You can help others cope with trauma by spending time with them and listening carefully. Most people recover better when they feel connected to others who care about them. Some people choose not to talk about their experiences, and others may need to discuss their experiences. For some, talking about things that happened can help…
DetailsIndividuals with PTSD, depression, and other mental disorders have an increased risk of physical health problems. For example, there is substantial evidence linking depression with cardiovascular disorders, and there is increasing evidence of a similar association for PTSD. The etiology is thought to be multiply-determined, involving behavioral, psychological, and biological processes that combine over time…
DetailsThe effects of PTSD extend far beyond its symptoms. PTSD can affect both physical and mental health as well as quality of life in multiple ways. For example, Cognitive Processing Therapy improves physical health and sleep. Prolonged Exposure improves physical health and social functioning. Clients treated with Prolonged Exposure report better social functioning , and…
DetailsSeveral short-term psychosocial treatment programs for PTSD have been developed and found useful. The majority of these programs fall within the domain of Cognitive Behavior Therapy. The most studied program is Prolonged Exposure in which patients repeatedly relive their traumatic event and systematically confront trauma-related situations that evoke unrealistic anxiety. Variants of Exposure Therapy have…
DetailsAfter exposure to an extremely traumatic experience, some individuals re-experience the traumatic event in recollections, flashbacks, nightmares or after encountering reminders of the event. They may also develop emotional numbing and avoid situations that trigger unpleasant memories. Despite emotional numbing, many individuals with PTSD also have increased arousal or alertness. Re-experiencing the traumatic event. Most…
DetailsApproximately 10% of all children in developed countries suffer from some form of abuse. The impact of such abuse is often long lasting and often persists into adulthood. Such children are more likely to become involved in criminal behaviour and have substance use issues. Only about half of suspected abuse noted by professionals, such as…
DetailsIf you have been suffering from a trauma related nightmare for more than several months practice this exercise: Write down the disturbing dream and then change the nightmare anyway you wish and then write down the changed dream. Use imagery to rehearse your new dream scenario for 10 to 15 minutes. Next, describe your old nightmare and…
DetailsAnxiety Disorders are often the result of trauma. These disorders can include panic, generalized anxiety, obsessive compulsive, social phobia and posttraumatic stress. Panic Disorder is characterized by recurrent panic attacks accompanied by four of the following symptoms: palpitations, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea, lightheaded and a fear of dying. Generalized Anxiety Disorder…
DetailsIn certain populations it has been shown that there is an increased risk of PTSD in those who have a prior diminished mental or physical health status. Those with diminished physical or mental health prior to a traumatic experience are more likely to react poorly to the traumatic event as well as affect the coping strategies adopted…
DetailsA recent study has shown that adults with alopecia areata are significantly more likely to have a history of childhood and lifetime traumatic events than adults without this hair condition. Early traumatic life events therefore could be one of the factors that increase the vulnerability for developing alopecia in later life. Other studies have shown…
DetailsRecent research has indicated that migraine suferers are more apt to have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than the general population, Therefore the identification and treatment of PTSD in migraine sufferers may be an important part of their care that may reduce migraine-related disability. The study found that PTSD was present in 30.3% of those with chronic daily headache and…
DetailsA recent study has found a found an association between PTSD severity and health risk as measured by metabolic syndrome (systolic and diastolic blood pressure, waist-to-hip ratio and fasting measures of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, serum triglycerides and plasma glucose concentration), an important established predictor of morbidity and mortality. It is therefore quite possible that…
DetailsIn the first 2-3 hours after assault. 1. Physical shaking, trembling and shock. 2. Scared, worried, terrified and confused. After this initial period. 1. Symptoms of depression, exhaustion and restlessness, together with post traumatic stress disorder. Medium to long term effects. 1. Heightened fear, anger, anxiety, guilt, self blame, loss of trust, flashbacks and…
DetailsA recent study has shown that Posttraumatic Stress Disorder is a predictor of suicide. Individuals exposed to trauma, such as a physical assault, and go on to develop PTSD, are up to three times more likely to attempt suicide compared with those individuals who did not develop PTSD. Treatment considerations for those individuals suffering from PTSD should therefore…
DetailsA recent study showed that women who suffer ongoing physical abuse are almost three times as likely to use hospital emergency departments than women who are not. Those that suffer from emotional abuse also use significantly more health services than those not emotionaly abused, some 33% more. Women whose abuse is ongoing use the most…
DetailsChildren’s response to trauma may differ in important ways to those seen in adults. Children may find it hard to understand what has happened. They may be unable to describe how they are feeling and instead express themselves in other ways. The following behaviours may be seen in children following trauma: 1. Reliving the trauma.…
DetailsRecent research suggests that sexually abused boys are ten times more likely to contemplate suicide in adulthood, and that childhood abuse is a significant risk factor for suicide in men, which is three to four times more likely than in women. Men also, as opposed to women, are less likely to talk about their feelings,…
DetailsChildhood trauma has been shown to be a very important risk factor for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). Recent research has show than exposure to childhood sexual, physical and emotional abuse as well as neglect is associated with a greater than five fold increased risk of developing CFS. Individuals suffering from CFS should be screened for childhood trauma…
DetailsIt has been estimated by the World Health Organization that suicide is the eighth leading cause of death. While more women attempt suicide more men die from suicide by a factor of almost 5:1. Risk factors for suicide include domestic violence, low socioeconomic status, low education, unemployment, increasing age and marriage. Women exposed to violent domestic…
DetailsVictims of Crime Counselling Services is attempting to promote a Say No to Criminal Violence Day on the 21st of August of each year. In order to achieve this objective we need support from the public and the media. If you would like to be involved in the promotion and organization of this day kindly…
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