PTSD Counseling
Many people with PTSD tend to re-experience the ordeal that set the disease in motion.
This is especially true when they are exposed to events or objects reminiscent of the trauma.
Symptoms associated with reliving the traumatic event:
Having bad dreams about the event or something similar
Behaving or feeling as if the event were actually happening all over again (known as flashbacks)
Having a lot of emotional feelings when reminded of the event
Having a lot of physical sensations when reminded of the event (heart pounds or misses a beat, sweating, difficulty breathing, feeling faint, feeling a loss of control)
Symptoms related to avoidance of reminders of the traumatic event:
- Avoiding thoughts, conversations, or feelings about the event
- Avoiding people, activities, or places associated with the event
- Having difficulty remembering an important part of the original trauma
Changes frequently made after the event:
- Loss of interest in things previously considered important
- Feeling detached from people
- Feeling emotionally numb and finds it hard to have loving feelings even toward those who are close
- Difficulty falling or staying asleep
- Irritability and anger
- Difficulty concentrating
- Feeling that one is not going to live long and there is no reason to plan for the future
- Feeling easily startled
- Always on guard
Types of Trauma
Impersonal Trauma – Random occurrences or “Acts of God”
Interpersonal Trauma– Deliberately caused and or committed by one or more people that is planned and premeditated (abuse, neglect, assault, sexual abuse
Attachment Trauma or (Relational Trauma) – neglect, emotional , physical sexual abuse, domestic violence which occurs in a caretaking relationship or a romantic partnership
Betrayal Trauma– Domestic Violence
Secondary Trauma– The protector doesn’t protect the victim (rape)
Institutional Trauma– The traumatic event is covered up and ignored, or the victim is punished (abuse by clergy)
Identity Trauma – discrimination, violence due to gender, race, ethnicity
PTSD counseling helps with the following medical or emotional issues:
- Stomach problems
- Intestinal problems
- Gynecological problems
- Weight gain or loss
- Chronic pain (back, neck, pelvic area in women)
- Problems getting to sleep
- Problems staying asleep
- Headaches
- Skin rashes and other problems
- Irritability, quick temper, other anger problems
- Nightmares
- Depression
- Lack of energy, chronic fatigue
- Alcoholism and other substance use problems
- General anxiety
- Panic attacks