PTSD Therapist in Boston

Trauma, as described by expert Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, is an event or series of events that overwhelms the central nervous system. People respond to traumatic events differently, and for some, the intense emotions and experience following a trauma may fade over time. Others may find themselves experiencing a prolonged period of increasing difficulty, which may interfere with daily life. This is because trauma impacts the way we process and recall memories related to the event, making it difficult for our mind and body to integrate or make sense of it. 

Abbreviated to PTSD, posttraumatic stress disorder is a diagnosis used to describe acute psychological distress following exposure to traumatic or stressful events, including actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence. This includes hearing about traumatic events that have happened to friends or family, or working in a field where you are routinely exposed to traumatic events, such as first responders. 

The PTSD diagnosis can be helpful in understanding why and how certain psychological and physiological responses are present and how to treat them; however, the criteria are also criticized for their limitations, as it doesn’t capture widely experienced types of trauma such as emotional abuse and chronic neglect.

For someone to be diagnosed with PTSD, the symptoms must be recurring for over a month while causing significant stress and problems within an individual’s everyday functioning and routine. Symptoms usually develop within the first 3 months of the trauma, but may develop later and persist for months or even years. PTSD can often be linked to other conditions, such as depression, substance abuse, and other physical and mental health problems. This condition can occur to anyone at any age. The estimated percentage of PTSD occurring within adults in the U.S is 4% and 8% for younger people aged 13-18. 

Symptoms of Intrusive Memories

• Memories of the traumatic event keep recurring over and over again, involuntarily and intrusively.

• Reliving flashbacks of the traumatic event as if it were happening again.

• Having continuous nightmares regarding the traumatic event.

• Emotional distress and physical reactions to things that are reminders of the traumatic event. 

• Efforts to avoid distressing memories, thoughts, feelings, or external reminders related to the event.

Negative Changes & Mood

• Negative thoughts about yourself or other people

• Negative emotions regarding fear, shame, guilt, and blame.

• Not being able to remember important aspects of the traumatic event.

• Detaching from friends and family.

• Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed

• Difficulty feeling positive emotions. 

• Feeling emotionally numb

Arousal Symptoms

• Easily being startled or frightened.

• Always looking out for danger.

• Self-destructive behavior

• Difficulty falling asleep

• Difficulty concentrating

• Aggressive behavior

• Sweating, rapid breathing, and fast heartbeats

PTSD Symptoms

As time goes on, PTSD symptoms vary widely in severity. There may be an increase in PTSD symptoms during stressful moments or reminders of your traumatic event. Certain moments can trigger PTSD symptoms, like familiar sounds and smells related to past trauma. Other examples are viewing news articles or reports similar to the traumatic experience. Triggers may be something that we can name and identify or that we may not be consciously aware of in the moment.

PTSD Treatment

It is important to understand that people may have symptoms of trauma without meeting all of the diagnostic criteria for PTSD. Trauma treatment can be effective and important for processing and healing from distressing experiences, regardless of diagnosis. 

Cognitive Behavior Treatment (CBT) is an evidence-based psychological treatment that has proven to be effective through scientific research for PTSD. Studies have shown that CBT is an effective treatment for conditions besides PTSD, like anxiety, chronic pain, addiction, anger problems, and more. Specialized treatments based on CBT principles, including prolonged exposure and cognitive processing therapy, can help you to gradually face memories, thoughts, and feelings that have been too difficult to approach and to work through them with the support of a professional.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is another evidence-based treatment that can be effective for healing from trauma. Initially developed for the purpose of treating PTSD, EMDR is not a talk-based therapy. This structure treatment utilizes movements or cues to stimulate both hemispheres of the brain in order to integrate and reprocess fragmented memories and traumatic experiences.

The therapists at Soultality Center for Psychotherapy in Cambridge, MA, are with you every step of the way to help you heal from trauma and PTSD through evidence-based treatment.