“Fear triggers many split-second changes in the body to help defend against danger or to avoid it. This “fight-or-flight” response is a typical reaction meant to protect a person from harm. Nearly everyone will experience a range of reactions after trauma, yet most people recover from initial symptoms naturally.

Those who continue to experience problems may be diagnosed with PTSD. People who have PTSD may feel stressed or frightened even when they are not in danger.”

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) includes a cluster of symptoms that begin and persist after a person has survived, or in some cases witnessed, a traumatic or threatening event. Because trauma puts us on high alert, it can lead to neurochemical changes.

In some cases, memories of trauma become difficult to process while anxiety increases, all causing the individual to re-experience the feelings associated with trauma as if it were occurring in the present.

When in danger, it is natural to feel afraid. This fear triggers many split-second changes in the body to prepare to defend against the danger or to avoid it.

Some of the most common symptoms of PTSD include the following:

• Intense feelings of distress when reminded of a tragic event
• Extreme physical reactions to reminders of trauma such as a nausea, sweating or a pounding heart
• Invasive, upsetting memories of a tragedy
• Flashbacks (feeling like the trauma is happening again)
• Nightmares of either frightening things or of the event
• Loss of interest in life and daily activities
• Feeling emotionally numb and detached from other people
• Sense of a not leading a normal life (not having a positive outlook of your future)
• Avoiding certain activities, feelings, thoughts, or places that remind you of the tragedy
• Difficulty remembering important aspects of a tragic event

According to the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation 8 million adults experienced PTSD in the past year, including 5% of children between the ages of 13 and 18, with these numbers its surprising that people can still feel stigmatized and avoid the help they desperately need and want. Here are Metro Counselling we have a goal to help our clients remove that barrier to their future.

You might describe it as a living hell that shows up day or night, with or without warning!

We are here 24 hours a day to assist you in finding the quality treatment programs that will work for you or your loved one:

• Intrusive thoughts such as repeated, involuntary memories; distressing dreams; or flashbacks of the traumatic event. Flashbacks may be so vivid that people feel they are re-living the traumatic experience or seeing it before their eyes.
• Avoiding reminders of the traumatic event may include avoiding people, places, activities, objects and situations that bring on distressing memories. People may try to avoid remembering or thinking about the traumatic event. They may resist talking about what happened or how they feel about it.
• Negative thoughts and feelings may include ongoing and distorted beliefs about oneself or others (e.g., “I am bad,” “No one can be trusted”); ongoing fear, horror, anger, guilt or shame; much less interest in activities previously enjoyed; or feeling detached or estranged from others.
• Arousal and reactive symptoms may include being irritable and having angry outbursts; behaving recklessly or in a self-destructive way; being easily startled; or having problems concentrating or sleeping.

If you are struggling with PTSD or wondering if you be diagnosed with PTSD, Kristina can sit down with you to listen to your concerns and provide actionable feedback that makes a difference. At that time, she will also let you know if your symptoms qualify as a PTSD diagnosis that she can help you with.

Understanding your hardships is imperative, which is why Kristina will compassionately teach you how your thoughts, feelings and behaviors affect your ability to cope. We can also guide you to resources to support you as you find your path to freedom from with PTSD.

Get help diagnosing and overcoming the Risks Associated with PTSD