What Is PTSD?

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), is defined by its profound impact on individuals who have experienced trauma. PTSD manifests through a constellation of symptoms that can affect every aspect of a person's life – emotionally, physically, and socially. Understanding these symptoms, their effects, and the available treatment options is crucial in providing compassionate support to those grappling with PTSD.

PTSD occurs when a person does not have the emotional and/or physical ability to process a distressing event at the time it happens. However, the aftermath of trauma extends far beyond the initial event, often leaving individuals with a complex array of symptoms that can persist long after the trauma has occurred. PTSD generally applies to one-off events, where as more chronic and complex events are known as C-PTSD.  Click here here to read my article on C-PTSD.

As Peter Levine says “The effects of unresolved trauma can be devastating. It can affect our habits and outlook on life, leading to addictions and poor decision-making. It can take a toll on our family life and interpersonal relationships. It can trigger real physical pain, symptoms, and disease…and lead to a range of self-destructive behaviours.”

Emotionally, PTSD can manifest through a range of symptoms including intrusive memories, flashbacks, nightmares and intense emotional distress when reminded of the traumatic event. These symptoms can lead to feelings of anxiety, fear, sadness, guilt, shame and anger making it challenging for individuals to regulate their emotions and maintain a sense of emotional wellbeing.

In addition, PTSD can physically take a toll on the body, manifesting in symptoms such as insomnia, fatigue, muscle tension, headaches, gastrointestinal issues and an increased susceptibility to illness. The constant state of hyper-vigilance and arousal associated with PTSD can put a strain on the body's stress response system, leading to chronic health problems and exacerbating existing medical conditions.

As Bessel van der Kolk, author of The Body Keeps The Score: Brain, Mind and Body in the Healing of Trauma says, “[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… It changes not only how we think and what we think about, but also our very capacity to think.”
 

The amalgamation of the emotional and physical impact can have a debilitating effect on individuals, impacting their ability to navigate their social and work life. A person with PTSD may not be able to function and behave in the same ways they could before the event which caused them PTSD. Individuals with PTSD may withdraw from social interactions, experience difficulties in forming and maintaining relationships, and struggle to concentrate or perform at work or school. 

Sadly, the stigma surrounding mental health can further exacerbate these challenges, making it difficult for individuals to seek help or disclose their struggles to others.

Fortunately, there are several treatment options available to help individuals manage and overcome PTSD, which do not involve the use of medications. Sadly, we live in a society where we are instantly prescribed anti-depressants or turn to other substances or behaviours to numb or blunt the sensations (which do nothing to resolve the trauma), instead of teaching people skills to address such distressing, yet natural reactions. 

As part of recovery, we must first acknowledge the impact of the trauma from a place of kindness, self-acceptance and compassion. We must be patient too, as for some individuals, the trauma has had a more profound impact than thought. The only way to heal from the effects of PTSD is to acknowledge and embrace the trauma; the only road to recovery is through it. 

As Lundy Bancroft, author of Healing Trauma through Self-Parenting, teaches “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 talks about trauma-focused therapies which involve a “top-down” and “bottom-up” approach can significantly reduce the effects of PTSD and help an individual to overcome PTSD altogether. This is an effective way of being able to categorise the various approaches to trauma and healing and see what works. Its important to remember that healing does not have a “one-size-fits-all” cure – what works for one person, may not for another. 

Top-Down Interventions are when the trauma is processed cognitively i.e. from the mind (top) down. This can include approaches such as: 

1. Education – informing a person how and why the trauma may have impacted them and about approaches that may work for them 
2. Mindfulness – cultivating self-awareness, empathy and being non-judgmental helps to heal trauma
3. Gratitude Journal – being grateful in the face of adversity can help build resilience now and in the future 
4. CBT –  working through our own personal beliefs and how this affects us, as well as developing more effective beliefs and the ability to resource behaviours (such as exercise, and relaxation strategies)
5. Hypnotherapy  – hypnosis and relaxation are effective ways to help alleviate PTSD symptoms      
6. Parts work – working with the different parts of us and how they have been affected      
7. Talk therapy - talking about the trauma can help shift a person’s narrative and support them to work through the trauma being feeling and be-friending emotions. 

In her book, A Practical Guide to Complex PTSD, Arielle Schwartz notes “the burden of unexpressed emotions can leave you feeling heavy and weighted down, as if you have been carrying a heavy backpack for many years… feel your emotions and empty the backpack.”

Bottom-Up Interventions is when the trauma is processed from the body, or somatically, i.e. from the body (bottom) up. This can include: 

1. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) helps process images, emotions, beliefs and body sensations associated with traumatic memories that seem to be stuck

2. Trauma Release Exercises can be great way to re-connect with the body and feel safe, whilst releasing trauma tension 

3. Somatic movement – such body scans & breathing exercises can also help in locating where trauma may be held and releasing it 

4. Yoga – helps to reduce physiological arousal and support the nervous system to feel more balanced and calmer 

Self-care practices such as relaxation techniques, regular exercise and good lifestyle habits can play an important role in managing symptoms and promoting overall wellbeing. 

Lastly, the importance of having a good support group – such as family members or close friends can provide invaluable support and validation to individuals navigating the challenges of PTSD.  Dana Arcuri writes about the importance of emotional support and this being key in survivors being heard, understood and able to express themselves without fearing criticism or harsh judgement. Moreover, simply being there for someone at the end of a long day or when they feel triggered can have a wonderful effect in making an individual feel safe and loved. 

In conclusion, PTSD is a multifaceted condition that can have profound emotional, physical, and social effects on individuals who have experienced trauma. By understanding the symptoms, effects, and available treatment options, we can provide compassionate support to those grappling with PTSD and change the current culture to a better one of empathy, understanding, and acceptance. I very much agree with Peter Levine’s view that “Trauma is a fact of life. It does not, however, have to be a life sentence”.