Post Trauma Therapy
Trauma can have a lasting impact. The experience of a traumatic incident such as
a rape, domestic violence, physical or sexual abuse can cause produce prolonged
suffering in many individuals that can last a lifetime. Witnessing the injury or
death of another individual also has disastrous effects. The severity, duration,
proximity to (direct or witnessed), and type of traumatic event are the most significant
risk factors for developing PTSD.
Causes
Directly experienced traumatic events e.g.:
- Combat
- Kidnapping
- Natural disasters (e.g., fire, flooding)
- Catastrophic accident (e.g., car, industrial)
- Sexual assault
- Physical assault
Witnessed traumatic events e.g.:
- Seeing another person violently killed or injured
- Unexpectedly seeing a dead body or body parts
Whether or not the event was perpetrated in a sadistic manner (e.g., torture, rape)
occurred accidentally (e.g., fire), can affect whether a person develops PTSD and
whether the disorder is acute, chronic, or has a delayed onset of symptoms.
Symptoms of PTSD
- Intrusive Thoughts
- Bad Dreams & Nightmares
- Reliving The Trauma
- Flashbacks
- Panic Attacks
- Withdrawn
- Phobias
- Memory Loss
- Lack of Motivation
- Difficulty imagining a future
- Alienation
- Lacking Emotions
- Poor Sleep
- Rage
- Poor Concentration
- Ever Watchful
- Edgy
- Lack of Confidence
- Work Difficulties
Strategies of psychotherapy and medication are important for reducing these debilitating
symptoms. Without treatment individuals with PTSD can suffer profoundly. Complications
develop in people with chronic PTSD and delayed onset PTSD. These include the following:
- Alcohol and drug abuse or dependence
- Chronic anxiety
- Depression and increased risk for suicide
- Divorce and separation
- Guilt
- Low self-esteem
- Panic attacks
- Phobias
- Unemployment
Treatment
CPT offers two forms of counselling for those at risk or who are suffering from
PTSD.
The Critical Incident Stress De-briefing
Debriefing sessions are usually conducted as soon after the event as possible. The
session usually lasts about 2 hours. A debriefing session typically involves a discussion
of the event, the person's reaction to it, and coping strategies. Debriefing sessions
are commonly used to help rescue personnel, classmates of students who die in car
accidents or as a result of a violent attack (e.g., victims of random violence,
mugging etc), and survivors of terrorist attacks.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is generally necessary in the treatment of PTSD. The goal of psychotherapy
in the treatment of PTSD is to help the person address and manage painful memories
until they no longer cause disabling symptoms. This begins after establishing a
safe relationship between the client and therapist. The process involves gradually
working through the traumatic event and the patient's reactions to it, validating
the patient's experiences, repairing damage done to their identity, and dealing
with loss.
