Understanding PTSD/CPTSD

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is often misunderstood. Contrary to what the term “disorder” suggests, PTSD is not something inherently wrong with a person. Instead, it is a collection of symptoms that represent a reaction to traumatic experiences. These symptoms are physical reactions triggered psychologically, often by events that the sufferer may not even clearly remember.

The subconscious mind is adept at repressing memories to protect us from emotional pain. However, this repression does not turn off the physical reactions associated with the trauma. As a result, individuals can experience acute reactions without any apparent context, making these experiences bewildering and distressing.

Hypnotherapy: A Solution for PTSD and CPTSD

Clinical hypnotherapy has proven effective in addressing PTSD symptoms on multiple fronts. It can help reduce or eliminate:

-Acute and chronic pain

-Insomnia, and enable restorative sleep

-Stop spontaneous flashbacks

-Intrusive thoughts

-Panic attacks, and anxiety

By addressing the root causes of these physical reactions through a technique known as hypnoanalysis. This is where hypnosis brings you into a state of consciousness, in which a person experiences a deep focussed concentration.

A state, where a person may find themselves able to remember events and incidents they were not aware of before.  With this insight, symptoms are eliminated and transformation and healing can take place.

Historical Success of Hypnotherapy

During World War II, U.S. military psychiatrists and psychologists achieved significant success with clinical hypnotherapy. They helped returning service personnel eliminate acute physical conditions resulting from wartime experiences, such as hysterical paralysis, blindness, sudden deafness, muteness, depression, and anxiety. These techniques laid the foundation for modern-day clinical hypnotherapy and have continued to help veterans from subsequent conflicts, including those in Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

Who Else Can Benefit from Hypnotherapy

PTSD is not exclusive to military personnel. First responders, healthcare workers, journalists, victims of violent crimes, and individuals who have experienced abuse, extreme stress, or intimidation are also highly susceptible to PTSD. Hypnotherapy can be a huge help for anyone experiencing the following symptoms:

– Repeated upsetting memories and nightmares

– Feeling detached, emotionally numb, or indifferent

– Irritability, nervousness, hyper-vigilance, and being easily startled

– Guilt, including survivor guilt

– Memory gaps regarding the traumatic event

– Loss of interest in activities or people

Additional symptoms of PTSD may include agitation, excitability, dizziness, fainting, racing heart, high blood pressure, and headaches.

The Advantages of Hypnotherapy

Clinical hypnotherapy addresses PTSD on a subconscious level, offering a non-addictive alternative to medications and often providing faster results than many traditional “talking therapies.” Many sufferers see improvements in their symptoms after the very first session, with the possibility of eliminating symptoms entirely within weeks.

Conclusion

PTSD and CPTSD are not indicative of personal failings but are natural responses to traumatic stress. Hypnotherapy offers an effective treatment option by addressing the subconscious mind, helping individuals heal faster and more thoroughly. If you or someone you know is struggling with PTSD symptoms, consider exploring clinical hypnotherapy as a path to recovery and well-being.

For more detailed information on how hypnotherapy can help with PTSD and CPTSD, Please do not hesitate to contact me.