Conquering PTSD through CBT Training

Preface

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, is common amongst soldiers but many people suffer from this condition, especially those who have been traumatized from abuse or have been involved in a traumatic accident.

This condition is internal and can be treated through proper therapeutic procedures such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Some of the therapy techniques used to conquering PTSD will be extremely painful in some instances, yet they are necessary to help a person conquer PTSD.

Before we can manage your PTSD symptoms, however, it is important that you understand what those symptoms are.

Symptoms

Anxiety – it is not uncommon for people with PTSD to suffer from anxiety as a result. Most times the anxiety occurs from unresolved memories that appear in fragments.

Panic attacks – people with PTSD often experience panic attacks because of their state of mind. Most of these people live in extreme fear of the flashbacks that reappear often.

Flashbacks – flashbacks entail fragmented memories that resurface – the person is stuck in a certain time and cannot connect with the here and now or reality when the flashback occurs.

Night sweats – people with PTSD often have night sweats, especially after waking up to horrible dreams that sometimes they remember and other times they do not.

Nightmares – nightmares are recurrent. Oftentimes the person has horrible dreams about what happened to them in the past.

People with PTSD repeatedly relive in their mind the horrible things that happen to them. It is the symptom of flashbacks that makes these memories reappear.

Sufferers of PTSD have very strong feelings of discomfort and distress when reminded of the traumatic events that occurred in their past. They also experience physical responses, such as surges in the heart rate or night sweats that result from the reminders of the traumatic events. These events often occur when the person is triggered.

Avoidance

Some people will try to avoid conversations that relate to their traumatic experiences; others will lash out to express those experiences to others. They often try to avoid people or places that remind them of the traumatic experiences.

People with PTSD tend to isolate themselves regularly to protect themselves from others that may trigger them. They often recall fragments of the experiences but struggle with remembering responsibilities, chores and so forth.

Most times, they suffer a loss of interest in important things, or once enjoyable activities. They tend to feel distant and isolated from others. They have trouble in expressing positive feelings such as love or happiness. Some people may feel that their life will end earlier, while most will strive to find a way to overcome their feelings and thoughts.

Loud noises should be avoided, as those with PTSD hear the sounds like cannons going off in their mind, or shotgun blasts when they hear loud noises.

Hyperarousal and Hyperactive

Most times the person with PTSD feels hyperactive and unable to find relaxation. The tension for anxiety, stress, and panic attacks take full control of their lives as they often hit at once. They suffer with insomnia or have problems falling to sleep and staying a sleep at night. The tension in the stomach makes it harder for them to get to sleep. They often experience feelings of irritability and have outbursts of anger, especially when triggered. It is often difficult for them to focus or concentrate. They feel constantly defensive as though danger lurks about every corner. They are easy to startle and often feel jumpy.

Like a soldier, these people stay on guard, sleeping with one eye open and always prepared to battle if necessary.

Unfortunately there are a lot of selfish people in the world that do not think before they speak or act and they will trigger these people often without feeling any remorse.

PTSD

PTSD is a condition that follows traumatic experiences. It is a psychological condition that affects people who have suffered severe emotional trauma because of experiences such as combat, natural disaster, crime, etc. It causes sleep disorders or disturbances, flashbacks, anxiety, tiredness and depression.

There is hope!

While most people go through their lifetime trying to overcome PTSD, many never get well because so many people, men especially, will not seek professional help. Through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, however, we can help you if you are willing to put forth effort to conquer PTSD.

I am a survivor of lifelong PTSD and as of today, I am fully well and completely sane. I have overcome all of the symptoms in this guide and then some named. Like me, you can conquer PTSD too. Understanding the symptoms and mental disorders can help you conquer PTSD.

Mental Disorders

We all sometimes feel depressed, afraid, anxious, angry and alone. For most of us, those feelings last for a very short time. Yet others feel intense emotions such as anger, loneliness, fear, etc that attacks them throughout the day and night. When these feelings take over your life, it is a clear indicator that you may have a mental disorder.

Mental disorders stem from psychological, emotional, biochemical or physical problems. When a person suffers from a mental illness, it can interfere with their daily activities and rob them of their joy of living. Having a mental disorder can also affect others, your relationships and dealings in society on a large scale.

Mental disorders are different for everyone because each person is different. The episodes one may experience may not be the same as others encounter, yet it is clear that you are not alone.

Mental illnesses or disorders can affect our thinking, emotions, behaviors and feelings, and prevent us feeling happy, healthy or productive. People with mental disorders are generally recognized by their inability to cope with life changes, problems, traumas or demands.

Up until recently, most people would shun those with mental disorders because they feared them due to ignorance and lack of understanding but today scientists and counselors understand the conditions better. Now there is more understanding on the cause and the problems that cause mental disorders.

Scientists helped experts to see that most mental disorders are caused by chemical imbalances in the brain which cause a disturbance of the emotions. They will benefit more, however, if they begin to see that everyone with mental disorders has t some point of their lifetime, been abused or faced traumas and until those past experiences are explored entirely, no treatment will ever be effective.

We feel that helping you to understand your condition will help you effectively accept treatment and use it to get well. For this reason, we suggest that you learn about the two types of mental disorders.

Types of mental disorders – organic and functional

1. Natural disorder – This disorder is caused by physical imbalances or injuries which affect the brain. The types of natural disorders include alcoholism, strokes, infections, brain tumors, lupus and so forth.

2. Functional disorder – A functional disorder often develops from psychological causes. PTSD, for example, is the result of severe trauma. These types of disorders are recognized as functional because there is no evidence that an imbalance exists.

Functional disorders often result to emotional conflicts, which causes high levels of stress from fears whether they are rational or irrational. The sufferer often has poor coping skills or the inability to deal with the stress on their own.

Scientists have suggested in the past that some functional disorders may be caused by inborn causes. Mental illnesses like PTSD are often rooted from childhood abuse or recent traumatic experiences.

Summary

PTSD tends to follow anxiety attacks and other disorders. Therefore, we must consider anxiety disorders and other disorders to treat this single mental disorder. Earlier we discussed PTSD and what it involves, its symptoms, and an understanding of mental disorders. Now we hope that you join us in the eight steps to conquer PTSD.

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