PTSD

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a disorder that affects people who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event.  The symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can arise suddenly, gradually, or come and go over time. They are triggered by something that reminds you of the original traumatic event, such as a noise, an image, certain words, or a smell.  Or it may feel like your symptoms come out of nowhere,

There are three main types of symptoms:

1.   Re-experiencing the traumatic event
2.   Avoiding reminders of the trauma
3.   Increased anxiety and emotional arousal

Nightmares, jittery, on edge, flashbacks, anxiety, and panic attacks are just some of symptoms people feel when experiencing PTSD.  People with PTSD often stay home to avoid “triggers” or use drugs or alcohol to numb their feelings.

Traumatic events that can lead to PTSD include:
·        Abuse
·        Rape
·        Sexual Abuse
·        Car or Plane Crashes
·        War
·        Sudden Death of a Loved One
·        Childhood Neglect
·        Witnessing People Being Injured or Dying
·        Any Event That Threatens Your Safety or Makes You Feel Helpless

For most people that experience a trauma, symptoms are short-lived.  After a few days or weeks, the symptoms gradually lift.  If you have PTSD, people don’t start to feel a little better each day, they may actually start to feel worse.  If you are suffering from these symptoms, there is help available so you can live your life free from the anxiety, constant worry, always feeling on “red alert,” nightmares, flashbacks, depression, isolation and panic attacks.

What type of PTSD treatment is available?

§  Trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy. Cognitive-behavioral therapy for PTSD and trauma involves carefully and gradually “exposing” yourself to thoughts, feelings, and situations that remind you of the trauma. Therapy also involves identifying upsetting thoughts about the traumatic event–particularly thoughts that are distorted and irrational—and replacing them with more balanced picture.

§  EMDR  Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is another type of therapy for PTSD. Like other kinds of counseling, it can help change how you react to memories of your trauma.  Reprocessing means that an individual accesses the relevant memory and uses dual awareness with bilateral stimulation and images, thoughts, emotions and body sensations to move through the traumatic experiences that are not resolved.                                      

Therapists at Counseling ABQ are professionally trained to help you overcome and resolve your symptoms of PTSD.  Call us at 220-8512 to set up an appointment.

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Counseling ABQ        2900 Louisiana Blvd. NE, Ste. 210        Albuquerque NM 87110
505-220-8512 
info@CounselingABQ.com