Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that develops following exposure to a traumatic event. Individuals with PTSD may experience a range of symptoms that persist long after the traumatic incident, affecting their daily lives and overall well-being.

Symptoms of PTSD

PTSD symptoms can be categorized into four main clusters:

Re-experiencing the Trauma

Individuals may experience intrusive memories, flashbacks, or nightmares related to the traumatic event. These distressing thoughts can be recurrent and difficult to control, often causing significant emotional distress.

Avoidance

People with PTSD may actively avoid reminders of the trauma, including places, people, activities, or situations that evoke memories of the traumatic event. Avoidance behaviours can disrupt normal routines and relationships.

Negative Changes in Thoughts and Mood

PTSD can lead to persistent negative beliefs or expectations about oneself or the world, distorted thoughts about the cause or consequences of the trauma, self-blame, or feelings of detachment from others. Mood changes may include persistent feelings of fear, anger, guilt, shame, or emotional numbness.

Arousal and Reactivity

Individuals may experience heightened arousal symptoms such as difficulty sleeping, irritability or anger outbursts, hypervigilance (excessive alertness), exaggerated startle response, and problems with concentration or focus.

CBT, Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and Prolonged Exposure (PE) for PTSD.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) are evidence-based treatments that have shown effectiveness in treating PTSD. These therapies focus on addressing both the cognitive and behavioural aspects of the disorder, helping individuals process traumatic experiences and reduce symptoms.

Imaginal and prolonged exposure is an important component of treatment for PTSD. During therapy sessions, individuals are guided through exercises to confront and process memories of the traumatic event in a safe and controlled environment. By repeatedly revisiting the trauma narrative and expressing associated emotions, individuals can gradually reduce the emotional intensity and distress linked to traumatic memories.

Treatment also targets avoidance behaviours that maintain PTSD symptoms. Therapists work with individuals to gradually confront situations, places, or activities that have been avoided due to their association with the trauma. Through systematic exposure, individuals learn that avoidance perpetuates fear and anxiety while confronting triggers can lead to a decrease in distress over time.

Treatment also involves challenging and modifying unhelpful or distorted beliefs related to the traumatic event. Therapists help individuals identify and re-evaluate negative beliefs about safety, trust, self-worth, and responsibility. By integrating more balanced and adaptive beliefs into their trauma narrative, individuals can experience a shift in perspective and reduction in PTSD symptoms.

Seeking professional help from a qualified mental health provider is essential for developing a personalized treatment plan that meets the specific needs and goals of each individual affected by PTSD. Through effective therapy like CBT and CPT, individuals can learn to manage PTSD symptoms, regain a sense of safety and control, and ultimately, find renewed hope and resilience in living a fulfilling life beyond the trauma.

Signs of PTSD in Children

A child with PTSD might:

Have Bad Dreams or Flashbacks

They might keep seeing or dreaming about the scary event.

Avoid Things That Remind Them of the Scary Event

They might not want to go to places or be around things or people that remind them of what happened.

Feel Bad Inside

They might feel scared, guilty, or ashamed, have trouble remembering things, or think bad things about themselves or the world.

Be on High Alert

They might be easily startled, always seem worried, have trouble paying attention, get angry or upset easily, and have trouble sleeping.

CBT for Children

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) can help children learn to understand and change their thoughts and feelings about the scary event. It helps them deal with their memories and feelings in a positive way. It often involves:

  • Challenging beliefs related to the trauma, and reintegrating more balanced or positive beliefs into the trauma narrative.

  • Reducing avoidance of places and things that are reminders of the trauma

  • Imaginal exposure exercises to confront the memories of the trauma and reintegrate them

The content of this page is for informational purposes only, and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your mental health provider or physician with any questions that you have regarding mental health concerns. If you think you have an emergency, please call 911 or visit your nearest emergency room.