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PTSD OR POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER CAN AFFECT INDIVIDUALS IN MANY WAYS. UNDERSTANDING HOW YOU ACQUIRE IT AND WHAT ITS SYMPTOMS ARE IS VERY IMPORTANT.

LETS DISCUSS EXACTLY WHAT IT IS, HOW WE GET IT, AND HOW WE CAN REDUCE ITS SYMPTOMS.

PTSD is a Normal Response to a Traumatic Event

It is sometimes called the invisible wound. We need to know what it is and how it manifests.

  • GENERAL POPULATION LIFETIME RISK 8.7% (this is for the general population at large)

  • RATES OF PTSD ARE HIGHER AMONG VETERANS AND OTHERS WHOSE VOCATION INCREASES THE RISK OF TRAUMATIC EXPOSURE (E.G., POLICE, FIREFIGHTERS, EMERGENCY MEDICAL PERSONNEL).

  • HIGHEST RATES (RANGING FROM 33% to 50% OF THOSE EXPOSED TO TRAUMA) ARE FOUND AMONG SURVIVORS OF RAPE, MILITARY COMBAT, AND CAPTIVITY.

  • THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF PTSD: PTSD AND COMPLEX PTSD AND DIFFERENT WAYS TO INCUR IT.

  • PRIMARY TRAUMA --WHEN YOU ARE INVOLVED IN A TRAUMATIC EVENT.

  • SECONDARY TRAUMA --WHEN YOU HAVE WITNESSED SOMEONE ELSE BEING INJURED OR TRAUMATIZED.

  • ENVIRONMENTAL TRAUMA --WHEN YOU ARE LIVING WITH SOMEONE WHO WAS TRAUMATIZED SUCH AS A HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR.

  • LONG TERM CHRONIC PROLONGED STRESS WHICH IS CUMULATIVE. THIS STRESS CAN AFFECT INDIVIDUALS MENTALLY, PHYSICALLY AND EMOTIONALLY. 

PTSD AFFECTS THE BRAIN

  • IT SHRINKS THE HIPPOCAMPUS

  • IT INCREASES THE ACTIVITY IN THE AMYGDALA

  • IT REDUCES THE PREFRONTAL CORTEX

  • DURING FLASHBACKS ONLY THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE BRAIN LIGHTS UP.

  • THERE IS A SHIFT OT ONE SIDE OF THE BRAIN.

  • THE LEFT SIDE DEACTIVATES.

OUR BODY CHEMISTRY CHANGES WHEN WE PERCEIVE OR THINK WE ARE IN DANGER

OR THAT THERE IS A THREAT!

  • WE RELEASE CERTAIN CHEMICALS THAT HELP US RESPOND TO THE PERCEIVED THREAT SUCH AS NORADRENALINE, DOPAMINE, SEROTONIN.

  • OUR HEART RATE INCREASES WHICH GIVES US INCREASED ENERGY FLOW TO OUR MUSCLES TO FIGHT OR FLEE THE THREAT.

  • OUR PUPILS DILATE SO WE CAN ZERO IN MORE ACCURATELY TO THE SPECIFIC DANGER, BUT WE LOSE OUR PERIPHERAL VISION.

  • OUR BLOOD VESSELS CONSTRICT AND OUR LARGE MUSCLES TIGHTEN WHICH HELPS READY US TO RUN OR FIGHT.

  • OUR FRONTAL LOBES WHICH CONTROL EXECUTIVE FUNCTION SHUTS DOWN. WE NEED TO RUN, NOT THINK IN THE MOMENT.

  • WE EXPERIENCE RAPID BREATHING WHICH GIVES US EXTRA OXYGEN PROVIDING INCREASED ENERGY TO OUR MUSCLES FOR RUNNING OR FIGHTING.

  • WE EXPERIENCE COLD HANDS SINCE ENERGY IS BEING DIVERTED TO OUR LARGE MUSCLES HELPING US TO BETTER RUN OR FIGHT.

  • DIGESTIVE SHUT DOWN. 

WITH PTSD WE STAY IN THIS DIS-REGULATED STATE OF AROUSAL AND OUR BODY DOES NOT RETURN TO BASELINE FUNCTIONING.

Click to Edit This PTSD CAN BE TREATED AND ITS SYMPTOMS CAN BE MITIGATED, REDUCED AND OR ELIMINATEDTitle

  • Our brains have the capacity for neuroplasticity. They can rewire.

  • We need to talk about and process our chronological trauma narrative in a supportive environment in a calm relaxed body.

  • We need to learn to use self-regulation techniques, deep breathing techniques, and anxiety reducing grounding techniques.

