PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) is a mental health condition that some people develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event.

Many people visit therapists, psychologists and mental health professionals to treat PTSD.  Support groups as well as one-on-one therapy are common options to help you overcome PTSD.

Other common treatment options include Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), EMDR, group therapy sessions, mindfulness, and overall help & support from a trained mental health professional.

Traumatic events that can trigger PTSD may include but are not limited to, physical or sexual assault, military combat, natural disasters, serious accidents, or the sudden death of a loved one.

 

The key characteristic of PTSD is the persistent and intense distressing reactions that occur after the traumatic event has ended.


Symptoms of PTSD can be grouped into four main categories:

 

1. Intrusive memories:
   
   This involves recurrent, distressing memories of the traumatic event, nightmares, flashbacks, or experiencing intense emotional or physical reactions when reminded of the event.
   
   People with PTSD often experience these distressing and unwanted memories related to the traumatic event they have experienced.
   
   These memories can come in the form of: flashbacks, nightmares, distressing memories, and emotional & physical reactions.
   
    

2. Avoidance:
   
   Individuals with PTSD may try to avoid anything that reminds them of the traumatic experience.
   
   This avoidance can include avoiding certain places, people, activities, or discussions related to the event.
   
   Individuals who have experienced a traumatic event often develop a strong desire to avoid anything that could trigger memories or reminders of the traumatic experience.
   
   This avoidance behaviour can manifest in various ways, including: avoiding triggers, avoiding conversations, isolation, emotional numbing, and avoiding reminders.
   
    

3. Negative changes in thinking and mood:
   
   PTSD can lead to changes in beliefs, feelings of guilt, shame, or blame, and a decreased interest in previously enjoyed activities.
   
   People with PTSD may also have difficulty remembering key aspects of the traumatic event.
   
   Negative changes in thinking and mood are common in individuals who have experienced a traumatic event.
   
   These changes can affect various aspects of their emotional and cognitive well-being, including: negative beliefs & thoughts, loss of interest, emotional disturbances, detachment from others, difficulty remembering the trauma, difficulty concentrating, and a negative outlook.
   
    

4. Hyperarousal:
   
   This involves an ongoing state of being on high alert, feeling jumpy, experiencing difficulty concentrating, having trouble sleeping, and being easily startled.
   
   Hyperarousal refers to a heightened state of physiological and psychological arousal, which can be a direct result of the traumatic event.
   
   This state of constant alertness can manifest in various ways, including: hypervigilance, exaggerated starter response, difficulty concentrating, irritability, sleep disturbances, physical tension, and physical symptoms.
   
   
   Coaches do NOT help people overcome or treat PTSD.  If you have been diagnosed with or think you have PTSD, it's best to speak with mental health professionals such as psychologists, psychotherapists, and therapists.
   
   
   
   If you have not been diagnosed with PSTD, but can't seem to get over an emotionally charged event, a coach may be able to help.
   
   Techniques could include Hypnosis & NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming).
   
   For example, a family member got in a car accident. 
   
   Following the accident, they would feel nervous every time they got in the car.
   
   How long do you think it would take to not feel this nervousness anymore? 
   
   Months? 
   
   Years? 
   
   If Ever?
   
   It took us ONE session, and they are now able to drive in their car again.
   
   Our subconscious & unconscious minds make up 90%+ of our behaviour. 
   
   Talking consciously about the event over and over again and for sometimes years will do little to nothing to solve the underlying feelings associated with the event.
   
   The emotion is at a subconsciously level, and NLP techniques can allow you to process the emotion and/or change the emotion of the event so you don't feel it the same way.
   
   You may experience less emotional charge, or not feel the emotional charge anymore.
   
   Hypnosis & NLP doesn't make you forget the event, but it can take the emotional charge away or at least reduce it so you feel better.
   
   ​Call me to book Step 1: Your Phone Consultation to answer all of your questions and to see if we're a good fit to work together.