By Jennifer Vear Hoy, MS/MS – Specialist in Anger Management/Psychotherapist
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD ) is a mental health condition which occurs after the experience of a terrifying event. Soul-shocking events such as military combat, serious accidents, physical or sexual assault, natural disasters, child abuse or any other painful, near death experience can trigger PTSD.
PTSD sufferers are often haunted by the terror of the initial trauma, which replays over and over in body, mind, and spirit. In effect, PTSD dominates its victims by the loss of perspective, as there is no ability to put sorrowful memories or incidents in the past where they belong. In addition to distressing memories that will not go away, PTSD sufferers are hypervigilant to the slightest perceptions of possible danger—a sound or even a smell in the air can invoke panic rooted in scars from the original trauma. Flashbacks, persistent feelings of guilt or shame, nightmares, and generalized anxiety are also common PTSD traits.
There is no clinical test for PTSD; only a skilled professional can make such a diagnosis When a therapist finds a patient with significant distress that disrupts their daily lives with symptoms lasting longer than a month, a PTSD diagnosis will often be found. In therapy, a key goal is to restore confidence as well as overcome negative beliefs and emotions. In order to heal, it is crucial for a PTSD patient to regain a sense of safety.
PTSD: Biology and Behaviors
The physical changes from PTSD show the depth of the injury to the victim; it literally changes the brain and how it functions. Therapy will, in time, foster a renewed sense of safety which will help to manage behavior. Let’s take a closer look at its physical impact.
The Amygdela is the brain’s early warning system Some experts believe that the Amygdela is a relatively primitive part of the brain which we inherited from our animal ancestors. When the Amygdela perceives danger, it does more than just relay information: No, the Amygdela roars to the other parts of the brain that this is a FLIGHT, FIGHT, or FREEZE emergency. With PTSD, the Amygdela is less able to distinguish danger from safety, leaving it hypervigilant and in a quasi-perpetual panic mode. This is true whether the perceived threat is genuine trauma or PTSD-generated drama. The role of therapy is to relax the over-stimulated Amygdela to stop issuing such frequent false alarms!
The Hippocampus can be described as the brain’s traffic cop who directs emotions and memories to their proper places to keep the brain balanced and healthy. The Hippocampus is responsible for logging experiences in the brain’s proper storage site so we can ideally learn from them, but not repeat. When PTSD flares, this traffic cop loses direction. When functioning properly, the Hippocampus files experiences away appropriately—past, preset, and future. After PTSD damage, the Hippocampus actually shrinks, and will malfunction, allowing flashbacks, sleepless nights, and free-floating anxiety to continue.
The Prefrontal Cortex is the executive suite of the brain. With PTSD, the executive suite becomes underactive. As a result, irrational thinking can take hold. It is almost as if the brain’s executives made a habit of three martini lunches and refused to address the demands of the workplace every afternoon.
Overall, the negative physical effects of PTSD on the Amygdela, the Hippocampus, and the Prefrontal Cortex affect cognition and short-term memory. Due to PTSD drama/trauma and its inability to allow toxic memories to be put into their proper perspective, stress hormones (cortisol, adrenaline and epinephrine) often remain elevated.
Cortisol is the slow and steady release stress hormone. It maintains steady blood sugar to enable a quick response if needed. Cortisol also shuts down non-essential bodily functions when in crisis – like digestion. Adrenaline and epinephrine are the fast release hormones that rev up the body, and especially the blood pressure, for action. This combination pumps extra energy into the muscles for a quick get-away, if needed.
For Recovery, Re-Train the Brain
Therapy and prescription drugs can help in recovery but cannot erase trauma. Prescriptions can give a patient the tools to help re-train the brain and lessen PTSD’s devastating impact. There are multiple, well-respected therapeutic responses to a PTSD diagnosis which are beyond the scope of this article. However, Cognitive Therapy geared to a patient’s specific needs can help. Gaining the emotional skills to re-train the brain and manage symptoms is a workable initial goal. Such an encounter begins with a safe and secure therapy setting, characterized by mutual trust, respect, and understanding. A wise therapist will approach the PTSD topic gently, a nibble at a time. During sessions, therapist and patient will attempt to “unpack” all aspects of the trauma. Such gradual exposure may offer healing to those afflicted with PTSD to enable them to re-claim their lives.
Jennifer Vear Hoy
Jennifer Vear Hoy is a psychotherapist and the owner of Peaceful Summit Counseling. She holds a Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling and a Master of Science in Management and Organizational Behavior. She holds a deep belief in ongoing education as well as community involvement.
Jennifer spent over 20 years in business as a corporate strategist, operating her own consulting firm in Chicago. Following the death of her husband in 2006, she realized firsthand the need for professional, caring counseling. She returned to school and earned her second master’s degree as a clinical mental health counselor.
“It is my passion to help others live the life they were meant to live.” -Jennifer Vear Hoy
1048 Goodlette Road, North, Suite 201,
Naples, Florida 34102
239-307-4708
PeacefulSummitNaples.com
Specializing in grief/loss, anxiety, anger management, addiction, depression, eating disorders and relationship counseling.