Having or experiencing trauma can be a life altering experience. The symptoms are severe and intrusive. Getting a better understanding of PTSD, and it’s treatment is your first step to recovery.

The first thing we should do is get a solid comprehension of what PTSD is, and understand the symptoms. Next we can explore how treatment and counseling is administered.

What is PTSD?

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder is a specific mental health diagnosis regarding symptoms of Trauma. In order to be diagnosable as “PTSD”, characteristic symptoms must be present for 1 month or longer. If symptoms have not been present for at least 1 month, the diagnosis is identified as, “Acute Stress Disorder”

According to the 5th addition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders (DSM-5), PTSD is caused by exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence. This exposure can be from:

-Directly experiencing a trauma event.

-Witnessing a trauma event as it occurs in others.

-Learning that a traumatic event occurred to a close family member or loved one.

-Repeated extreme exposure to adverse traumatic events.

Repeated exposure is often why first responders and military personnel are susceptible to the development of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. The intensity and repetition of the events they encounter are very often traumatic in nature.

It is important to note that just because a person is exposed to a trauma event, doesn’t necessarily mean they will develop Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Science is still investigating why some people develop PTSD, while others do not, or seem to have a greater resilience to it. Science suggests that genetics may play a role.

Symptoms of PTSD:

-Intrusive symptoms. This means there is a presence of unwelcome intrusive thoughts, memories or dreams that can suddenly arise in someone experiencing PTSD. Often a trigger or reminder can set off intrusive thoughts, or memories that are distressing in the moment. Intrusive symptoms can also include flashbacks, and dissociation.

-Avoidance. Avoidance can involve thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. People may “push down”, or “push away” unpleasant emotions. People may avoid thinking about or processing thoughts surrounding their trauma. People may seek avoidant behaviors like substance abuse, or physically escape from anything that might remind them of their trauma.

-Cognitive changes and Mood changes. This means that people can develop unhealthy thoughts as coping mechanisms to help them avoid triggers or reminders. For example, if a person’s trauma has to do with a terrible car accident, they may develop exaggerated ideas about the danger and risks of being a passenger in, or operating a motor vehicle. This might help them avoid being a passenger, or avoid being expected to “drive”. Mood changes can occur as increased irritability, prolonged periods of depression, panic, or intrusive feelings of anxiety.

-Changes in arousal. A person can become suddenly extremely anxious and hyper vigilant. They might also experience a change in their stress response system. In other words, it may take them longer to de-escalate from a stress episode, while also experiencing an exaggerated reaction to everyday stressors.

Now that we have a greater understanding of what PTSD is and how it’s diagnosed, let’s explore how it is treated. It is important when seeking treatment, that your counselor is “trauma informed”. This means the counselor has had clinical exposure and training that is specifically geared towards the treatment of Trauma. Meadowmist Counseling and Family Practice is a “Trauma Informed Provider".

Treatments in Therapy:

-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. These therapeutic approaches help an individual change patterns of thinking and behavior that make PTSD symptoms worse.

-Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. This treatment helps a client build a "trauma narrative" in which they practice explaining and expressing the trauma events as they unfold in a safe and supportive environment. This form of treatment helps a person resolve the intense emotional symptoms associated with their trauma.

-Exposure Therapy. This type of therapy is administered carefully to safely expose the individual to triggers, and trauma reminders. This gradual process helps an individual become aware of their triggers, and gradually alter their response by adaptive desensitization. In other words, when you practice productively facing fearful reminders in a slow and careful way, you gradually develop a more balanced, and less distressing emotional reaction.

-Instruction in self-soothing, and self-de-escalation techniques. This kind of training and exercise can help manage stress by helping you concentrate on what’s going on in the present moment. This takes attention away from intrusive thoughts, and catastrophizing fears.

-Medication. Medication intervention is administered by a Medical Doctor to help a patient reduce symptoms in order to help the process of corrective behavioral therapy.

My name is Sean Alexander, LCSW and I am a Trauma Informed Counselor. I have administered care and treatment to severely traumatized individuals in hospital settings over the course of my career. I have the skills and knowledge to help you. PTSD and trauma related challenges are difficult to manage, but can be effectively treated with the right provider.

Call me for a free consultation today! I am ready to be your partner and support in recovery! Call: 832-349-4811