Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is an extreme anxiety disorder that can develop either after exposure to a traumatic event, or exposure to many smaller events over time (C-PTSD). Sufferers often develop PTSD after experiencing an event that caused them to feel extreme fear, shock or helplessness such as a car accident, wartime atrocity, a sudden bereavement, or being repeatedly exposed to trauma such as childhood sexual abuse or violence.
PTSD can even develop after simply hearing details of such events on a regular basis, as can happen with emergency workers who are exposed to traumatic events every day. Many of us may experience a trauma at least once in our lives and spend a period of time finding ways to cope. But what defines PTSD is when these feelings of anxiety do not fade with time, but continue to be felt months or years after the event and may even get worse, often being triggered by something which reminds us of the event such as sudden sounds or certain smells. Traumatic events that can induce PTSD include acts of war, terrorism, torture, assaults, car accidents, natural disasters, domestic violence, sexual abuse etc. Front line workers in the military, firefighters, police officers, paramedics, emergency workers and psychiatric professionals are particularly susceptible to this condition.
Our psychotherapists use a combination of evidence-based therapies to unravel the traumatic events and triggers that are leading to powerful flashbacks, nightmares and extreme waking anxiety. Using a two-step technique, Experience Learning – Life Learning, in our PTSD therapy, we show you how to capture important subsconscious information from past experiences by finding the objective learning that has come from this experience. The application of this psychotherapeutic technique isolates the belief(s) causing the PTSD from the acute traumatic experience(s) in question and brings lasting relief to the feelings that have been weighing you down.
We understand that re-visiting these unwanted and unpleasant events will be confronting and highly uncomfortable. We know you cannot forget the traumatic incidences that occurred, nor can they be changed. However, we can teach you a new way of looking at past experiences in a different light. This is powerful and life-changing, giving you a real way to reduce your ongoing trauma and eliminate the PTSD symptoms. Our skilled therapist take a delicate, yet pro-active approach, allowing you to gain greater control of your physical and emotional responses – and ultimately your functionality and happiness.
There is no one single reason why someone will develop PTSD after experiencing trauma and someone else will not. Genetic and environmental factors are both believed to play a part in a predisposition for developing PTSD. The extreme nature of the event or series of events can also be the instigator of development of either condition.
Someone who has previously experienced a traumatic event is thought to have a higher chance of developing PTSD, as is someone who has been exposed to trauma over a period of time (such as childhood abuse or living in a war zone).
Someone with a history of other types of mental illness is also believed to be more susceptible to PTSD, along with anyone experiencing ongoing stressful life events following a trauma without the benefit of any social supports.
Whether the traumatic event was intentional or not may also have a bearing, with someone experiencing a natural disaster thought less likely to develop PTSD than someone who has been sexually assaulted or suffers some other form of intentional physical violation.
Someone going through PTSD will normally exhibit the following complex PTSD symptoms:
Many of these reactions are an exaggerated version of the body’s natural ‘fight or flight’ responses to stress, so gaining a better understanding of the symptoms may help us to better understand the causes of PTSD.
There are various methods available for PTSD treatment in Australia, with several types of psychotherapy being the most effective forms of treatment. These include:
Our personally tailored, holistic and integrative programs are designed to empower you to deal with
issues in your life including:
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing an extremely traumatic event. PTSD is commonly associated with war veterans or first-responders, but it can impact anyone who has experienced trauma at any point in their life. C-PTSD (Complex PTSD) develops over time when a person is exposed to a series of similar events or traumatic behaviours, such as in cases of domestic violence, sexual abuse or emotional abuse.
PTSD/C-PTSD is experienced differently by different people and symptoms tend to be led by the type of trauma you have experienced. Some common symptoms of PTSD include:
Only a qualified healthcare professional can diagnose PTSD/C-PTSD. If you believe you may be experiencing symptoms of PTSD, it’s essential to reach out to a mental health professional, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist.
They can conduct a thorough evaluation, provide an accurate diagnosis based on your experience, and offer appropriate treatment options and support tailored to your needs.
