Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Treatment in Adelaide
It is important that individuals, families, and communities that have been impacted by trauma, adversity, and loss have a way to re-establish a sense of safety and predictability in the world. This is what we aim to do by providing treatment for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?
Also known as PTSD, post-traumatic stress disorder is a disorder that develops in response to a traumatic experience. It is most typical in those individuals that have experienced a shocking, scary, or dangerous event. The definition of what is shocking and scary isn’t often universal and that is why PTSD can develop in different ways from person to person. We all experience fear or distress in different ways and have triggers that develop in response to that. It is your mental, emotional, and physical reaction to these triggers that determine if you have PTSD and if you need professional support.
What Can Cause PTSD?
PTSD can be caused by any kind of trauma. Traumatic situations are often life-threatening or involve serious injury, and lead to feelings of intense fear, helplessness, or horror. Trauma can arise when something happens to you, or if you witness something happen to someone else. Potentially traumatic situations include:
- Physical or sexual assault
- A motor vehicle accident
- An industrial accident
- Bush fire or flood
- War experiences
Symptoms of PTSD
Persistent symptoms of PTSD include:
- Anxiety levels raised – in situations where the person may feel at risk or in any situation that reminds them of the incident
- Intrusive thoughts and flashbacks
- Panic attacks may occur
- Vulnerability levels raised
- Suspicion increases – victims are suspicious of many or most people with whom they come into contact
- Sleep disturbances – reminiscent nightmares are common
- Concentration level drop – some victims are unable to work
- Irritability – inconsequential incidents may take on huge proportions
- Isolation – victims may withdraw from social contact believing no one else understands their situation
- Physical symptoms – fatigue, headaches and/or GI disturbance
- Low self-esteem
- Relationship problems
- Depression
Treatment for PTSD
The National Health and Medical Research Council treatment guidelines state that the recommended first-line treatment for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder is trauma-focused therapy. Clinical research shows a high level of effectiveness in the reduction of symptoms following this treatment.
Whilst debriefing – onsite counselling provided very soon after an incident – may not be beneficial, best practice guidelines state that early support and effective treatment in a secure situation are recommended.
PTSD Treatment in Adelaide
We provide trauma counselling according to best practice guidelines.
- Clinical psychologist Emer Dunne treats PTSD