Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Help
The name says it all yet can’t express everything this entails. This is stress and depression that occur after a trauma. This trauma is usually something dangerous, shocking, or scary.
While it is natural for us to be afraid during and following a traumatic event, being stuck in a fight-flight-freeze state after the danger is well past can happen to some people. While most people recover from the symptoms naturally, others continue to experience problems and can feel terrified or stressed even when they are no longer still in danger.
PTSD can happen to anyone at any age from war veterans, those who have experienced physical or sexual assaults, children in abusive households, anyone in a car accident, anyone in a natural disaster, anyone in a man-made or terrorist disaster, and many other serious events. Some people may even experience PTSD symptoms after the death of a loved one, especially when it is sudden or unexpected.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, to be diagnosed by a physician or psychotherapist, adults need to exhibit all of the following for at least one month.
- 1+ re-experiencing symptom (flashbacks, bad dreams, frightening thoughts)
- 1+ avoidance symptom (staying away from objects/places/events that remind one of the experience or avoiding thoughts/feelings related to the event)
- 2+ arousal and reactivity symptoms (feeling “on-edge” or tense, being easily startled, having trouble sleeping and/or angry outbursts)
- 2+ cognition and mood symptoms (negative thoughts about self or the world, distorted feelings like guilt and blame, loss of interest in enjoyable activities, trouble remembering key details of traumatic event)
It is important to remember, PTSD is not only in your head. Studies have shown our tissues can remember and store traumas. So working on the body and the energy field surrounding the body are vital to help in recovering.
Why do some people get PTSD?
There are many reasons why one person may be more susceptible to getting stuck in a fear state from a traumatic event that someone else may not have the same reaction to. Some common reasons, from a naturopathic perspective, include:
- Food allergies or sensitivities
- Blood sugar imbalances
- Neurotransmitter insufficiencies
- Deficiencies in essential fatty acids (especially Omega-3)
- Deficiencies in vitamins or minerals (especially magnesium, zinc, and B vitamins)
- Deficiencies in amino acids
At Health Harmonized, we can help determine if one of the above or something else may be a root cause of your PTSD. Consider scheduling an appointment today.
Common Symptoms of PTSD
In adults, teens, and older children:
- Behavior changes (including irritability, hostility, hypervigilance, depression, and agitation)
- Isolation
- Self-Destructive Behaviors
- Flashbacks
- Anxiety
- Mistrust
- Loss of interest or pleasure
- Loneliness
- Guilt
- Insomnia
- Nightmares
- Excessive mental chatter
- Emotionally detatched
In children under 6
- Bedwetting (after being toilet trained)
- Acting out trauma during play
- Forgetting how to or being unable to talk
- Being extra clingy
Natural Ideas
Foods
- Spirulina
- Berries
- Fatty Fish (smaller fish are better)
- Broccoli
- Grapes
- Green Tea
- Cherries
- 2+ tbsp Healthy Fats daily (avocados, organic butter, coconut oil, olive oil, etc) probiotics, adequate pure water (1/2 your body weight in ounces a day (100lbs = 50oz))
- AVOIDS: alcohol, allergenic foods, baker’s and brewer’s yeast, caffeine, herring, meat tenderizers, soy sauce, yeast extracts, MSG, wheat, dairy, non-organic foods, gluten, tobacco, hydrogenated oils, food additives, fake sugars (especially aspartame), chocolate, coffee, fried foods, refined foods, table salt, sugars, tobacco, processed/canned/frozen foods.
Nutrients
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- Zinc
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin B complex
Natural Therapies
- N. O. T. (neural organization technique)
- Emotional Release
- Bodywork or Massage
- Craniosacral Therapy
- Reflexology
- Energy Work
- Light Healing Touch
- Reiki
- Magnets & Polarity Therapy
- Sound and Color Therapy
- Counseling
Other Help
- Feng Shui: eliminate any all white walls and monochromatic schemes in general; clear away clutter; check for high EMFs
- Lifestyle additions: mindfulness practices, soothing music, Epsom salt and sea salt baths and foot soaks, “Hunza squat” to recharge the adrenals which become exhausted from being in a chronic fight-flight-freeze state
- Essential oils: Lavender, Orange, Lemon
- Cell salts: Kali Phos
As if going through the trauma once weren’t enough, being stuck in a fight-flight-freeze stage for months or years is an awful way to live. Don’t suffer alone, let us help you heal yourself.
Please don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment if you need further assistance.
Also, let me know if you have any requests for natural suggestions for other conditions!
Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter for more PTSD help and other information.
Note: Everything here is for information only. This is not meant to treat or diagnose any medical condition. Seek a qualified medical professional.