Help with traumatic experiences

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

The media confront us daily with images of war, terrorism, (natural) disasters, accidents, street violence and domestic violence. Trauma can happen to anyone, but it is more likely to happen to certain professional groups such as police officers, military personnel, ambulance personnel and disaster rescue workers. One of the possible consequences of such shocking and often life-threatening experiences is the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This disorder is characterized by a general dysregulation of the fear or stress system (including stress sensitization, enhanced conditioning and impaired extinction) and cognitive and social dysfunctions.

Symptoms of trauma

PTSD is characterized by a complex of symptoms that can be categorized into far clusters:

• Re-experiencing (e.g., intrusive thoughts, nightmares and flashbacks)
• Avoidance (for example, unwillingness to talk about the trauma, not wanting to return to the place/situation where it happened and flattened feelings)
• Negative changes in cognitions and mood (for example, beliefs such as "you can't trust anyone anymore," feelings of detachment or not being able to experience positive feelings anymore)
• Increased irritability (sleep problems, anger and exaggerated startle reactions).

Contact me for trauma processing

If you are struggling with the consequences of a traumatic experience and would like to do something about it, I ask you to contact me without obligation. Together we will work on (regaining) your well-being.