Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), as defined in the DSM-V, is characterized by 5 symptoms. The last four must last longer than a month and cause significant distress:
- Exposure to trauma: death or threat of death or injury.
- Intrusive symptoms: memories, flashbacks, psychological distress, physical distress.
- Avoidance: trying not to think about the trauma, avoiding places that remind you of it.
- Negative alterations in thought and mood: amnesia, negative beliefs, distorted cognitions, lack of interest, detachment, estrangement from others, inability to experience positive emotions.
- Arousal: Irritability, angry outbursts, reckless behavior, hypervigilance, exaggerated startle, difficulty concentrating, insomnia.
At root, PTSD is a survival mechanism, a battlefield mentality, intended to keep us safe. It’s the body’s way of saying, “Never again will I be abused, attacked or in danger.” It becomes a problem when the alarm system goes off in the absence of real danger. It becomes a problem when individuals attempt to suppress “dangerous” thoughts and emotions. Alcohol, hypervigilance, and checking will not make one safer, but they do temporarily silence the alarm. And they all amount to experiential avoidance. An earlier article on this site, Core Beliefs and Assumptions in PTSD
Read more here:
https://beckinstitute.org/ptsd-survival-mechanism/
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Published by Dylan Kerr BA ACAT FDAP DipHE MBABCP
Mr Dylan Kerr
Addictions Counselor
Bachelors in Clinical Counseling (Hons)
Advanced Certified Addictions Therapist
Member of the British Association for Behaviour and Cognitive Psychotherapist
Member of the Federation of Drug and Alcohol Practitioners
HeDip Health-care
HeDip Psychology of Addiction
Dip Counselling
Diploma in Arts Therapy
Diploma in Transactional Analysis
CSAT III
Dylan Kerr is a Certified Substance Abuse Therapist who is qualified in Counseling, Psychology of addiction from Leeds University and Healthcare from Birmingham City University.
Dylan Kerr has been a senior Therapist at the River Rehab, Lead Therapist at Lanna Rehab in Chiang Mai and Head Counselor of Hope Rehab in Siracha. As well as working in Thailand for 7 years, Dylan has also been the on-tour counsellor for the the Rock band ‘The Libertines’. Dylan is now resident counsellor at an Asian rehab.
Dylan has experience of working within the music industry supporting acts in therapeutic needs.
As well as working around the world Dylan has over 13 years experience delivering substance use disorder treatment at various agencies around the UK. He is skilled in motivational interviewing, CBT, RET and guidance around 12 step philosophies.
Dylan has worked with a broad client base and establish the rapport needed to effect change and sustainable progression.
Dylan wishes to start this blog to help educate people on his observations within this field and debate the nature of work in the addictions field.
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