Soldiers returning home from the battlefield often suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), triggered by the horrors they witnessed in combat. However, this condition is not exclusive to soldiers. PTSD can affect anyone who has experienced a traumatic event such as an accident, disaster, terrorist attack, or violence.
Interestingly, research suggests that susceptibility to PTSD is partially genetic, and women are more than twice as likely as men to suffer from the disorder. This higher prevalence among women is often linked to their increased likelihood of experiencing violence, particularly sexual violence. Learn more about PTSD on calgarynka.
Symptoms of PTSD
According to Calgary-based Flourish Psychological Services, PTSD manifests differently in each individual, but common symptoms include:
- Intrusive memories of the traumatic event
- Disturbing dreams or mild hallucinations
- Persistent sadness, fear, or anger
- A desire to withdraw from the world and avoid situations that remind one of the trauma
- Negative reactions to specific stimuli, such as loud noises or unexpected touches
PTSD is primarily associated with the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex of the brain. These regions regulate emotions, particularly fear, and are critical for visual and spatial memory.
Treatment of PTSD
If untreated, PTSD can severely impact a person’s quality of life. Professional help from a clinical psychologist or psychotherapist is essential, while medication is rarely required.
While results cannot be guaranteed, some methods have proven highly effective in treating PTSD, even helping some Calgarians fully recover without medication. Flourish Psychological Services employs two particularly effective therapies for clients of all ages and backgrounds:
- 1. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
This therapy combines elements from various therapeutic approaches with guided eye movements to simulate sleep patterns and the brain’s natural resting phase. This process helps the brain process distressing memories.
During EMDR sessions, the patient recalls the traumatic event while focusing on the therapist’s hand moving side-to-side, alternating touches to the left and right palms, or audio stimuli. This dual attention to the trauma and external stimuli activates both hemispheres of the brain, facilitating faster information processing and fostering new perceptions. As a result, PTSD symptoms are often significantly reduced or eliminated.
- 2. ART (Accelerated Resolution Therapy)
ART, a variation of EMDR, is a more structured form of eye movement therapy. During sessions, psychologists provide specific instructions to alleviate symptoms. This method is suitable for individuals who prefer not to openly discuss their trauma, as it does not require detailed conversations about the memories. The calming effects are achieved quickly, with positive outcomes often visible after just a few sessions.
Family members or close friends of those suffering from PTSD may also require therapy, as they are at risk of developing similar symptoms. Secondary exposure to traumatic events—learning about distressing experiences of loved ones—can also trigger PTSD-like symptoms.
Calgary is home to numerous psychological centres that have successfully treated PTSD. In addition to Flourish Psychological Services, other notable options include Supporting Wellness: Therapy & Counselling Serving Calgary.