Understanding PTSD

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) profoundly impacts individuals who have experienced trauma. As Gabor Maté explains, "Trauma is not what happens to you but what happens inside you as a result of what happens to you." PTSD manifests through symptoms that affect emotional, physical, and social wellbeing, making it crucial to understand and support those affected.The aftermath extends  beyond the initial experience, leading to persistent symptoms. PTSD generally applies to one-off events, whereas chronic and repeated trauma falls under Complex PTSD (C-PTSD).

As Bessel van der Kolk, author of The Body Keeps The Score, states, "[Trauma] is the imprint left by that experience on mind, brain, and body. This imprint has ongoing consequences for how the human organism manages to survive in the present." The emotional and physical impacts affect daily life, making it difficult to maintain relationships or perform at work. 

Fortunately, effective treatments exist beyond medication. Acknowledging trauma with kindness and self-acceptance is the first step toward healing. As Lundy Bancroft states, "there is no shame in asking for help to heal. It is courageous to reach out and seek the support you need." Bessel van der Kolk highlights "top-down" and "bottom-up" approaches to trauma recovery, acknowledging that healing varies for each person.

Top-Down Interventions (processing trauma cognitively):

• Education – Understanding how trauma impacts the brain and body
• Mindfulness – Cultivating self-awareness and non-judgment
• Gratitude Journal – Fostering resilience through positive reflection
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) – Restructuring unhelpful beliefs and behaviours
• Hypnotherapy – Using relaxation techniques to alleviate symptoms
• Parts Work – Understanding how trauma affects different aspects of the self
• Talk Therapy – Processing emotions and shifting perspectives

Bottom-Up Interventions (processing trauma through the body):

• EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) – Processing stuck traumatic memories
• Trauma Release Exercises – Releasing tension and reconnecting with the body
• Somatic Movement – Body scans and breathwork to release stored trauma
• Yoga – Calming the nervous system and reducing physiological stress

Self-care practices, including relaxation, exercise and healthy lifestyle choices, are essential for overall wellbeing. Additionally, emotional support from family and friends can be invaluable. As Dana Arcuri highlights, feeling heard and understood helps survivors express themselves without fear of judgment so that it is possible to heal from trauma and reclaim your life and happiness.