Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can come following a traumatic experience. PTSD can show up as feelings of depressions, flashbacks, guilt and simply feeling that you are still stuck in the past somehow. For PTSD cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) has now become a useful technique. We will also look at hypnotherapy and I also strongly recommend EMDR as a treatment method for trauma. If you suffer from PTSD CBT has a straightforward approach. I will use aspects of CBT, EMDR and hypnotherapy to help clients who have experienced trauma. Get in touch to find out about sessions in London and online.
If you have PTSD CBT can help
PTSD, an acronym for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, is a condition that develops when someone has experienced or witnessed a traumatic event. PTSD can manifest in various ways and can significantly impact a person’s daily life, relationships, and overall well-being.
Now, what constitutes a traumatic event? Trauma, in this context, refers to any distressing experience that overwhelms an individual’s ability to cope, leaving a lasting impression on their psychological and emotional state. Common events that may lead to PTSD include:
- Combat Exposure: PTSD was first discussed in relation to war. Military personnel exposed to combat situations are at high risk of developing PTSD. This is due to the intense and life-threatening nature of their experiences.
- Physical Assault or Violence: Victims of physical assault, domestic violence, or violent crimes often struggle with PTSD symptoms, resulting from the trauma inflicted upon them.
- Natural Disasters: Survivors of natural disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, or floods may develop PTSD. Such events are sudden and catastrophic and so can be a shock to the system.
- Accidents or Serious Injuries: People involved in severe accidents resulting in significant physical harm or witnessing such incidents may also develop PTSD. These could be road traffic accidents, crimes or accidents.
- Childhood Trauma: Traumatic experiences during childhood, such as abuse, neglect, or the sudden loss of a loved one, can have long-lasting effects. Our experiences in childhood can contribute to the development of PTSD later in life.
It’s important to note that not everyone who experiences trauma will develop the disorder. Two people in eth same circumstances can react differently. Remember that factors such as genetics, resilience, and support systems all play significant roles in resilience and recovery. If you have experienced something traumatic and have PTSD CBT could really help you.
Common symptoms of PTSD
Common symptoms of PTSD. While symptoms can vary from person to person, they generally fall into four main categories. For PTSD CBT can really help lower some of these symptoms.
- Intrusive Thoughts: These are recurring and distressing memories, flashbacks, or nightmares related to the traumatic event. People with PTSD may feel as though they are reliving the experience, even when they are safe. For this symptom of PTSD CBT helps you reframe and think differently about the events.
- Avoidance Behaviours: People with PTSD often go to great lengths to avoid reminders of the traumatic event, including places, people, or activities that evoke distressing memories.
- Negative Changes in Thinking and Mood: PTSD can lead to feelings of guilt, shame, or persistent negative beliefs about oneself or the world. Emotional numbness, detachment from others, and a loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities are also common.
- Hyperarousal: People with PTSD may experience heightened levels of anxiety, irritability, or hypervigilance. They may have difficulty sleeping, concentrating, or controlling their emotions.
Therapy, particularly cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy, has been shown to be effective in helping people manage PTSD symptoms. I also use hypnotherapy for PTSD. PTSD CBT sessions can help you regain a sense of control and feel more calm. Additionally, for some medication and support groups can be valuable components of a comprehensive treatment plan.
PTSD CBT and hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy is a form of therapy that utilizes hypnosis to help you change how you feel about the present and the past. For PTSD CBT when combined with hypnotherapy can be very powerful. Hypnotherapy itself is about creating a state of deep relaxation and focused attention. This trance state allows you to access the subconscious mind more readily. In the context of PTSD treatment, hypnotherapy can be used to address and alleviate the symptoms associated with the disorder through several mechanisms:
- Accessing and Processing Traumatic Memories: During hypnosis, you can be guided to recall and confront traumatic memories in a safe and controlled environment. You can then process and reframe memories more effectively, reducing their emotional intensity and power over time.
- Reframing Negative Beliefs and Coping Strategies: Hypnotherapy, like CBT can help you identify and challenge negative beliefs. You can also consider coping strategies for PTSD symptoms. Through suggestion and visualization techniques, therapists can help clients adopt more adaptive thought patterns and coping mechanisms, empowering them to manage their symptoms more effectively.
- Enhancing Relaxation and Stress Management: Hypnotherapy induces a state of deep relaxation, which can be particularly beneficial for people with PTSD who often experience heightened levels of arousal and stress. By teaching relaxation techniques and providing people with tools to manage their stress response, hypnotherapy can help reduce overall symptom severity and improve quality of life.
- Addressing Comorbid Conditions: Many people with PTSD also experience comorbid conditions such as anxiety, depression, or insomnia. Hypnotherapy can be tailored to address these co-occurring symptoms, providing holistic treatment that targets the underlying issues contributing to the individual’s distress.
- Building Resilience and Self-Empowerment: Hypnotherapy for PTSD can help people build resilience and develop a sense of self-empowerment. It does this by tapping into their inner resources and strengths. Through guided imagery, positive affirmations, and visualisation exercises, hypnotherapy can help you cultivate a sense of mastery over symptoms and regain a sense of control in your daily life.
If you would like to find out more about PTSD CBT and hypnotherapy, get in touch today.
