There are various events which can occur to create an experience of Post Traumatic Stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD can occur after a person is exposed to events including actual or threatened death, serious physical or emotional injury or sexual violation. Traumatic events include war (physical, chemical, biological or psychological), serious accidents, assault (physical, emotional, sexual, mugging or robbery) or witnessing something terrible. These experiences can be the catalyst for a person to retreat from life and self isolate.
PTSD may also occur when there hasn’t been enough time for recovery from a dis-stressful situation before another and another occurs and this compounding effect can create PTSD. With or without a diagnosis, the signs and symptoms of PTSD include:
- flashbacks, recurrent feelings of terror, feeling unsafe, irritability, outbursts of anger, difficulty concentrating, frightening dreams of relived memories of a previous traumatic event such as war, torture, a serious accident, natural disaster or violence (domestic or otherwise) and avoidance of any situation that may be perceived with the trauma.
It is important that a person is consistently safe (physically and emotionally) before being able to work through the process of recovering from PTSD. Until a person is feeling this consistent safety some symptoms such as flashbacks may not occur as the environment to deal to heal is not conducive to recovery and the person will remain in survival mode until their environmental conditions change.
Dreams and flashbacks can be the brains’ way of processing this information through the recovery process. The trick is to allow the visions to keep on going out of the mind’s eye and not holding onto them! Easier said than done however, with support, practice and ongoing participation in your recovery this strategy further develops your resilience and healing.
In your recovery plan regular Reflexology sessions at Heel to Heal can be incorporated as the safety of the environment at Heel to Heal offers the opportunity to relax and let go as you are ready. You may find that during your first treatment you are talking throughout the session, this is the often your body dealing with the events and an important part of your healing. Talking may take your attention away from other benefits of your treatment, however, rest assured that the treatment is supporting the trauma leaving the body. Throughout future treatments you may cry, again this is your body’s way of expelling the trauma from your body. Eventually, you will relax and quietly feel and be aware of the soothing of the treatment as it nourishes your body and soul.
Depending on your individual situation will alter whether regular is bi monthly, monthly, fortnightly or weekly. Regardless, to maintain your progress, it is important to commit to your sessions and continue on your path back to yourself.
I look forward to seeing you at your next session.
Many Blessings
References
Secret Squirrel Business, A Guide to Mental Health Recovery, Jenny Middlemiss, Ruah Community Services 2012
Mental Health First Aid Manual, 3rd Edition, Betty Kitchener, Anthony Jorm and Claire Kelly, Mental Health First Aid Australia 2013