Post-traumatic stress disorder
What we can improve
Post-traumatic stress is a set of reactions or symptoms that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. An event is called “traumatic” when a person is confronted with death, the fear of dying or when their physical integrity or that of another person may have been threatened.
To better understand what is happening to the brain during Post Traumatic Stress, let’s take the following examples. You are walking peacefully in the forest when a bear appears in front of you. Another situation could be where you witness a terrible crime. At this point, the amygdala, which is a region in the center of the brain, will sound the alarm. It will activate and send signals to other areas of the brain to trigger a series of biological mechanisms to prepare you to face the threat. Adrenaline production will be launched, heart and respiratory rates will accelerate, pupils will expand and many more mechanisms will be activated. It is then that the body will put itself in a state of emergency and hypervigilance.
Once the threat is removed, the amygdala should “resting state” and thus remove the state of emergency in the nervous system. But when the event is too emotional or too long, the amygdala will not return completely to its original state. The emergency button will always remain on. It is then that people will feel anxiety and / or hypervigilence that is omnipresent.
During the evaluation we use quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG) to measure the client’s brain activity. The neuropsychologist will pay particular attention to the activity of the amygdala, but also to 2 other regions that play a role in post-traumatic stress, the prefrontal lobe and the hippocampus.
The prefrontal lobe is involved in judgment. It therefore plays a role in “reasoning” the individual that there is no real danger in the present moment. Then, the hippocampus (which is located in the center of the brain) will play a role in the memories and must be able to distinguish between what is happening now versus what is a result of a past memory.
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According to a study conducted by Dale Foster and presented at the ISNR annual conference in September 20131 Neurofeedback is the most effective approach to treat many persistent symptoms of those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder as well as those who suffered a cranial trauma.
Did you know that the US Army uses the same devices and software as Neuroperforma to help their soldiers suffering from concussion and post-traumatic stress?
1. LORETA Z Score Neurofeedback in the treatment of Veterans with PTSD and TBI
Thursday, September 19, 2013, 10:50 AM – 11:20 AM
Dale Foster, Memphis Integral Neurofeedback Institute
Katherine Veazey-Morris, Veterans Administration Medical Center, Memphis, TN
Le trouble du déficit de l’attention avec ou sans hyperactivité (TDA/TDAH) est une condition neurodéveloppementale complexe qui toucherait 5 à 8 % des enfants. Il peut être décrit par une panoplie de symptômes liés à des dysfonctions ou à une pauvre maturation des lobes frontaux.
Post-traumatic stress is a mental health issue that occurs when a person is exposed to various psychological stressors during a traumatic event. It can affect individuals of all ages and presents as a combination of several symptoms:
- Sleep disturbances
- Negative thoughts
- Mood swings
- Feelings of fear
- Palpitations
- Tremors
- Excessive sweating
- Recollection of certain images
- Recall of the traumatic event
- Difficulties establishing emotional connections, etc.
Certain elements can trigger post-traumatic stress disorder. The most common include natural disasters, serious accidents, war episodes, the loss of a loved one, or struggling with a life-threatening illness. Additionally, biological, hereditary, individual, or environmental factors may also contribute to the onset of post-traumatic stress disorder.
In Canada, nearly 8% of adults experience symptoms of moderate to severe post-traumatic stress. To address post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD), the government implemented the Federal Framework for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Act in June 2018. This legislation aims to improve the monitoring of individuals with this disorder, promote practices to enhance diagnosis, as well as the management of PTSD.
Diagnostic Evaluation
Approximately 5% of the Canadian adult population admits to suffering from post-traumatic stress. If you believe you are living with this situation, we recommend scheduling an appointment with your family doctor, a psychologist, or a psychiatrist. Sleep disturbances are often the main reason for consultation due to nightmares related to this condition. However, other situations could be the consequence of PTSD, such as:
- Living in distress
- Being constantly on alert
- Experiencing flashbacks of the traumatizing situation
- Avoiding triggers that may remind you of your trauma
It can be treated whether it’s children or adults affected by this condition resulting from traumatic events. Various treatments are recognized to offer excellent results and enable you to regain control of your life.
In most cases, PTSD is treated through psychotherapy. Alternatively, the use of medications such as antidepressants and anxiolytics yields excellent results. You can also combine these two treatments.
Neuroperforma offers neurofeedback to reduce the severity of symptoms and the risk of relapse. By analyzing your brain activity, we can establish links between brain functioning and the issues that bother you. We then target the brain circuits that need to be trained to decrease your symptoms and discomfort.
The most well-known treatments are cognitive-behavioral therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, or sophrology. Hypnosis also yields excellent results, mainly if the child or adult exhibits symptoms such as anxiety, nightmares, or pain. You can also opt for medication.
For post-traumatic stress disorders, several solutions exist. You can practice cognitive-behavioral therapy, EMDR and IMO (Integration of Neuro-Emotional Movements) therapy, or hypnosis. Prolonged exposure therapy (EP) is also beneficial, as is the neurofeedback we practice at Neuropharma.
Events such as a tornado, earthquake, flood, car accident, explosion, assault, rape, or war episode can trigger PTSD. Any situation that made you fear for your life or the life of someone you care about can be a triggering factor.
Elements such as a painful experience, fear sensitivity, very fragile physical or mental health, or age can increase vulnerability to PTSD.
Post-traumatic stress disorder is generally associated with other mental health disorders, such as depression or anxiety.