What exactly is trauma?

The word trauma is actually the Greek word for physical injuries, which we still use for what they call blunt force trauma (heavy blows) to the head or body.

However, nowadays trauma is the term also used to describe emotional wounds and unpleasant experiences, which remain long after physical injuries have healed.

Research has shown that psychological reaction to emotional trauma often results in post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, which can lead to long-term negative, psychological consequences.

Trauma can also be identified as the emotional response to a devastating happening like an accident, a violent robbery, or the death of a loved one. In fact, it can be associated with any event that results in severe stress which leaves the person struggling to cope with the circumstances.

Symptoms of a accident which arise from a traumatic event.

·      Over-reacting to some fearful situations with little or no control over emotions.

·      Reliving an upsetting or painful scene in your mind, (known as sudden flashbacks) which often leads to a fresh trauma experience.

·      Anxiety disorders such as unexplained physical pain, depression, stress, and most of all, frightening panic attacks which happen out of the blue.

·      Nightmares, bad dreams, and other sleep disorders play a part.

·      Mood fluctuations including temper tantrums, and fits of rage.

·      Inability to relax mind or body.

·      Concentration and memory problems.

·      Possible physical issues like headaches and nausea.

None of these symptoms should be taken lightly, as PTSD can prevent you moving forward with life, and potentially lead to a complete emotional breakdown.

Hypnotherapy can help deal with PTSD.

In most cases, the medical treatment for trauma and PTSD consists of medications which deal mainly with the symptoms. Undoubtedly, meds can make you feel better for a while, but the core issues of the problems remain essentially untouched. Unless you continue with medications, some of the symptoms may come back in a rush.

Fortunately, thanks to intensive research, hypnotherapy has emerged as a credible, evidence-based treatment for sufferers of trauma and PTSD, which gets to the root of the problem.

Although hypnotherapy treatments have long been in existence, it is not something which most people associate with medical treatment. Today, hypnotherapy is a clinical practice that works on the subconscious level to promote psychological and emotional healing.

 How hypnotherapy for PTSD works.

Hypnotherapy is mainly a method for accessing and treating the subconscious mind by healing bad memories, or unlocking and healing traumatic feelings buried deep down. Once a successful diagnosis of key issues is achieved, innovative treatment to suit each individual’s needs is planned, and is carefully and compassionately carried out by the therapist.

The benefits of hypnotherapy.

·      Hypnotherapy can be used to enable the patient to visualize a happy, healthier future, and have confidence in a healing process generated in his or her own mind.

·      Studies have revealed that it is a long-lasting treatment and can remove trauma fears from the subconscious and conscious mind.

·      The therapist may first try to dispel negative emotions relating to the traumatic events which led to PTSD.

·      The triggers which cause anxiety and panic attacks will be identified, and the patient be guided to gradually reduce the unwanted reactions to the triggers.

·      Although experienced hypnotherapists work to their own specific methods, in most cases in a hypnotherapy session, a patient is given tools, resources and opportunities to take back a personal sense of control.

·      Hypnotherapy cannot erase traumatic events from the mind, but it can address the responses, help the patient to see things in perspective, and release any negative beliefs and conclusions that are buried in the subconscious.

·      The science of hypnotherapy in the hands of a competent, experienced therapist, can go even deeper into the patient’s memories to establish if other previous events are also contributing to PTSD issues.

 

Conclusion.

Hypnotherapy is recommended as a powerful treatment for PTSD because it deals with the issue at the root cause. In addition it identifies the triggers which set off panic attacks, and helps the patient learn to recognise and avoid circumstances where triggers may exist.

The main goal of hypnotherapy for trauma is to enable the patient to move forward confidently with life, without being controlled by irrational fears.