PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) Part III

So you have PTSD, now what...and can anything help?

There are numerous treatments being used for PTSD at this time quite successfully.  I will discuss a few here.  But let me say this, there are also many ways that you can take care of yourself.  There are many paths to healing, not all are the same for everyone.  The methods described here are therapeutic techniques utilized by either Psychologists (PhD), Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC), Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW) or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT).  (For a discussion of other treatments see PTSD Part II) 


CPT (Cognitive Processing Therapy) is a structured technique that combines ideas from CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), and Exposure Therapy to create a program specific for PTSD.  By teaching participants to use CBT principles therapists are then able to have them write and talk about their experiences in a safe environment.  The therapist continues to guide the client into further inquiry into their thoughts and beliefs with the idea that the client will be able to begin to construct new healthier ways of thinking about themselves, others, and the world around them.
Here is a link to provide you with more information about CPT.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)  is another very successful treatment modality for PTSD, though different from the others discussed here.  I would put it in a similar category to Biofeedback.  It involves using a simple eye movement technique that affects or accesses different areas in the brain and enables processing of information / trauma in sometimes a very rapid way.  Unlike other treatments which ask clients to re-experience events and emotions from the past, EMDR helps the client process on a different level.
Here is a link to the EMDR Institute for more information, EMDR Institute.

CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) is a well known treatment that encompasses a lot of ideas.  On a basic level CBT's theory is that our thoughts create feelings which effect our behaviors.  Many of these thoughts are automatic and go unquestioned.  More often then not a single thought is followed by other supporting thoughts.  The techniques used in CBT teach us to approach one thought at a time and question its truth.  Through the process of questioning our thoughts we hold as truth we open ourselves to new possibilities
and new ways of thinking.
Here is a link from another good source on mental health...CBT

I do want to say a word about Rogerian or Supportive Therapy as well.  The premise is this, the Counselor simply endeavors to understand the client and how the client sees the world.  The Counselor does not try to interpret, direct or teach the client, rather they simply provide a warm and supportive atmosphere in which the client can do some self-exploration.  It may seem logical that this would be helpful to many, but as we all we sometimes like to complicate things. 

The last subject I want to touch on here is that of pharmacology, or medicine.  Medicines can sometimes play a role in recovering from PTSD, either in conjunction with other therapies or by themselves, depending on the needs of the client.  Two FDA approved medications for PTSD are Zoloft and Paxil, though there are other medications used successfully in the treatment of PTSD; Prozac, Celexa, Klonopin, Buspar, Trazedone, etc.

All these therapies have in common the idea that to heal we have to face our demons.  Mind you they do it in different ways, some more gently than others.  Avoiding, which we all learn to do so well, just embeds the pain, and causes more dysfunction on a behavioral and mental level.  When we do this we start to associate non threatening circumstances as a threat, and think of ways to not feel, to not remember the pain, fear, and anger inside, which in turn then begins to control our lives.

The good thing is the hurt is over, the bad thing is, you still carry it inside...not what are you going to do about it?

Since as of this writing I am in Denton, TX., I would like to provide a few links to organizations in the are that can be beneficial...

Friends of the Family
Denton County MHMR
Mental Health of America
Operation Healthy Reunions
US Dept of Veterans Affairs
Veterans services of Denton County
UNT Counseling and Testing Department

PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), Part I

There's been a lot of talk about PTSD recently because of so many Veterans returning from war.  

PTSD has been around for a long time, however, the label for this disorder and it's symptoms has changed names over the years.  The symptoms of PTSD are normal after a traumatic event. It only becomes diagnosable once the normal recovery process becomes stalled.  By stalled I mean the individual is not able to process the event or events into their views of themselves, others and the world around them.

Many people suffering with PTSD also have other related conditions.  These include Major Depressive Disorder, Anxiety and/or Panic Disorder, Personality Disorder, and Substance Abuse to name a few.  These can either precipitate the condition or develop because of it.  Often by treating PTSD many of the related conditions either improve or become resolved.

Symptoms of PTSD follow exposure to a traumatic event or series of traumatic events.  These symptoms fall into three catagories, emotional, behavioral, and cognitive.  Many individuals suffering with PTSD tend to avoid (behavioral) certain situations, people, and places that bring up feelings (emotional) or memories that are uncomfortable.  By using avoidance they try to protect themselves from re-experiencing these uncomfortable sensations.  Meanwhile the cognitive aspect also continues to keep people with PTSD stuck by creating thoughts that continue to manufacture emotions like those experienced through PTSD and others, such as guilt, shame, and blame.  Finally emotional symptoms can also include anxiety, hyperarousal, insomnia, hypervigilance, irritablity, moodswings, and difficulty concentrating, among others.