In Australia, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can be considered a disability under certain circumstances. The Australian government has provisions to recognise and support individuals with disabilities, including those with mental health conditions like PTSD.
According to the Australian Human Rights Commission, mental health conditions, including PTSD, are covered by the definition of disability in the Disability Discrimination Act. This protects individuals with mental health conditions from discrimination in various areas of life, including employment.
The main program in Australia that provides support for individuals with disabilities is the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). The NDIS provides funding and support services to people with disabilities, including those with mental health conditions like PTSD, if their condition significantly impacts their daily functioning.
To be eligible for the NDIS, individuals must meet specific criteria related to the impact of their disability on their ability to participate in everyday activities. This includes undergoing assessments and providing evidence of the impact of the disability on their life.
Eligibility for disability support can vary depending on individual circumstances, and each case is assessed individually.
If you believe that your PTSD is affecting your ability to function in your daily life, you may want to consider contacting the NDIS or seeking advice from a healthcare professional or disability support organisation in Australia for more information on eligibility and available support services.
Understanding someone’s experience of PTSD/C-PTSD can be complex, and many seeking to support someone with the condition may struggle to know the best ways to offer help.
It’s important to know that offering the right support to someone with PTSD/C-PTSD can significantly affect their recovery and well-being. Here are some suggestions on how to do that:
Remember: Everyone’s experience with PTSD is unique, so it’s essential to communicate openly and ask the person with PTSD how you can best support them. Listen to what they tell you and act on this information accordingly, don’t just do what you believe is right for them.
If you are worried that someone’s symptoms of PTSD may worsen, encourage them to seek professional help from a therapist trained to provide specialised guidance and treatment.
With appropriate treatment support, it is possible to recover from PTSD. While the recovery process can vary for each individual, many people experience a significant reduction in symptoms and an improvement in their overall quality of life once they seek support and discover the right treatment plan for them.
There are different treatments available for treating PTSD/C-PTSD, including psychotherapies, medication, or a combination of both.
Some of the more effective therapeutic approaches for treatment of PTSD include:
Self-care and holistic health practices can also support recovery from PTSD. These may include regular physical exercise, practising relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and fostering social connections and support networks.
Recovery from PTSD/C-PTSD takes time and is often a gradual process. The timeline of recovery also varies significantly from one individual to the next.
When seeking to manage symptoms of PTSD/C-PTSD and recover, it is important to focus on your journey, discover the right treatment and support for you, and pay attention to your improvements over time – no matter how small they may seem.
If you or someone you know is struggling with PTSD/C-PTSD, contact a mental health professional who can provide personalised guidance and support.
Post-traumatic stress disorders can significantly impact the mind, affecting various aspects of an individual’s cognitive and emotional functioning.
Here’s a brief summary of the different ways this may show up:
This list is not definitive, so don’t worry if you or someone you know is experiencing different effects on their mind or mental state from experiencing post traumatic stress than those listed here.
While therapy is a crucial component of PTSD treatment, it may be possible for some individuals to experience a reduction in PTSD symptoms without receiving formal therapy.
Some individuals may find relief from their symptoms over time as they engage in self-care practices, adopt healthy coping strategies, and receive support from loved ones. However, therapy has a large body of research showcasing its effectiveness in treating PTSD. Those seeking recovery from the condition are encouraged to seek professional support alongside self-care practices and social support.
Here are a few factors that can contribute to recovery from PTSD without formal therapy:
While these factors can contribute to symptom reduction, it’s important to emphasise that PTSD is a complex disorder and professional help from a therapist or mental health professional is highly recommended.
If you are experiencing symptoms of post traumatic stress, no matter how minor, you do not have to suffer in silence. There are many ways to reach out and get the support you need.
There are several places where you can seek help, including:
Remember that seeking help is an essential step in the recovery process.
If you need help figuring out where to start, consider talking to a trusted individual, such as a friend or family member, who may be able to assist you in finding appropriate resources.
Our dedicated team is on hand to talk you through these options and explore how Palladium Private might work for you and your circumstances.
To get in touch, call 1300 573 095 to speak confidentially to one of our Admissions Consultants
