PTSD
What is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a type of anxiety disorder.
Most people with PTSD develop the condition after experiencing a traumatic event, like a serious accident, physical or sexual assault, war or torture, or a natural disaster such as a bush fire or a flood.
People who have a past history of mental illness or trauma, as well as stressful life conditions and a lack of support are more likely to develop PTSD.
People affected may feel anxious and highly vigilant, and have intrusive thoughts and memories of the trauma. With treatment, people with PTSD can make a full recovery.
The facts are...
PTSD is a mental health condition that may occur after one or multiple traumatic events.
PTSD can happen after there's been actual or threatened serious injury, death or sexual violence to ourselves or others.
People who have experienced repeated, deliberate harm such as sexual or physical abuse are more likely to develop PTSD than people who experienced unintentional trauma such as a car accident.
PTSD can also occur after repeated and extreme exposure to the details of traumatic events. For example, emergency workers.
Breaking the myths...
Not everyone with PTSD has experienced direct trauma. Some people develop PTSD after a family or friend experiences trauma. The death of a loved one can also lead to PTSD.
PTSD can take years to develop. Childhood trauma may still affect adults, many years after the traumatic event happened. People with PTSD need professional support and care.
PTSD can affect anybody who has been through a traumatic event.
People with PTSD cannot ‘snap out of it’ without treatment as it is an illness, not weakness.
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
It’s important to remember everyone experiences trauma differently. An event which is traumatising for one person may not be for another person.
Everyone has a different capacity for trauma, which is informed by a combination of risk factors including neurobiology, past experiences and genetics. It is possible to recover from PTSD.
Signs & Symptoms of PTSD
Feeling strong reactions such as fear, anger or sadness are natural after a traumatic event. For most people, these feelings will pass with time and support from friends and family. For people who develop PTSD, these feelings are intensely distressing and if left untreated, can last for a long time.
The symptoms of PTSD may interfere with the person’s ability to carry on their everyday life, work and relationships. PTSD is identified by four main groups of symptoms:
Flashbacks of the traumatic event through intrusive memories or nightmares. As well as strong emotions, there may be physical symptoms such as sweating, heart palpitations or panic attacks.
Feeling emotionally numb. Some people experience ‘dissociation’ – a feeling of watching from a distance as events unfold.
Feeling anxious and ‘jumpy’ for no reason.Heightened vigilance can mean the affected person is constantly on the lookout for danger, possibly leading to irritability and a lack of concentration.
Avoiding reminders of the event– The person deliberately avoids activities, places, people, thoughts or feelings associated with the event because they bring back painful memories.
If a person has been through a traumatic event and has experienced a combination of the above symptoms for a month or more, then they may be experiencing PTSD.
People with PTSD are at a higher risk of developing other anxiety disorders, substance abuse issues, and mood disorders such as depression or bipolar disorder.
PTSD has four groups of symptoms
1. Re-experiencing the trauma, including:
distressing, painful and ‘intrusive’ thoughts and memories
nightmares
flashbacks of the trauma
severe reactions to things that remind us of the traumatic event
reliving the event which then leads to a racing heartbeat, difficulty breathing
2. Avoiding reminders of the event, including:
people
places
objects
conversations
activities
3. Negative changes in thoughts and mood after the trauma, including:
not being able to remember part of the traumatic event
heightened sense of danger
blaming yourself or others for the event or its aftermath
feeling very down or numb
feeling strong guilt, horror or anger
being unable to enjoy things you used to find pleasurable
feeling detached or ‘cut off’ from people
4. Feeling ‘on edge’ and overly aroused, including:
irritability
violent /angry outbursts
reckless behaviour
getting startled easily, feeling ‘jumpy’
overly alert to danger (hyper-vigilance)
finding it hard to sleep
finding it hard to concentrate
PTSD in children and teens
Young people can have extreme reactions to trauma, but their symptoms may not be the same as adults. In very young children, these symptoms can include:
Wetting the bed after having learned to use the toilet
Forgetting how to or being unable to talk
Acting out the scary event during playtime
Being unusually clingy with a parent or other adult
Older children and teens are more likely to show symptoms similar to those seen in adults. They may also start ‘acting out’ and develop disruptive and destructive behaviours. It’s important for parents and carers to seek help early if they think a young person is developing PTSD.
The endless cycle of pain and coping
When you’ve experienced a traumatic event or series of events, psychological symptoms can develop that mainly centre around an intrusion of the past event into the present. Using self-protective methods that were helpful at the time of the event are the tendency to fall back on to cope with the effects of the trauma. However, this is only a short lived strategy, leaving you repeating the cycle of stress, anxiety and coping again and again. This ongoing pattern is not only exhausting, it also worsens the stress each time, leading to a possible feeling of 'breaking down' and unable to cope any longer.
Trauma blocks in mind, body, spirit
Essentially, trauma creates blocked areas in your energy body. This prevents the flow of healthy, vital energy which gives us a sense of inner peace, health and vitality. Not only clearing the blocks held within the mind and physical body (such as pain from injury or physical abuse), you must also clear the blocks backing up the flow in your energy body. The energy body is a real thing... it's now been acknowledged in the scientific world and can be seen using an MRI scan. Trapped energy, blocks, etc, is another important aspect of recovery which must be addressed in order to fully heal and recover from PTSD.
The pathway to lasting recovery
Creating a safe space is vital to a successful recovery process.
A qualified therapist experienced in working with this type of recovery is also necessary.
In addition, an energy healing practitioner who will identify and work with you to clear the trauma from your energy body.
You've come to the right place!
This is why I've trained and qualified in these modalities, so I can bring you the recovery, peace and freedom you so deserve.
YOUR FREEDOM & RECOVERY OPTIONS
Let's do this...
While you're welcome to book individual holistic counselling sessions, for most people, a recovery plan is the best way to approach healing.
Your three Specialist recovery options:
1. Individual bookings:
Booked as and when you feel the need for support and healing
Held 1:1 online or in person (Perth, Western Australia)
Work at the pace you choose
Flexibility in days and times available for bookings
2. Discounted Counselling Package:
Buy 5 get one FREE
6 weekly 1.5 hour counselling and healing sessions
Held 1:1 online or in person (Perth, Western Australia)
Work at a pace which maximises on the the progress made each week
Flexibility in session bookings available for bookings more info
3. Recovery Program:
Eight module healing and recovery program
Held online or in-person fortnightly
Includes specific trauma or inner child healing
Specifically developed program modules to address each and every step required across the healing and recovery process
The deepest level of healing possible, addressing patterns, experiences and lessons at a soul level
Your next step...
Now you've read through your Specialist Recovery options, simply select which approach you feel best suits your needs and be comforted in the knowledge you're taking that all important, courageous step forward to help yourself recover, to move out of fear and into peace.
Choose your option below and book either
a counselling or energy healing session
or a free discovery call with me!
Congratulations on taking this brave step, you'll be so glad you did!
Indigo-Grace
Testimonial
From the very first 1:1, I knew I'd made the right decision
"What I've received from the course so far has been incredible. It has been so parallel to my path outside of this journey, helping me look at the deeper layers of trauma patterning that has been running my life (or so it felt) for so long.
From the very first 1:1, I knew I'd made the right decision for myself. Indigo's insight pointed towards things I hadn't known were hanging around me so heavily, and helped me work through them and release it from my body.
I highly recommend anyone, particularly those who have struggled or are struggling with past trauma running their lives, to join this program. It has accelerated my healing in unexpected ways and I am truly grateful."
Ashleigh Morris, Australia