  • We can initiate anger management strategies and techniques.

  • Participate in psychotherapy with a professional trauma focused therapist.

  • Use visual imagery, safe place imagery anchors, self-talk, centering, meditation, mindfulness, and music to calm our body and quiet our mind.

  • Use Hypnosis, EEG biofeedback, EDMR,neurofeedback therapies to release the trauma and rewire the brain circuits.

  • Maintain a goal of positive expectancy and hope.

  • Engage in relapse prevention and ongoing support.

  • Take appropriate medications.

  • Develop and maintain strong secure relationships with family and friends and pets.

  • Feel safe. Be inspired. Engage in a spiritual belief system.

  • Participate in activities in which you feel proficient and capable.

  • Relax the ventral vagal system by using the peripheral vision exercise.

  • Vagus nerve stimulation paired with exposure therapy. 

  1. Have you been exposed to a life threatening event?

  2. Have you witnessed a life threatening event as it occurred to another person?

  3. Have you learned about a traumatic event that occurred to a close family member or friend in your life?

  4. Have you experienced extreme exposure to unpleasant details of a traumatic event? This exposure could be work related such as first responders collecting human remains, or witnessing repeated exposure to traumatic events of others? This exposure could also come from electronic media, movies or pictures (e.g., transcribing tapes of traumatic events...). 

YOU COULD BE AT RISK TO DEVELOP PTSD!

  • HAVE YOU EXPERIENCED ANY OF THESE SYMPTOMS FOR LONGER THAN 6 MONTHS?

  • FLASHBACKS VISUAl, SMELL, AUDITORY, EMOTIONAL FEELING, PSYCHOLOGICAL?

  • NIGHTMARES?

  • BODY MEMORIES?

  • FRIGHTENING THOUGHTS?

  • EXCESSIVE WORRY?

  • EASY TO STARTLE?

  • OVER REACT TO EVENTS?

  • TENSE?

  • ANGRY?

  • IRRITABLE?

  • STRESSED?

  • DISASSOCIATED?

  • DETACHED EMOTIONALLY OR PROFESSIONALLY?

  • HYPERVIGILANT TO YOUR SURROUNDINGS?

  • AVOIDING SITUATIONS THAT TRIGGER MEMORIES OF THE TRAUMATIC EVENT? THIS COULD INCLUDE AVOIDING CERTAIN PLACES, THINGS, IMAGES, CONVERSATIONS OR THOUGHTS?

  • SUPPRESSION OF MEMORIES?

  • DEPRESSION?

  • ISOLATION?

  • TIREDNESS?

  • SADNESS?

  • SOCIAL AND OR EMOTIONAL WITHDRAWAL?

  • INABILITY TO EXPERIENCE POSITIVE EMOTIONS?

  • RELATIONSHIP PROBLEMS?

  • IMPAIRED RELATIONSHIPS?

  • REDUCED EMOTIONAL INTIMACY IN? RELATIONSHIPS?

  • POOR INTERACTIONS WITH CO-WORKERS AND/OR FAMILY AND FRIENDS?

  • POOR CONCENTRATION?

  • PROCRASTINATION?

  • INTERRUPTED SLEEP PATTERNS?

  • DISTURBED SLEEP OR DISTURBING DREAMS?

  • PANIC ATTACKS?

  • GIVING UP ACTIVITIES YOU ONCE ENJOYED?

  • OVER EATING?

  • FEELING GUILTY?

  • SELF BLAME?

  • DISSOCIATION?

  • DETACHMENT--PERSONALLY AND PROFESSIONALLY?

  • EMOTIONALLY DISTANCING?

  • DEPERSONALIZATION?

  • SELF-DESTRUCTIVE OR RECKLESS BEHAVIOR?

  • HOSTILITY TO OTHERS?

  • ANGER OUTBURSTS?

  • LOSING YOUR TEMPER EASILY?

  • HYPERVIGILANCE--SCANNING THE ENVIRONMENT?

  • NIGHT SWEATS?

  • USING MOOD ALTERING SUBSTANCES SUCH AS ALCOHOL OR RECREATIONAL DRUGS?

  • PHYSICAL COMPLAINTS?

  • NOT CARING ABOUT ANYTHING?

  • SUICIDAL?

  • TRYING TO NUMB THE PAIN BY USING ALCOHOL

  • FEELING HOPELESS?

  • EXPERIENCING LOSS OF SELF?

  • EXPERIENCING LOSS OF FAITH?

  • FEELING AS IF THE THE WHOLE WORLD IS A DANGEROUS PLACE?

  • PERSISTENT NEGATIVE STATE OF MIND?

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