According to the Survey on Mental Health and Stressful Events, 8% of adults in Canada meet the criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). But what is PTSD? PTSD is a mental health disorder that can make it difficult to maintain a career or relationship. If your child has PTSD, turn to Venture Academy for behavioural treatment in Canada by calling 866.762.2211 or connecting online.
What Is PTSD?
PTSD is a mental health condition that can begin after witnessing or experiencing a traumatic event.
The symptoms of PTSD can start immediately after the event, or they can begin years after. The symptoms can cause significant issues throughout everyday life.
Symptoms are generally grouped into four distinct types: intrusive memories, avoidance, negative thoughts and moods, and negative changes to physical and emotional reactions.
The most common symptoms in the intrusive memories group are:
- Distressing and unwanted memories of the event
- Severe physical or emotional reaction to something that brings to mind the event
- Dreams or nightmares of the event
- Flashbacks
Common symptoms of avoidance include:
- Avoiding people, places, or things that recall the event
- Not talking about the event
Symptoms in the negative thoughts and moods group include:
- Memory problems
- Emotional numbness
- Hopelessness
- Negative self-talk
- Inability to feel positive emotions
- Difficulty maintaining relationships
- Feeling detached
- Lack of interest in favourite activities
The most commonly experienced changes to physical and emotional reactions that PTSD can cause are:
- Self-destructive behaviour
- Trouble sleeping
- Concentration problems
- Irritability
- Angry outbursts
- Guilt or shame
- Being easily frightened
The symptoms can vary in intensity over time. Your child can experience worsening ones when they are stressed or when they are reminded of the traumatic event.
If your child struggles with this mental health condition, the best option is to turn to PTSD treatment. But what is PTSD treatment?
What Is PTSD Treatment?
A PTSD treatment program involves psychotherapy, sometimes called talk therapy. The two most successful types of talk therapy that can offer results for PTSD are exposure therapy and cognitive restructuring. Both of these fall under the umbrella of cognitive-behavioural therapy.
Exposure therapy allows your child to manage their fear by slowly exposing them to it while feeling in control and safe. Exposure therapy can involve writing about the traumatic event or visiting the place where it occurred, among other options.
By showing your child how to manage the symptoms that begin when faced with reminders of the traumatic event, they can slowly learn how to process their emotional and physical reactions.
Cognitive restructuring can help people understand the traumatic event. It is not uncommon to misremember how the event occurred, which can lead to guilt or shame about something that did not happen in the way it is remembered. With cognitive restructuring, your child can learn how to think about the event in a more realistic way.
A PTSD treatment program can involve individual therapy sessions as well as group therapy sessions to allow your child to meet others who face similar challenges. It can allow them to understand that they are not alone in their struggles.
Family therapy is another important component of PTSD treatment programs, providing the chance for you and your child to relearn how to speak with one another effectively.
Venture Academy’s PTSD Treatment Program Can Help
At Venture Academy, your child can get the PTSD treatment they need. With experts ready to provide an assessment of the condition and offer individualised treatment options, your child can receive the necessary care to break away from the negative behaviours that impact their life.
Don’t wait any longer to get help for your child. Call Venture Academy today at 866.762.2211 or reach out to us online.