Do you get flashbacks of the most hurtful situation(s) of your life? Do you have a constricted, about to faint, wanting-to-run feeling when it happens? Are you tired of it… but it won’t leave you? Most probably, you have PTSD. Although it is not necessary, you can develop it after facing a trauma… and not getting professional help to resolve it.
This blog post tells you: what PTSD is, its causes and symptoms, and effective treatment methods.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop if you faced, or saw, a trauma. It may be: physical or sexual assault, natural disasters, war/fight, or serious accidents. You may develop it immediately after the event, or it may take months or even years sometimes.
Trauma has long-lasting psychological, mental and physical effects on you. You may develop negative emotions and symptoms, i.e. anxiety, depression, anger, numbness, headaches, and/or insomnia.
You may be triggered by certain sounds, smells, or scenes/pictures/settings that remind you of that trauma(s). You may become distrustful because you don’t feel safe anymore.
You can have other reactions, too, i.e. self-blame, guilt, shame, and low self-worth. As a result, you may not be able to get on with your daily life as you should.
Childhood trauma is unfortunately quite common. You may have been mistreated more than a limit when you were young. It can increase your chances of developing PTSD in adulthood by a lot. You might not be able to make friends and relationships easily.. or at all. Basically, childhood trauma disrupts normal brain development.
Flashbacks of the trauma
You avoid people, places, or activities that trigger you
You relive the trauma through nightmares
You sleep with difficulty, but wake up at the slightest sound
You are always distracted and angry
Hypnotherapy for PTSD
Hypnotherapy has been shown to be an effective treatment for PTSD symptoms in several studies. For example, a randomised controlled trial published in the American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis found that hypnotherapy was effective in reducing PTSD symptoms in military veterans.
Another study published in the Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease found that hypnotherapy was effective in reducing PTSD symptoms in survivors of sexual abuse.
Hypnotherapy can be effective in treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) by helping individuals release the emotional reactions that have become trapped in their nervous system due to a traumatic event.
Unlike talk therapy, hypnotherapy does not require individuals to talk about the trauma in detail. Instead, the therapist will work with the patient to identify and release emotions associated with the traumatic stress.
Hypnotherapy helps individuals to bypass the logical, conscious mind and directly manage emotional and sensory experiences of the traumatic event. It can help individuals to process the trauma in a safe and controlled way, without becoming overwhelmed by their emotions.
During hypnotherapy, the individual is in a relaxed state where they can access their subconscious mind to work. The therapist will help the individual reprocess the traumatic event in a more empowering and positive manner.
By accessing the subconscious mind, hypnotherapy can help individuals identify and remove subconscious blocks that may be preventing them from healing. This allows them to reframe the traumatic event and create a new, more positive emotional experience.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for PTSD
In addition to Hypnotherapy, Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy that can be effective in treating PTSD symptoms. CBT focuses on identifying and changing negative thoughts and behaviours related to the traumatic event.
Havening for PTSD
Another holistic effective treatment for PTSD is Havening. Havening is a psycho-sensory technique that has been found to be effective in the treatment of PTSD. It involves the use of touch and the application of positive affirmations to help someone with PTSD recover from the reactions to trauma.
PTSD can be a debilitating condition that can cause severe emotional and physical reactions to trauma. The symptoms can include anxiety, depression, flashbacks, and nightmares, among others.
Havening works by helping the individual to rewire the neural pathways associated with the traumatic event, thereby reducing the emotional and physical reactions.
One of the main benefits of Havening for PTSD is that it is a non-invasive and drug-free therapy. It does not require the individual to talk about the traumatic event, which can be a triggering experience for someone with PTSD.
Instead, Havening focuses on the present moment, and the use of positive affirmations and touch can help to regulate the nervous system and reduce anxiety.
Havening has also been found to be effective in reducing the symptoms of PTSD in a relatively short amount of time. Unlike traditional talk therapies, Havening can produce results in just a few sessions. This can be particularly important for someone with PTSD who may be struggling with daily life due to their symptoms.
PTSD can cripple your health, relationships, and workplace sanity. It can happen any time after you face a trauma… although it is not necessary. However, hypnotherapy, havening, and CBT can help you recognise and resolve your negative thoughts into positive behaviours. We have a wholesome therapy programme at MIHH to help you.
If you like to learn more about it, book a FREE Strategy Call today.
Healing from trauma is a deeply personal and individual journey that requires self-care. One effective approach is seeking professional help from a therapist who can provide guidance, support, and evidence-based techniques such as Hypnotherapy, Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and Havening.
Building a support system of trusted friends and family who can offer emotional support and understanding can also be valuable. Engaging in self-care practices, such as exercise, mindfulness, and healthy coping mechanisms, can help manage the symptoms of trauma and promote healing.
The symptoms of a traumatized person can vary widely depending on the individual and the nature of the trauma they have experienced.
Some common symptoms may include recurring distressing memories or flashbacks of the traumatic event, avoidance of triggers associated with the trauma, heightened anxiety or fear, difficulty sleeping or nightmares, irritability or mood swings, feeling emotionally numb or disconnected, loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities, changes in appetite or energy levels, difficulty concentrating or making decisions, and physical symptoms such as headaches or stomachaches.
Additionally, a traumatized person may experience changes in their behavior, such as withdrawing from social activities, isolating themselves, or engaging in risky behaviors.
The duration of trauma can vary from person to person, and it depends on various factors such as the nature of the traumatic event, the individual’s resilience, and the effectiveness of the treatment. Trauma can last for a few weeks, months, or even years if left untreated.
However, research has shown that with the right treatment, the brain can be rewired to calm the nervous system and reduce the impact of trauma. Therapies aim to help individuals process their traumatic experiences in a safe and supportive environment, thereby reducing the distressing symptoms of trauma. The process of rewiring the brain involves creating new neural pathways and associations that promote healing and resilience.
Master Your Mind, Master Your Life
Our Hypnotherapists are dedicated to help people to harness the power of the mind and
feelings, so that we can reach our true potential and be the best version of ourselves.
Benson House, Suite 1/2 Benson St Toowong, QLD 4066
2023 Make It Happen Hypnotherapy, Registered in Queensland, Australia
Registered Address: Suite 1, 2 Benson Street, Benson House, Toowong, Brisbane, QLD, 4066 Australia
Our Clinical Hypnotherapists will guide you into a state of trance similar to daydreaming. By working with your subconscious mind, we will find out the underlying causes of your emotional suffering, and establish desired outcomes for you. To achieve this, we will use various techniques like Inner Child Therapy, Regression, Parts Therapy, Gestalt Therapy, Rewind Technique, and more.
