Overview of Psychology and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

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When We Suffer Shock

After a traumatic experience, it is not uncommon to feel sad, anxious, frightened and even disconnected. It is not unusual to lose your trust or fear for your safety. You start having bad dreams, become a little paranoid, depression sets in and you do not think you will ever be normal again. You just feel numb.

These are all common symptoms after any catastrophe. These symptoms are known as post-traumatic stress disorder. Although post-traumatic stress disorder usually occurs within hours or days of the event, it can take anywhere from weeks to years to appear. Post-traumatic stress disorder or (PTSD) is most commonly associated with battle fatigued men and women of the armed forces. However, the psychology of post traumatic stress disorder includes all traumatic events, such natural catastrophes, terrorist attacks, car or plane accidents, rape, abuse, assault, or the sudden death of a loved one in its assessment of PTSD. If people need More Help from attorneys on accidents, they can check it out here!

When Trauma Becomes a Disorder

It is important to distinguish between normal reactions to trauma, and when it has become post-traumatic stress disorder. After a traumatic event, you naturally go into shock, but as you come out of it, you start making sense of what happened and begin processing your emotions. If you are experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder, you continue to remain in psychological shock for a long period and begin experiencing feelings of disconnection. The symptoms of PTSD can arise randomly and may even come and go. For some, the symptoms may be triggered by noises, images, smells, or even certain words.

The psychology of post-traumatic stress disorder focuses on the 3 main symptoms of PTSD. One of these symptoms is referred to as re experiencing the traumatic event. This symptom includes flashbacks, nightmares, intrusive memories, and intense feelings of distress when reminded of the event. Physical distress will also manifest such as rapid heart rate, nausea, and sweating.

Another symptom of PTSD is referred to as avoidance and numbing which includes the inability to remember important aspects of the trauma, avoidance of anything that reminds you of the event, loss of interest in participation of activities or even life in general, feeling numb, and the sense you have no future.

The third symptom that the psychology of PTSD focuses on is known as increased anxiety and emotional arousal. This category deals with the symptoms of difficulty in falling or staying asleep, difficulty in concentrating, anger outbursts and irritability, hyper-vigilance and being easily startled and jumpy.

Introducing Therapies

The goal of therapists who work with victims of PTSD is to help them develop new coping skills related to their symptoms. The therapy may involve relaxation techniques, learning to regulate emotional influences, and education on symptoms and issues typically related to the type of trauma the patient is experiencing. The patient may be asked to revisit the scene where the event occurred, or restructure it in a story within a group or individual setting.

Homelessness, uncontrolled addictions, severe emotional distress, panic attacks and suicidal impulses are among the problems often facing victims of PTSD. The psychology of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder seeks to make the patient feel safe while reducing their symptoms and increasing their competency.

Many types of therapies have been introduced, some of which are considered cutting edge, such as “somatic experiencing” and “sensorimotor therapy,” which uses the body to work through experiences. Many of these therapies have not been backed by research evidence, however. As a therapist for patients with PTSD, your work will be largely based on developing sensitivity to your patients’ distress and helping them work through it via individual guidance and group therapy.