Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD)

In the face of trauma, it’s quite normal to have a significant response. Indeed, not all people with such responses will need treatment for PTSD. However, when the response lasts for a long time and interferes with a person’s emotional wellness and ability to function, they may want to seek therapy for PTSD. 

• PTSD can occur after what are known as Criterion A stressors:
  • experiencing or witnessing death, injury or sexual assault
  • experiencing serious threat of death, injury or sexual assault
  • learning about death, serious injury, or sexual assault happening to someone very close to you
  • repeated exposure to elements of death, injury or sexual assault (as may occur to first responders)

• To be diagnosed with PTSD, an individual must experience symptoms for longer than one month. These symptoms include:
  • Heightened arousal (e.g. startles easily)
  • “Intrusion” symptoms (like nightmares or flashbacks)
  • Negative thoughts and feelings about the nature of the world
  • Avoidance  

TREATMENT FOR PTSD

Lauren has trained in Prolonged Exposure (PE) Therapy, a very effective, well researched treatment for those with PTSD. PE also helps to support recovery for those with symptoms of PTSD who have not faced a Criterion A stressor. People who experience repeated verbal abuse, for instance, may have a response to the trauma that is similar to PTSD, and can also benefit from this therapy.