Your brain is amazing, it remembers everything. But sometimes there are things we’d prefer to forget.

Post traumatic stress (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder which has been triggered by a specific or series of traumatising events. Symptoms include, flashbacks, nightmares, inability to relax, hyper-sensitivity, intrusive thoughts, and physical sensations such as nausea, sweating and increased heartbeat.

Post Traumatic Stress can be created by any number of traumatic events. We probably associate most readily with soldiers experiencing horrific experiences in battle but it can be triggered by road accidents, violent attacks, prolonged abuse, natural disasters and bereavement. It can impact us even if we’ve only witnessed something traumatic.

One of the most difficult aspects of treatment for many people is having to talk about their experience so I use an approach which means that you don’t have to discuss the details of what you have had to live through. Many people have come to assume that they have no option but to live with the impact of trauma but it can be treated very successfully, often in a very short space of time.

If you think you are suffering the effects of a past trauma do get in touch. I might well be able to help you get your life back.

Why Do We Suffer So Badly When Upsetting Things Happen?

Your brain remembers all the events and experiences that you’ve had. It files them away, like it would in a filing cabinet, and when it has a new experience or stimulus it refers to its records to see if it recognises it as similar to anything which has gone before. When trauma occurs the data never gets properly filed away and so it can become all consuming or overwhelming, emotionally hijacking you when you least expect it. It can feel as if you are out of control, and that fear of terrifying thoughts flooding you without warning is massively debilitating. Treatment can help you file away the traumatic memories so that you are able to retrieve them when you want to rather than them returning constantly and without warning.

PTSD sufferers often tell me “I just want to erase that part of my memory”. Of course, this is not possible or healthy. What is required is the ability to properly store the experience without being constantly affected by it. We can do this.

If you think you might have a problem with post traumatic stress please contact me.