Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

The National Institute of Mental Health, defines Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in the following way:

“PTSD is a disorder that develops in some people who have experienced a shocking, scary, or dangerous event.

It is natural to feel afraid during and after a traumatic situation. Fear triggers many split-second changes in the body to help defend against danger or to avoid it. This “fight-or-flight” response is a typical reaction meant to protect a person from harm. Nearly everyone will experience a range of reactions after trauma, yet most people recover from initial symptoms naturally. Those who continue to experience problems may be diagnosed with PTSD. People who have PTSD may feel stressed or frightened even when they are not in danger.”

 

You may be experiencing symptoms such as:

• hyper alertness
• fear and anxiety
• nightmares and flashbacks
• sight, sound, and smell recollection
• avoidance of recall situations
• anger and irritability
• guilt
• depression
• increased substance abuse
• negative world view
• decreased sexual activity

At HHC, we do not diagnose PTSD and if you find that you are experiencing these symptoms, then please consult a medical doctor or a psychiatrist to get checked and possibly receive a diagnosis.

HHC therapists go beyond talk therapy to heal trauma. The approach is rooted in our understanding of the bi-directional communication between our thoughts and our physiology and in accessing the problem through the felt sense.

 

In addition, at HHC there are therapists trained in trauma-informed psychotherapy. This form of psychotherapy has two parts to it:

• Phase 1 Trauma Stabilization – This phase of treatment focuses on clients mastering techniques to effectively calm themselves and explore the ways in which the original trauma has affected their lives. This phase of treatment is extremely important in improving the coping patterns of the client with regards to their PTSD symptoms.
• Phase 2 Trauma Reprocessing – This phase can be introduced if the client has completed phase 1 and feels ready to reprocess the way in which his psyche associates with and stores the trauma memory. One of the most effective modalities for Phase 2 Reprocessing is called EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) Therapy. To learn more about EMDR, click here.