POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER
Posttraumatic stress disorder (or PTSD) has received more coverage in the media due to recent wars in the Middle East and increases in diagnoses among combat veterans. As the name suggests, PTSD is a disorder that occurs following a traumatic event in which someone felt that their life was in danger. Overwhelmingly strong experiences of panic can occur when individuals are reminded of their traumatic experiences, and sufferers also have nightmares about the events they endured, or experience increased vigilance to possible threats that is excessive in most situations. PTSD can occur in response to combat, but can also manifest after any trauma, including physical and/or sexual attacks, accidents or disasters.
After a person experiences a traumatic event, the brain often struggles to make sense of what happened. People also tend to remember things more vividly when they are feeling strong emotions (like fear). Sometimes, although not all the time, a person will begin to experience emotional symptoms after an event. In the case of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), people often re-experience the traumatic event in invasive ways such as in nightmares, flashbacks and unwanted thoughts, and often feel that their emotions have become “numb.” When these impairments occur, sometimes coupled with when a person starts to fear and/or avoid situations which remind them of the trauma, people often begin to seek help.
Treatment for PTSD involves confronting what happened in the past and learning to manage unpleasant emotions in the present. This type of therapy takes a number of forms, but usually includes the patient discussing and processing the traumatic event with their clinician and actively practicing skills which will help them to navigate without avoiding or reacting negatively to situations in daily life. The ultimate goal is to re-establish a feeling of safety which was lost during the trauma.
Treatment for PTSD at the Anxiety Treatment Center of Austin
When looking for a therapist to address PTSD, it is important for people to find someone with whom they are comfortable. Some aspects of a therapist (such as their gender, age, or interpersonal style) might trigger difficult thoughts and feelings, especially when discussing a traumatic event. It is also important to select a therapist who listens well. People in treatment for PTSD should aim to feel heard, not rushed, and comfortable with their style. At the Anxiety Treatment Center of Austin, the anxiety specialists work with patients to process their experiences while providing support and encouragement.