Dealing with trauma or PTSD. Overcoming trauma through debrief or counselling?

The material on these pages is intended as information only,

and not as medical advice.

The aftermath of trauma

Overcoming trauma through counselling?

Your memories don't have to be your taskmasters

Traumatic memories can be treated, often in just a couple of sessions by a Human Givens therapist - even if the events happened years ago - using a safe, non-intrusive and reliable technique (Visual Kinaesthetic Dissociation or 'Rewind' technique), which does not necessarily require you to tell the counsellor in detail what has happened if that is not what you want. Trauma counselling can help you to move on with your life.

Debrief or (trauma) counselling?

Most of the time trauma counselling or psychotherapy is not needed. As human beings we have the capacity to cope with all kinds of traumatic events and move on, or at least we can adapt to incorporate or manage the changes that have taken place, be they external - in our environment, or internal - 'inside our head'. With the support of people around us (they may not necessarily be those we expected to get most help from) and the passing of time, we can come to terms with quite a lot of trauma without the need for dubious debriefing sessions, or for trauma counselling.

The aftermath - when is trauma counselling indicated?

On one end of the scale, even after time has passed following the trauma, you may be left with severe and frightening symptoms. 'Trying to forget' and 'pulling yourself together' just doesn't work - you don't seem to be able to get on top of the physiological and psychological fall-out, and increasingly find yourself isolated. Trauma counselling may be helpful.

'Survivors guilt' often results if you have been able to 'get out', whilst someone else has become injured or has died. Ask yourself: were you responsible for the event? If you are plagued by feelings of guilt, trauma counselling can be helpful. (See margin)

On the other end of the scale, you may be able to see some positive aspects to the aftermath of a traumatic event - perhaps you can appreciate your personal relationships more, or you have found a new zest for life.

Traumatic memories come in all shapes and sizes

The degree to which we can change or adapt is dependent on several factors, including the kind of event(s), the severity and our psychological make-up. It may be easier to come to terms with an environmental disaster than with violent attack. Whatever your trauma, however short, serious or however long ago, whether you were involved in a road traffic accident or other accident, were abused, spent time fighting a war or suffered as a result of a terrorist attack, if you feel that you have not been able to leave it behind, a Human Givens Therapist has the skills to help you deal with it in the quickest way possible.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Here are just some of the symptoms:

¨ intrusive distressing recollections of the traumatic event
¨ nightmares
¨ flashbacks
¨ intense distress when confronted with reminders
¨ stress, anxiety, panic
¨ efforts to avoid anything associated with the event
¨ inability to recall a significant aspect of the trauma
¨ feeling detached from others
¨ sense of numbness
¨ little interest in the things you used to enjoy

These symptoms, apart from ongoing panic, are very normal immediately after a traumatic event; check also on the page on stress and anxiety for symptoms. All of these should subside gradually over the weeks following the event with you just needing the support of your friends and family and familiar surroundings.

Trauma counselling

may be useful if, about a month following the traumatic event, several of the following apply:

¨ you

¨ were already going through a stressful time in your life

¨ have been through traumatic events before

¨ felt your life was in danger

¨ wish you had done more or acted differently

¨ were involved in an event where someone died/was badly injured, particularly someone you knew well

¨ continue to feel very angry

¨ avoid thinking/talking about it

¨ have little support, feel isolated

¨ increasingly resort to alcohol/smoking taking drugs to cope

¨ feel you just cannot get on with your life

Follow also the links on the Royal Navy and Royal Marine Family Support website.

You may not necessarily suffer from PTSD, but you may still, after time has passed, be affected by whatever has happened to you, in which case the help of a Human Givens Therapist can still be invaluable. The Human Givens approach includes helping someone meet their essential emotional needs, making the most of their natural resources, and hypnotherapy, including the 'rewind' technique if appropriate.

Not suffering from full-blown PTSD, but not recovering?

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