotionally distressed when something reminds you of the event
- persistently feel distressed, negative or angry
- feel cut off from others
- have difficulties sleeping
- be easily angered or irritated
- engage in reckless or self-destructive behaviour
- feel on guard or vigilant
If these things have been happening for a month or more, you may be experiencing a degree of PTSD. People who have PTSD may feel stressed or frightened even when they are not in danger.
Anyone who has experienced a traumatic event can develop PTSD, however those involved in deliberate harm such as physical or sexual assault, had repeated traumatic experiences such as abuse or living in continued conflict, are at greater risk. Hypnotherapy has emerged as a credible, evidence-based treatment option for sufferers of PTSD. According to the Medicine National Institute of Health: “Hypnosis is associated with the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for two reasons: (1) the similarity between hypnotic phenomena and the symptoms of PTSD, and (2) the utility of hypnosis as a tool in treatment.”
What other problems can people with PTSD experience?
People with PTSD may also have other associated problems including:
- Feelings of hopelessness, shame, or despair
- Depression or anxiety
- Drinking or drug problems
- Physical symptoms or chronic pain
- Employment problems
- Relationship problems
Families can be torn apart, drug and alcohol problems can occur, careers destroyed and some sufferers are driven to suicide as a way of escaping the psychological and physical pain and anguish.
Too many people live with PTSD controlling their lives and the lives of their loved ones without accessing correct help and support.
Can children have PTSD?
Children can also suffer from PTSD too. They may experience symptoms described above or display other symptoms depending on their age. As children get older, their symptoms are more like those of adults.
PTSD symptoms in children include:
- Children under 6 may become upset if their parents are not close by, have trouble sleeping, or act out the ordeal or distress through play
- Children age 7 to 11 may also act out the trauma through play or drawings, have nightmares or become more irritable or aggressive. They may also avoid school or have trouble with schoolwork or friends
- Children age 12 to 18 have symptoms similar to adults: depression, anxiety, withdrawal, or irresponsible behaviour like substance or alcohol abuse or running away
Studies into Effective Hypnotherapy Treatment
A study by the University of Medicine and Pharmacy titled Meta-analysis for the efficacy of Hypnotherapy in Alleviating PTSD Symptoms (2016), found in favour of hypnosis-based treatment with hypnosis appearing to be effective in alleviating PTSD symptoms.
A report from the Journal of Traumatic Stress revealed that studies showed hypnotherapy had a positive effect on PTSD symptoms. Hypnotherapy demonstrated as a substantial beneficial treatment.
Hypnotherapy is Effective Treatment for PTSD
Treatments for PTSD may also help these other problems as they are often related. Medications are one way to lower some PTSD symptoms however they fail to treat the cause. Psychology treatment is another way if you have time to invest to recover slowly. It is our mind that is remembering and generating these emotions. Therefore, it is logical to understand the mind can also reduce and release these memories and emotions, after all, memories are stored within our subconscious mind. Hypnotherapy allows our mind to become more receptive to positive suggestions while releasing negative feelings. It is a natural therapy to release memories, fears and blocks that can create new responses, attitudes and behaviours quickly.
Hypnotherapy for PTSD is an evidence-based treatment that can effectively treat the symptoms and the underlying causes. An article in the Journal of Trauma and Treatment reported a study in Hypnosis for PTSD and stated, Instead of a repressed pain, the trauma event can become a simple memory, resilient to re-traumatization.
Some of the unique ways that hypnotherapy is effectively used in the treatment of PTSD:
- Immediate stress reduction by relaxation of both mind and body
- Reduce symptoms to slowly adjust reactions to the common triggers
- Enable the traumatic memory to disperse and be positioned merely as a memory of what was
- Specialised Virtual Hypnotherapy PTSD hypnosis session, enables the client to replay daily or as often as needed to continue recovery
For many people, effective treatments can get rid of symptoms altogether. Others find they have fewer symptoms or feel that their symptoms are less intense. Your symptoms don’t have to interfere with your everyday activities, work or relationships.
If you experience symptoms of PTSD that persist beyond a few weeks, visiting a doctor or a mental health professional is recommended. Virtual Hypnotherapy has also designed a specific session to reduce and conquer those PTSD feelings. If you need urgent help please call LifeLine on 13-11-14 (Australia) or your local support group.
NOTE: To support our Veterans and Service men and women, Virtual Hypnotherapy has a specifically designed PTSD treatment This session is offered Free to all veterans and those currently serving. Please contact us to request your free Veteran PTSD session.
References:
Beyond Blue, (2018), https://www.beyondblue.org.au/the-facts/anxiety/types-of-anxiety/ptsd
Journal Of Traumatic Stress, (2016), https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/ 10.1002/jts.22077
National Institute of Mental Health, (2016),https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/ topics/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/index.shtml
Picking up the Peaces, (2018), http://www.pickingupthepeaces.org.au/
US National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, (1990), https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2211565
