Counselling For PTSD in Southampton

 
 
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WHAT IS PTSD?

PTSD stands for Post-traumatic stress disorder. It is an anxiety disorder that occurs in 1 in 3 people who have experienced a traumatic event. A traumatic event can be anything that makes us feel intense fear and distress, common incidents include road traffic accidents, childbirth, serious illness, sexual assault, war or natural disasters, the threat of death to yourself or a loved one, domestic abuse and childhood trauma.

Complex PTSD is a more complicated version of the disorder which can be triggered by traumatic situations that occurred over a long period of time, a trauma that occurred in early life, a trauma that was created by a caregiver, or if the sufferer is still in contact with the person who inflicted the trauma, amongst other reasons.  

Because the disorder is triggered by external events, PTSD is different from other anxiety disorders. Not all people who experience trauma will have PTSD as the development of PTSD is often also prompted by lack of support network and our response and appraisal of the trauma.  

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WHAT DOES PTSD FEEL LIKE?

Symptoms of PTSD can include:

  • Intrusive thoughts 

  • Flashbacks of the trauma

  • Nightmares of the trauma

  • Insomnia

  • Irritability

  • Severe anxiety

  • Poor concentration

  • Panic attacks 

  • Periods of aggression

  • Emotional numbness or hyper-arousal

  • Avoidance

  • Repression

  • Detachment

  • Anxiety

  • Increased use of alcohol or drugs to cope

Sufferers of complex PTSD may experience the above in addition to:

  • Feelings of guilt or shame

  • Difficulties with relationships 

  • Being unable to trust

  • Destructive behaviours such as risk-taking

  • Alcohol or drug misuse

  • Self-harm

  • Suicidal thoughts

  • Dissociation

  • Emotional difficulties that make it hard to cope with daily life

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CAN COUNSELLING HELP WITH PTSD?

Talking about your trauma and PTSD with a qualified counsellor can help you to process your experiences and challenge your thoughts and feelings in a safe and secure space. Your counsellor may use a method called Cognitive Behavioural Therapy which involves talking through the experience, gradually desensitising you to the trauma so you can change your perception of it moving forward.

Taking the step to see a counsellor about your trauma is a big achievement in acknowledging the issue and starting to address it. Avoidance can be a big part of PTSD and it not only makes your day to day life difficult, but it reinforces your subconscious negative patterns meaning the issue will persist.

PTSD can become permanent if left untreated, it is very important to address these issues as soon as possible to help you come to terms with your trauma and put it behind you, so you can move on with the rest of your life.