PTSD

Each November our thoughts turn to those who fought and died to protect us and ultimately our way of life.  Just as importantly we should show our gratitude to those who are still fighting for us and our freedom, their bravery and dedication knows no bounds.

But what I really want to talk about are those who continue to suffer long after they have served their country and are struggling to lead a normal life.  They are the ones suffering with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).  It’s difficult to find any figures on the numbers currently affected, but Combat Stress Charity states that “mental ill-health affects ex-Service men and women of all ages, and right now, they are supporting over 5,400 Veterans aged from 19 to 97!” And they’ve never been busier!

But, of course, it’s not just our Veterans who can suffer from PTSD, anyone who has been involved or witnessed, a serious trauma such as a life-threatening assault, a severe accident, rape, torture or seeing someone killed is just as likely to suffer too.  And if you are victim of rape, you have a 50% more chance of developing PTSD!  According to Patient.co.uk, it is estimated that 3 in a 100 people may develop PTSD at some stage in their life.  Which I think is quite a shocking statistic!

Symptoms can often include flash-backs, nightmares, panic attacks, depression, avoidance, substance abuse, relationship issues, anger issues, OCD, and in the most serious of cases, some sufferers have even resorted to suicide.

Thankfully Solution Focused Hypnotherapists are finding that their work with clients suffering from PTSD is having such a positive effect on them.  By helping their clients to let go of past events and enable them to start moving forwards in a positive way which helps them cope so much better with life. And better still, generally, we don’t need to know what caused your PTSD in order to help you overcome it, which means that you don’t have to discuss it and you don’t have to re-live it when you come for treatment.