Trauma and-or Stress Related Disorders
Most trauma and-or stress related disorders are grouped as:
Acute Stress Disorder
Acute Stress disorder is usually developed in response to acute traumatic stressors such as witnessing death and experiencing life threatening situations. The individual develops severe anxiety, dissociation, insomnia, and avoidance of specific situations. Once the symptoms persist more than 3 months then the diagnosis of PTSD may be more appropriate. A psychologist will be able to help you with diagnosis and treatment.
Adjustment Disorder
An adjustment disorder is developed in response to an identifiable stressor (or stressors) occurring within 3 months (and should not last longer than 6 months) of the onset of the stressor. A stressor can be any situation or event positive (wedding, changing jobs) or negative (loss of a loved one) that causes a great deal of stress in the person’s life. The symptoms are an anxious or depressed mood, increased crying and an overall difficulty adapting to the new life and responsibilities.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Also called PTSD, is usually followed by a life threatening experience or being a witness to such experience happening to others. In PTSD an individual is traumatized at such a point that his/her sense of safety is completely shattered, thus resulting in hypervigilance, lack of ability to relax, and insomnia. Nightmares and flashbacks are common in PTSD.
While CBT is widely used in the treatment of PTSD, at Clinic Dr.Bita, therapists also use sensorimotor psychotherapy and mindfulness to help the individual regain sense of safety, reestablish new boundaries (to feel safe), as well to better manage anxiety.
