Jeanne Latiolais, PsyD
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
PTSD
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) refers to a collection of symptoms that can occur as a result of living through a horrifying, fearful situation, including situations that involve a threat to one’s life or physical integrity. PTSD can also occur as a result of witnessing a death or significant threat to the life or physical integrity of another person. Among individuals who have been exposed to such situations, thirty to fifty percent are estimated to develop PTSD.
Symptoms of PTSD can include feeling as though one is re-experiencing the traumatic event. This may take the form of recurrent memories, nightmares, or physical reactions to events, situations or people that remind one of the trauma. A person with PTSD may try to avoid thoughts, feelings, or conversations associated with the trauma, and may even have difficulty recalling an important aspect of the trauma. Some feel detached from other people and having close relationships becomes difficult for them.
Trauma experiences can result in a person feeling constantly on edge, and being easily startled. Sleep problems, irritability, concentration problems and anger can occur.
There are additional, associated symptoms that often, but not necessarily, accompany PTSD. Survivor guilt describes painful feelings about surviving a trauma that others did not survive, or experiencing guilt about what one had to do to survive. Avoidant behavior can interfere with interpersonal relationships and cause job loss, marital conflict or divorce. Some people with PTSD feel constantly threatened, and may experience auditory hallucinations or even paranoid feelings. Lastly, dissociation can occur, whereby one experiences disconnections in memory, consciousness, perception, or even in identity. In a dissociative episode, a person unintentionally “tunes out,” loses track of time, or becomes unresponsive to what is going on around them.
PTSD is treatable, and individuals with this disorder can and do recover. Treatment takes time, as it requires recalling the trauma and reprocessing the associated thoughts and feelings. A major difficulty in treatment of PTSD is that often patients drop out of sessions because they are afraid and uncomfortable about recalling difficult memories. Therapists and patients should maintain open communication about these feelings and follow the pace at which patients are comfortably able to progress. Since the traumatic incidents most PTSD survivors have suffered included a loss of power or control, it is important that therapy not recreate that feeling. The patient must be in the driver’s seat.
Therapy often uncovers irrational ideas or automatic thoughts that have developed as a result of the trauma. A trained professional can help identify these beliefs, which can then be examined, rethought, and replaced with rational, healthy thoughts. Healing begins with being patient and nurturing with oneself. With help, a person can begin recognizing the effects of trauma and start taking steps to regain power and control in his or her life.
Trauma experiences can result in a person feeling constantly on edge, and being easily startled. Sleep problems, irritability, concentration problems and anger can occur.
There are additional, associated symptoms that often, but not necessarily, accompany PTSD. Survivor guilt describes painful feelings about surviving a trauma that others did not survive, or experiencing guilt about what one had to do to survive. Avoidant behavior can interfere with interpersonal relationships and cause job loss, marital conflict or divorce. Some people with PTSD feel constantly threatened, and may experience auditory hallucinations or even paranoid feelings. Lastly, dissociation can occur, whereby one experiences disconnections in memory, consciousness, perception, or even in identity. In a dissociative episode, a person unintentionally “tunes out,” loses track of time, or becomes unresponsive to what is going on around them.
PTSD is treatable, and individuals with this disorder can and do recover. Treatment takes time, as it requires recalling the trauma and reprocessing the associated thoughts and feelings. A major difficulty in treatment of PTSD is that often patients drop out of sessions because they are afraid and uncomfortable about recalling difficult memories. Therapists and patients should maintain open communication about these feelings and follow the pace at which patients are comfortably able to progress. Since the traumatic incidents most PTSD survivors have suffered included a loss of power or control, it is important that therapy not recreate that feeling. The patient must be in the driver’s seat.
Therapy often uncovers irrational ideas or automatic thoughts that have developed as a result of the trauma. A trained professional can help identify these beliefs, which can then be examined, rethought, and replaced with rational, healthy thoughts. Healing begins with being patient and nurturing with oneself. With help, a person can begin recognizing the effects of trauma and start taking steps to regain power and control in his or her life.