PTSD

PsychOptions™ PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)/ Abuse Survivors

Click here to Compose a Letter below.

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Click on a Topic: What is PTSD? PTSD Signs & Symptoms Treatments Compose a Letter

What is PTSD?

PTSD can develop after one very traumatic incident, such as surviving a plane crash or a robbery, or it can stem from years of repeated personal assaults, such as sexual, physical, and/or emotional torture or abuse. The key elements are that a person (child or adult) is placed in a position of terror (actual or threatened death or serious injury) and is helpless to do anything about it. When a person is usually presented with something very threatening, he or she " fights or flees." Trauma is said to develop when a very frightening situation happens and the person cannot fight or run away. Abused children who cannot leave the situation of their abuse are said to flee " emotionally" and "dissociate" from their bodies. This begins the separation of self from body that soon becomes a defense mechanism, which unfortunately creates problems in adult life (memory problems/ daydreaming/forgetfulness/losing time, even DID[see below]). Even very young children remember events at least physiologically (body memories), and that memory (which can be an emotional memory) is now locked in the brain. Certain triggers can re-awaken the memory and trigger a response. From a trauma or series of traumas a cluster of symptoms emerges that can vary with the individual, but has many similarities.

Signs & Symptoms of PTSD

Recurrent recollections (flashbacks) and reliving/re-experiencing the event (s).
Distress or strong response to a triggering event, which can be a color, odor, touch (texture), anniversary date, or anything that symbolizes or represents the event.
Avoidance -- the person makes every effort to avoid the places, thoughts and feelings associated with the event(s).
Psychic numbing -- feeling strangely detached and reduced ability to feel, especially shortly after the event.
Foreshortened future -- does not think in terms of a long life (family/children/usual life span)
Hypervigilance -- always prepared and easily startled. Sometimes irritability and anger, and difficulty concentrating
Persistent anxiety -- Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep with recurrent nightmares.

PTSD is complex, linked to a person's physiology, and can be acute, chronic, or a delayed reaction. PTSD requires assessment and treatment by a mental health professional skilled and trained in the diagnosis and treatment of this disorder. Often medications are needed to manage the strong emotions. Sometimes during treatment, abreactions (reliving of an experience with strong emotions) can develop, and requires the experience of someone who has specialized in PTSD. Often traumatized persons will compulsively repeat or bring about the trauma experienced in order to try to remaster the event and/or may engage in many self-destructive behaviors (speeding/drinking/ self-cutting/prostitution). Other disorders often associated with PTSD are Dissociative Identity Disorder ( Multiple Personality Disorder), Major Depression, Borderline Personality Disorder, and Self-Mutilative Behaviors (cutting of arms or body parts, etc.).

This page is created to provide some introductory information about an important and complex disorder that cannot be explained in a few short paragraphs. There are many opinions, books written (see Bibliotherapy), and suggested treatments for PTSD. It is important, however, to seek out a competent, highly skilled mental health professional, when seeking treatment for this disorder.

Treatments

PTSD survivors often benefit from group therapy (sharing the experiences), art therapy, movement therapy, individual therapy, medications, and EMDR (see What is EMDR?). If one is dealing with long-term abuse, often treatment can take time (even years), requiring on-going management and support of family, loved ones and/or friends. The beginning treatments focus on remaining safe and grounded (dealing with destructive tendencies and with dissociation). Then a person can move on to the problems associated with affect (strong emotions) and the work needed to confront the terrors that caused the situation in the first place. Often a part of healing is what is called " journaling," -- writing in a daily journal all thoughts and emotions to express in words what was not once able to be expressed (speechless terror). Also helpful is the writing of a letter to someone who was abusive and has never admitted that abuse. [TOP]

Compose a Letter

Compose Yourself was created as a "Safe Place" to send your e-mail letters to begin the process of explaining to an abuser what he or she has done to you and the effect it has had on your life. This Safe Place does not require that you identify yourself or your abuser ( and asks that you don't, use a first name only or an alias) -- only that you write a letter. The writing of the letter is for you and for your benefit and to start the healing. These letters will be deleted every week or so to make room for others who need to express their feelings about their abuse. There will be no response (professional or otherwise) from PsychOptions to these letters, as this service is for " self expression" and your personal use only. If sending an anonymous letter would benefit you, feel free to use this service any time you need to express yourself to your former abuser. If you are currently being abused, then you need to seek help from a therapist, clergy, or someone who can help you in this situation and to eventually leave the situation.

Write your letter now:

Click Compose Yourself to send an e-mail.

This service can be used by others who may want to express feelings they either can't (at the moment) express, or are not ready to express. Hopefully, this will help you in releasing pent-up emotions and secondarily, help you in reviewing what has happened to better deal with the situation, or future situations. If you are currently in therapy, please advise your therapist that you are using this service to continue dealing with specific issues in your therapy. Another important treatment in the area of PTSD is EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). ( See What is EMDR?) This is a relatively simple treatment, but must be done by a practitioner properly trained in EMDR. As always, the assessment of your problem is of utmost importance in determining the kind of help and treatment you need. For more information on EMDR and clinician referrals, go to the EMDR website.

If you identify with any of the above symptoms, then you might want to consider seeking out an experienced therapist or mental health professional. PTSD from Abuse can and has affected the lives of many people causing emotional upheaval, disruption, and unstable, unsatisfying relationships. With recognition of the problem and commitment to managing your life in spite of PTSD, many can move onto a manageable life and the ability to experience joy. The ultimate goal is not to rid of the memories, memories remain -- but rather the intense emotions that have been linked to these memories.

If you have a question about PTSD, PsychOptions will be glad to respond to that question or to consult about your situation. Please go the Registration site for services and rates. If, however, it is determined that you need professional, face-to-face help, then suggestions will be made for a referral. Acute or long-standing PTSD cannot be treated on-line.

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