Trauma can have a strong and long-lasting impact on an individual, and although we as humans have an amazing capacity for recovery, some difficult events can leave deep traces. These can be personal, such as abuse or the loss of a loved one, or major events such as war, natural disasters or terrorist attacks. After a difficult experience, it is common to have stress reactions, but for most people these symptoms disappear over time. For some individuals, however, the reactions can persist and lead to difficulties in everyday life. The concept trauma comes from the Greek and means injury or wound, and psychological trauma involves the long-lasting mental and physical reactions that can remain long after the traumatic event.

What is experienced as traumatic is individual, and what affects one person can be completely different from what affects someone else. It can involve experiences such as war, flight, terror, accidents, miscarriage, violence or the loss of a close relative. Most people who experience traumatic events do not develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and many can continue to live their lives despite the difficult memories.

For individuals suffering from PTSD, symptoms can be divided into three main categories:

Re-experiencing trauma: Memories, nightmares, and “flashbacks” in which the person feels like they are reliving the trauma. These memories can be triggered by situations that are reminiscent of the original event.
Avoidance: People with PTSD tend to avoid situations, places, or people that remind them of the trauma. This may also include using alcohol or drugs to dull the unpleasant feelings.
Physical symptoms: This can include sleep problems, increased irritability, tension, and difficulty concentrating.

An effective treatment method for PTSD is trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which is evidence-based and recommended as the first choice of treatment. This therapy involves gradually approaching difficult memories in a controlled and safe manner. This may involve, for example, revisiting places associated with the traumatic experiences. The length of treatment varies depending on the individual's experiences and needs, but for people who have experienced a single traumatic event, 12–20 sessions can often be sufficient.

CBT for PTSD involves three main steps:

Emotional management: Learning techniques for managing tension and emotions related to traumatic memories, for example through relaxation exercises.
Gradual confrontation: Patients are encouraged to retell their story and process their memories. The more this is done, the less upsetting the memories tend to become, leading to a sense of peace.
Change of mind: The patient learns to identify and change negative thought patterns and manage problems that may arise in everyday life.

At Skepsis reception you can get:

Drug treatment and follow-up
Psychoeducation and CBT for individuals

PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder)