Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Treatment – Cairns and Queensland

Do you think that you, or someone you know, is suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?

PTSD is a group of symptoms which arise after an individual experiences a significant traumatic event. Not everyone who experiences such an event will develop PTSD. It is not a sign of weakness or something to be ashamed of if you do develop symptoms.  PTSD is, at one level a coping strategy, and not so much a ‘disorder’ (a more comprehensive explanation of this construct is provided in the consultation and in the menu option here under “Anxiety”).

PTSD is commonly associated with soldiers returning from war torn areas, however, it is a condition that is suffered by civilians across a wide range of professions and situations, including emergency service workers, police and ambulance workers. It can also affect people who have been involved in accidents or weathered the effects of a natural disaster.

Could you have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder?

PTSD can present itself in a number of ways and sometimes suffers may not recognise the symptoms or realise that something is wrong. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder symptoms typically involve:

Flashbacks of the traumatic event

• Intrusive, upsetting memories of the event
• Flashbacks (acting or feeling like the event is happening again)
• Nightmares (either of the event or of other frightening things)
•  Feelings of intense distress when reminded of the trauma
•   Intense physical reactions to reminders of the event such as a pounding heart, rapid breathing, nausea, muscle tension and sweating

Avoidance and numbing

• Avoiding activities, places, thoughts or feelings that remind you of the trauma
• Inability to remember important aspects of the trauma
• Loss of interest in activities and life in general
• Feeling detached from others and emotionally numb
• Sense of a limited future (you don’t expect to live a normal life span, get married or have a career)

Increased anxiety and emotional arousal

• Difficulty falling or staying asleep
• Irritability or outbursts of anger
• Difficulty concentrating
• Hypervigilance (on constant ‘red alert’)
• Feeling jumpy and easily startled

The effects of PTSD are devastating to both individuals and the people in their lives. Irritability, outbursts of anger, nightmares, emotional withdrawal and social isolation are all PTSD symptoms that can have destructive consequences on individuals and their families if assistance is not sought.

If you are concerned that you may have PTSD, call me, Crispian Jones, (Counsellor) at Seachange Psychology today for more information and advice on treatment options.  Treatment for PTSD is now available only online.

Help is only a phone call away

Seachange Psychology is a Cairns based practice that employs the latest treatment strategies to treat PTSD effectively.   I have been involved in this work since 1985, supporting people dealing with life changing events.  My specialist skills and knowledge enable me to implement the techniques that have been shown to have significant success in treating PTSD.  I am now reaching out to a wider audience through the online platform.

For more information call Cris today, for a confidential conversation. Email crispian@seachangepsychology.com.au

Phone via WhatsApp on +81 8051206364