Understanding PTSD: National PTSD Awareness Month
What is PTSD?
National PTSD Awareness Day, every June 27th, brings attention to a mental health condition affecting millions of Australians. Trauma can strike in many forms, including accidents, assaults, natural disasters, war, childhood trauma, and even birth trauma. Regardless of the event, there are three common elements:
It was unexpected
The person felt unprepared
There was little to nothing they could do to stop it.
Why Does Trauma Sometimes Turn into PTSD?
Experiencing a traumatic event doesn't guarantee PTSD. The reasons are complex, but here are some factors that can influence its development:
Severity and Nature of the Trauma: More intense or prolonged traumas are more likely to lead to PTSD.
Individual Vulnerability: Genetics, mental health history, and social support can affect how someone copes with trauma.
Coping Mechanisms: Adaptive coping mechanisms like talking to a trusted friend or seeking professional help can aid processing trauma. Conversely, coping mechanisms such as drug and alcohol use can impact compound trauma symptoms.
Living with PTSD: Recognizing the Signs
PTSD can manifest in a range of debilitating symptoms, including:
Vivid Flashbacks: Reliving the trauma with intense emotions and physical sensations.
Intrusive Thoughts and Images: Unwanted memories and disturbing visuals that persistently pop up.
Nightmares: Sleep can become a battleground filled with reliving the traumatic event.
Emotional Triggers: Reminders of the trauma, even subtle ones, spark intense distress.
Physical Reactions: Sweating, nausea, trembling, and other physical symptoms can erupt in response to triggers.
Avoidance: Places, people, or situations associated with the trauma are actively avoided, limiting daily life.
Hypervigilance: Feeling constantly on guard, easily startled, and hyper-aware of surroundings.
Negative Thoughts and Mood: Difficulty concentrating, negative self-talk, and feelings of guilt or shame can become pervasive.
Emotional Numbness: Detachment from emotions and difficulty connecting with others can be experienced.
Hope Beyond the Trauma: Effective Treatment Options
The good news is that PTSD is treatable. EMDR therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a powerful approach that works directly on the emotional response to the memory. This can be particularly beneficial for people who don't want to recount and discuss their trauma story in detail.
Seeking Help from a Trauma Specialist
If you suspect you or someone you know might be struggling with PTSD, consider reaching out to a mental health professional specializing in trauma. Angela Chadwick Psychology is a private practice dedicated to helping individuals heal from trauma. We exclusively focus on offering EMDR therapy, a proven and effective treatment for PTSD.
We understand starting therapy can be a big step. Here is some information to help you decide if our services are a good fit:
We specialize in trauma treatment. Our experience allows us to provide targeted support tailored to your needs. We work best with individuals who are motivated to engage in the therapy process and are willing and able to commit to regular sessions to experience the benefits that psychological therapy can bring.
We accept mental health treatment plans from GPs. This can help make therapy more affordable. People can also self refer as a private paying client.
Our focus is on healing, not reliving the trauma. EMDR therapy allows you to address the emotional response to the memory without needing to go into extensive detail about the event itself.
Please note that Angela Chadwick Psychology does not work within the Victim Services or Workers Compensation Schemes.