If you are seeking treatment and counselling for PTSD and Trauma in Melbourne read through to learn more. Living through challenging and complex experience can contribute to a range of emotional reactions. Where there has been violence, harshness, abuse, an accident, or loss of life symptoms of PTSD can develop. Such events can include child sexual or physical abuse, adult sexual or physical assault, serious accident, combat or military exposure, natural disasters, and armed assault or robbery.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a set of responses that sometimes develop following exposure to a life threatening or traumatic event. After witnessing or experiencing a traumatic event, it’s normal for people to have stress-related reactions and recurring memories of the event. These reactions can include fear, sadness, helplessness, horror, and guilt. However, sometimes a traumatic event can be so distressing that reactions don’t go away and may disrupt a person’s daily life. In this case, they may have post-traumatic stress disorder.

When the trauma occurs over a long period or repeatedly (often during childhood) complex trauma can develop. This is where The usual symptoms of PTSD are present alongside persistent difficulties with emotion regulation, disorganized emotional states such as dissociation, and difficulties forming and sustaining stable relationships.

Below is a list of common symptoms of PTSD and trauma. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms it can be worth calling to discuss how treatment might help.

Re-experiencing Symptoms

1. Intrusive distressing memories and thoughts
2. Nightmares and dreams where aspects of the event are relived.
3. flashbacks and physiological arousal that might mimic the traumatic event.

Avoidance

1. Avoiding or repressing distressing memories and thoughts.
2. avoiding scenarios, situations, and external reminders related to the traumatic event(S).
3. Using alcohol and other drugs to numb or reduce negative feelings.

High Arousal

1. Tendency to experience persistently high arousal
2. Irritability, frustration, and outbursts of anger.
3. Reckless and destructive behaviour
4. hypervigilance and exaggerated startle responses,
5, difficulties with concentration, relaxation, and sleeping.

Changed Beliefs and Emotions

1. changes to our belief systems, thought patterns, and expectations about oneself, others, and the world (e.g., “I am bad,” “No one can be trusted,” “The world is completely dangerous,” “My whole nervous system is permanently ruined”).
2. Furthermore, People often get stuck in negative emotional cycles of fear, horror, anger, guilt, blame, and shame.

Depressive symptoms, Diminished Interest

1. Markedly diminished interest or participation in significant activities,
2. feelings of detachment, apathy, or estrangement from others.
3. Persistent inability to experience positive emotions (e.g., inability to experience happiness, satisfaction, or loving feelings).
4. Suicidal ideation or plans to harm yourself.

Trauma can have a huge impact on a person’s life. Left untreated PTSD can be a harrowing experience to deal with.

Treatment often aims to regulate distress, anxiety, and high arousal. Furthermore, treatment aims to bolster supports, understanding, and to empower people to live with and overcome traumatic experiences.

Importantly, therapy involves processing the traumatic event, emotional experience, and impacted beliefs. By doing this the intensity of traumatic reactions can be reduced and shifted. Furthermore, unhelpful beliefs and assumptions can be explored, challenged, and modified.

There are many pathways for treating PTSD and trauma reactions. Reaching out and connecting can be the first step.