For 9.2% of adults in Canada,  the experiences of extreme or persistent traumatic events will trigger PTSD symptoms at some point. Sometimes this can occur months or even years after the initial trauma. 

PTSD, or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, is triggered after experiencing or witnessing extreme experiences like:

• Life Threatening Violence
• Combat Exposure
• Sexual Violence or Abuse
• Childhood Abuse
• Grave Accident or Injury

Not all trauma results in PTSD.  Symptoms of trauma can present differently depending on factors like intensity and duration of the trauma, the number of traumatic events people experience over time,  genetics, brain chemicals, and natural resilience, support, and coping mechanisms. 

When It’s Time to Seek Treatment for PTSD
PTSD symptoms are generally categorized in 4 ways and include:

• Intrusive Memories
• Avoidance
• Negative/Distorted changes in thinking and mood
• Changes in physical and emotional reactions

For sufferers, repeatedly reliving traumatic events can drastically impair your ability to function in day to day activities. Learn more about these symptoms and how to recognize PTSD here.

If you or a loved one is experiencing PTSD symptoms, and are finding it hard to cope, there are support and treatment options available. Getting help is a personal decision, but the earlier someone receives treatment for their symptoms, the easier those symptoms are to treat and manage. It takes time to treat the symptoms of PTSD, but gradually, therapy will help you build the support and techniques you need to help you work through your trauma. 

How Therapy Can Help

Those who suffer from trauma and PTSD may benefit from different treatment approaches.  A team member at My Winnipeg Therapist can help guide you to find therapeutic solutions that will help you gain control after a traumatic event. You and your mental health professional can discuss what type of therapy or combination of therapies will help you manage your PTSD.

Our treatment approach is based in cognitive therapy and teaching mindfulness techniques to help you cope with your trauma and learn to overcome the stress and anxiety that comes with it. 

Cognitive behaviour therapy helps you recognize thinking patterns that perpetuate negative beliefs about yourself and the fear of traumatic things happening again. Your therapist will work with you to change these patterns and manage the stress and fear associated with them

Mindfulness techniques help you stay in the present moment and break away from feeling in danger as if the past trauma is happening to you -in the present -. Over time, you will learn to train yourself -to -increase feelings of peace, safety, and calm.

Psychotherapy and any medical or alternative interventions you seek can be included with coping techniques you use independently. That can look like support groups,  education and empowerment, self-care, and following the treatment plan your therapist provides.

Take the first step
When you are ready to address the symptoms of PTSD, reaching out to a mental health professional who you can trust is the first step. Our team of specialists at My Winnipeg Therapist offers a variety of resources and services to fit your needs.  Contact us today for help with PTSD and other counselling needs.