PTSD is classified as an anxiety disorder under the DSM-IV. If someone is suffering from PTSD, they may develop physical and emotional reactions including vivid flashbacks, and nightmares, accompanied by sweating. The symptoms also include intrusive thoughts, and intense distress at real or symbolic reminders of the trauma. A person suffering from PTSD tends to avoid situations and/or places that remind them of the trauma. The person may be unable to remember certain aspects of the event, feel emotionally numb, be unable to express affection, and show no interest in planning any future activities. The symptoms may also include lack of sleep and concentration, getting angry or upset easily, irritability, aggressive behaviour and a panic response to anything related to the trauma.
These symptoms are likely to trigger strong anxiety preventing you from going about your everyday activities as normal.
The causes of trauma include difficulties that you may have faced in childhood, abuse, accidents, violence, bullying and more.
Trauma has a varied effect on individuals. CBT hypnotherapy is based on changing the way you look and view things. EMDR, which was developed in the 1990s, is designed to stimulate the information processing system in the brain, and to help you process the traumatic events, to speed up re-adjustment and recovery. In addition, deep relaxation with other approaches and suggestions by your therapist, will assist you in reflecting on what happened, enabling you to deal with the trauma in a more confident way.