Maybe you’re wondering whether or not what you’re experiencing is PTSD. PTSD is a combination of symptoms that we have the tendency to develop after experiencing a traumatic event. The symptoms can develop whenever we experience any form of trauma that we cannot fully comprehend, process, or accept while it is happening – creating an “emotional backlog.” This causes us to experience emotional ripple effects long after the moment of trauma has passed.
Trauma occurs when you experience any event you perceive as harmful or threatening to your safety or the safety of someone else. One of the hallmarks of trauma is the feeling of helplessness or responsibility to stop what was happening. If you believe you may be experiencing symptoms of PTSD, please reach out. We’re here to help.
If you are experiencing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, commonly known as PTSD, know that you’re not alone and it’s not hopeless. We offer Cognitive Processing Therapy, a therapeutic treatment for PTSD that has been ranked number one by the Veteran’s Administration and proven effective with all types of PTSD.
Typically, whenever we experience a traumatic event such as a car accident or the death of a loved one, we will experience symptoms immediately following for about a month or so. Think of this as the “initial processing phase.” This is the body and mind’s way of processing what we have just experienced that we could not process as it was happening. This phase can include nightmares, increased anxiety, irritability, tearfulness, and feelings of disconnection from others. These feelings and symptoms are all normal after experiencing a trauma. In cases where PTSD does NOT develop, however, this “initial processing phase” typically subsides after about a month and we move into the longer-term phase of grieving.
If the trauma is not processed, however, it can have lasting effects. Sometimes this happens because circumstances never allowed us to naturally enter into the “initial processing phase”. Other times, either the intensity or duration of the traumatic experience or our predisposition prior to the trauma, can cause us to get stuck in the initial processing phase, unable to move past the initial symptoms. This is what we call PTSD – when we get stuck in the initial processing phase, unable to move through them.
PTSD can leave you feeling numb, disconnected, and surreal. These symptoms can make it difficult to feel connected to others in your life, impossible to relate, and unable to access your emotions regularly. In turn, you may find yourself going back and forth between feelings of numbness, anxiety, and irritability. This emotional cycle can typically lead to feelings of depression after a while and commonly begins to cause problems in relationships as others try to figure out how to predict and manage your moods.
In the brain’s effort to process the trauma to help you get “unstuck”, you may experience recurring thoughts or memories of the traumatic experience. These may come in the form of nightmares, visual flashbacks, or simply intrusive thoughts about the experience. It’s not uncommon to also experience physical or emotional flashbacks. These symptoms can cause you to feel like you are back in those moments again, either physically or emotionally, even if you’re aware of your present physical surroundings.
Our clients with PTSD all share a few things in common. They’ve tried to forget what happened and “just move on,” but their body and their brain weren’t ready. They had no understanding of the biological need to process trauma once we are out of the situation and physically safe again or what that might look like. Often times, even if they know they need to deal with those memories, no one has ever provided them with any emotional tools to use, so the thought of wading into those thoughts and feelings “unarmed” seemed unthinkable.
You don’t have to go in “unarmed.” We can help you understand what’s happening to you and why. We can walk you through the steps of recovery so you don’t have to face it alone.
Cognitive Processing Therapy, similar to the cognitive aspects of CBT, was designed by some of the foremost experts in PTSD including Dr. Patricia Resick, and Dr. Candice Monson, and Dr. Kathleen Chard. These women have devoted their careers to researching effective treatments for those suffering with PTSD and are well established as experts in the field of trauma.
Cognitive Processing Therapy, also known as CPT, has been shown to be effective in helping you to feel the natural emotions that are often blocked out by PTSD and to challenge the thinking that is keeping you stuck.
CPT is typically broken down into three phases and provides a very structured course for therapy. The first phase involves exploring the significance of the trauma, the meaning behind it, and learning about the connection between what you think and how you feel. The second phase begins with exploring the trauma itself, retelling your story, and pinpointing how the trauma has impacted your view of yourself, the world, and others. At the point, you can begin identifying the points at which you’ve become “stuck” and unable to move past your traumatic experience. These stuck points are what cause you to relive the experience through intrusive flashbacks, memories, and dreams. The third and final phase, and what constitutes the bulk of therapy, is the process of using these identified “stuck points” to re-evaluate the trauma. You will also have the chance to explore how the trauma has impacted your view on many aspects of your life such as power and control, self-esteem, intimacy, trust, safety, and communication.
This therapy can be incredibly powerful as a means of helping you to move past the trauma, begin to reconnect with the world, and get back to living your life. While this therapy is not for everyone, if you are experiencing symptoms of PTSD, consider taking the free PTSD Screening online and/or speaking with a mental health professional.
Post-traumatic stress disorder, also known as PTSD, is often thought of as a “soldier’s disorder,” something our veterans bring back with them from combat. Our veterans certainly see their fair share of trauma in combat and many of them struggle with PTSD, at least to some degree, but war is not the only type of trauma.
Psychological trauma describes any situation that either threatens your safety or causes you to feel helpless. For this reason, there are many types of trauma that can result in PTSD. Below are a few examples.
Keep in mind that this is by no means an exhaustive list, but rather is intended to illustrate that there can be many types of trauma resulting in PTSD. In other words, just because your experience may not be listed here, does not mean it wasn’t traumatic for you.
This therapy can be incredibly powerful as a means of helping you to move past the trauma, begin to reconnect with the world, and get back to living your life. While this therapy is not for everyone, if you are experiencing symptoms of PTSD, consider taking the free PTSD Screening online and/or speaking with a mental health professional.
A big part of reclaiming your life is reconnecting with others. While those around you may not entirely understand what you’re going through, know that you are not alone and there are people and places out there that will understand. Here are just a few options you may find helpful.
Attend a free local support group for those of you who have lost someone close to you to homicide. The group meets the first and third Wednesday of every month at Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church.
If speaking in groups is not your thing, you may want to consider some of the online support forums available for PTSD. These forums can offer a way to share and connect with other individuals all over the world at any time, day or night. Here are a few examples of some of the online forums available for PTSD.
+ Support Groups is an open online forum where you can post, share, and get support from others who know your struggles.
Healthful Chat offers a real-time online chat room about PTSD that can help you feel reconnected.