Trauma and PTSD

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What is trauma and PTSD?

Trauma is what happens when you go through something extremely frightening, shocking, upsetting or overwhelming. Your mind and body may struggle to cope with what is happening at the time. It could be a single event like an accident, or something that happens over a long period of time, like abuse or constant stress. Even after the situation is over, the experience can stay with you and affect how you feel, think, and react. Trauma is a natural response to something that was too much for your body and mind to handle at the time, and often the symptoms fade and eventually disappear. However sometimes the symptoms can persist and cause significant disruption in your daily life and functioning. 

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is when the effects of that trauma don’t fade and continue to interfere with your life long after the event or events happened. It’s like your brain gets stuck in “danger mode,” even when you are safe. When you have PTSD you may relive what happened to you through memories or nightmares, you can feel constantly on edge and could avoid anything that reminds you of what happened. You may feel numb and disconnected from others around you.

Complex PTSD (CPTSD) a mental health condition arising from chronic, long-term, or repeated trauma. It also affects the brain and body’s response to overwhelming experiences, but the type, duration, and context of complex trauma create different patterns of symptoms and healing needs. It may include some of the common PTSD symptoms, but also can also create challenges with emotional regulation, a negative sense of self, and intense relationship difficulties. 

Acute trauma symptoms often improve on their own within a few days or weeks. However, if it persists it might be time to seek support from a trauma psychologist. We’re here to help, please contact us to find out more about PTSD therapy in Melbourne. We offer face-to-face as well as telehealth psychologists.

Signs and symptoms of trauma, PTSD and CPTSD

Below are some common symptoms of trauma, PTSD and CPTSD. The Blue Knot Foundation is an organisation that works to support victim/survivours of complex trauma. They have a free helpline and offer support groups and resoruces. If you feel like you need to speak to a psychologist, please get in touch with us to chat more about finding the right trauma psychologist in Melbourne for you. There is a good evidence-base for treatments for trauma, and some of these therapies include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialetical Behaviour Therapy or Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.

Symptoms of PTSD

  • Feeling scared, shocked, or overwhelmed long after the event
  • Trouble sleeping or having nightmares
  • Feeling jumpy or easily startled
  • Feeling numb, disconnected, or “not yourself”
  • Avoiding people, places, or things that remind you of what happened
  • Avoiding talking or thinking about what happened
  • Having strong emotions like fear, anger, guilt, or sadness that feel hard to control
  • Experiencing flashbacks and feeling like it’s happening again
  • Feeling negative about yourself or the world
  • Feeling guilty, ashamed, or hopeless
  • Being easily startled or constantly alert

Physical symptoms of PTSD

  • Shaking or trembling
  • Sweating, especially when reminded of the event
  • Nausea or an upset stomach
  • Fast heartbeat or pounding heart
  • Rapid breathing or feeling short of breath
  • Trouble sleeping or waking up a lot at night
  • Feeling tense or “on edge” all the time
  • Headaches
  • Feeling tired or worn out
  • Muscle tightness, especially in the shoulders, neck, or back

Additional symptoms of CPTSD

  • Problems with emotion regulation. For example, having difficulty managing your emotions, or feeling like your emotions go from 0-100
  • Problems with self-image. For example, feeling different from others, having a negative view of yourself, or struggling to understand why people like you
  • Interpersonal problems. For example, struggling to make and maintain relationships with other, or trouble trusting others

So, what can I do?

Our psychologists are able to offer PTSD therapy and a range of evidence-based treatment for trauma and CPTSD. There are a range of treatments available, and the one that might work best for you will depend on exactly what’s happening for you, and what your symptoms are. Some common treatment options for CPTSD include Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Mentalisation-Based Therapy or Schema Therapy. Our psychologists are here to help, please contact us to find out more about our counselling in Footscray.

Medicare rebates are available, and we offer telehealth appointments. We also have Workcover psychologists, TAC psychologists and offer telehealth psychologists.

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Psychology FAQs

Have a question? Take a look below… these are some of the common questions we get.

No referral is needed to book a session, but if you have a Mental Health Care Plan from your GP, you might be eligible for Medicare rebates.

Yep, life happens! Just give us at least 48 hours’ notice so we can offer that spot to someone else. Cancellations within 48 hours will incur a fee.

We don’t usually offer instalment plans, but if money’s tight, chat with us privately – we’re happy to see how we can find a solution.

The Medicare rebates are listed above, but if you on WorkCover, TAC or VOCAT the gap fees tend to be lower. With private insurance, we find they tend to be on-par with Medicare rebates. We can help you understand what’s covered and what your gap fee will be – just ask us when booking.

No worries! You can book on their behalf, just make sure you have their consent and relevant details to help our intake process.

Ready to talk?

Please get in touch today to have a chat to our friendly team so we can match you with an appropriate psychologist. If you are an existing client, you can book online.

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