Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a condition in which a person after a Traumatic experience, feel frightened, sad, anxious, and disconnected.
• A Traumatic experience is any event in life that causes a threat to our safety and potentially places our own life (or the lives of others) at risk, resulting in a person experiencing high levels of emotional, psychological, and physical distress that temporarily disrupts their ability to function normally in day-to-day life.
Common Ways in which People React to Trauma
The way a person reacts to Trauma depends on many things, such as:
• The type and severity of the Traumatic event.
• The amount of available support for the person following the incident, other stressors currently being experienced in the person’s life.
• The existence of certain personality traits, natural levels of resilience.
• Whether the person has had any Traumatic experiences before.
They include a range of (these reactions are normal and, in most cases, they subside as a part of the body’s natural healing and recovery process):
• Reduced concentration and memory
• Intrusive thoughts about the event
• Repeatedly playing parts of the event over in the mind
• Confusion or disorientation
• Fear, Anxiety and panic
• Shock – difficulty believing in what has happened, feeling detached and confused
• Feeling numb
• Introvertiveness (Not wanting to connect with others or becoming withdrawn from those around you)
• Continuing alarm (feeling like the danger is still there or the event is continuing)
• Let-down and exhaustion (Depression, avoidance, guilt, over-sensitivity, and withdrawal) may become obvious after the crisis is over.
• Avoiding reminders of the event
• Inability to stop focusing on what occurred
• Getting immersed in recovery-related tasks
• Losing touch with normal daily routines
• Changed appetite, such as eating a lot more or a lot less
• Turning to substances such as Alcohol, cigarettes and Coffee
• Sleeping problems
Some Examples of Potentially Traumatic Experiences
• Natural disasters (such as a bushFire or flood)
• Being a victim of (or witness to) a crime, act of violence or armed robbery
• Being involved in (or witnessing) a serious car or transport accident
• Being in an airplane that is forced to make an emergency landing
• Being physically assaulted
• Being exposed to images, news reports or social media posts of these types of events
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Risk Factors
• Extreme and prolonged threat (such as rape, assault, and torture), the greater the risk of developing PTSD in response.
• Traumatic event’s unexpected, uncontrollable, and inescapable extent
• Early life Traumatic experiences
• Family history of PTSD
• History of physical or sexual abuse
• History of substance abuse
• History of Depression, Anxiety, or another mental illness
Symptoms for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in Children
• Fear of being separated from their parent
• Losing previously-acquired skills (such as toilet training)
• Sleep problems and nightmares
• Somber, compulsive play in which themes or aspects of the Trauma are repeated
• New phobias and anxieties that seem unrelated to the Trauma (such as fear of monsters)
• Acting out the Trauma through play, stories, or drawings
• Aches and pains with no apparent cause
• Irritability and aggression
Note:
* Children & Young People can react to Trauma very differently to adults, and often in surprising ways.
Examples of Common Reactions to Trauma are:
• Hyperarousal (feeling of a high alertness or being on watch for anything else that might happen causing sleep problems, irritability, hypervigilance)
• A state of shock (feeling emotionally numb)
• Becoming emotional and upset
• Feeling extremely fatigued and tired
• Feeling very Stressed and/or anxious
• Being very protective of others including family and friends
• Not wanting to leave a particular place for fear of what might happen
Helping to Resolve Traumatic Reactions
• Recognizing the distressing or frightening experience.
Thinking About & Making Sense of the Traumatic Event
• How and why it happened
• How and why you were involved
• Why you feel the way you do
• Whether feelings you now have reflect on what kind of person you are
• Whether the experience has changed your view on life, and how.
• Accepting the abnormality for a period of time.
• Reminding self daily that you are managing (lowering anger or frustration with self if you are not able to efficiently normalize).
• Don’t overuse Alcohol (or drugs) to help you cope.
• Avoid making major decisions (or big life changes) until you feel better.
• Gradually confront what has happened (don’t try to block it out).
• Join a PTSD support group – Talk to someone who can support and understand you (Don’t bottle up your feelings).
• Try to keep normalized routine and stay busy.
• Don’t let the Trauma confine your life such as avoiding certain places or activities.
• Rest or relax when you feel exhausted.
• Pursue outdoor activities – Make time for regular exercise (it helps cleanse the body and mind of tension).
• Work with family and friends to help you cope (such as time out or someone to talk to).
• Practice relaxation techniques – Use relaxation techniques (such as yoga, breathing or meditation) or do things you enjoy (such as listening to music or gardening).
• Confide in a person you trust and Express your feelings as they arise.
• Try to confront memories or feelings that the Trauma brings up.
• Spend time with positive people
• Avoid Alcohol and drugs
• Enjoy the peace of nature
• Volunteering (Reach out to others for support)
When to Seek Health Professional help after a Traumatic Event
• Inability to handle the intense feelings or physical sensations
• Continued feeling of numbness and emptiness
• feel that you are not beginning to return to normal after 3-4 weeks
• Continued physical Stress symptoms
• Continued disturbed sleep or nightmares
• Deliberately trying to avoid anything that reminds you of the Traumatic experience
• Have no one to share your feelings with
• Family and friends are also suffering
• Becoming accident-prone and using more Alcohol or drugs
• Cannot manage responsibilities (or return to work)
• Keep relieving the Traumatic experience
• Feeling very much on edge (or being easily startled)
Treatments for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in Children
• Psychotherapy (or talk therapy for the child)
• Psychotherapy for the family
• A combination of therapy and medication
• Trauma Systems Therapy (TST) treatment – It recognizes that a child’s Traumatic Stress is often down to two (2) factors (inability to control emotional or behavioral state and lack of sufficient support from surrounding environment to assist in regulating feelings).
• Medication (herbal and clinical)
Food Remedies for Physical Trauma
Herbal Remedies for Physical Trauma
• Physical Trauma is a serious physical injury that may cause lasting damge.
• Arnica – Arnica is one of the most trusted remedies for rheumatism, sore muscles, Bruises, Strains or any case of pain and inflammation. It is often used topically as a cream (or salve).
• Calendula – Its able to decrease cramping by improving blood flow to the painful area and lowering inflammatory responses.
• Passionflower – Passionflower has Anti-Spasmodic and tranquilizing properties, which are the key to its usefulness in treating conditions (such as Asthma, Palpitations, High Blood Pressure and Muscle Cramps).
• Skullcap – Skullcap possesses certain analgesic properties, hence it can help to relieve pain throughout the body (partially through a reduction in inflammation).
• Valerian Root – Valerian root contain the volatile oil that helps to reduce muscle pain and keep muscles relaxed (reduce the tension), helps to relax the leg muscles (treat restless leg syndrome) and also effective in curing Sciatica pain related to a muscle spasm.
• White Willow – White Willow Salicylate Glycosides content (active compounds and mother nature’s aspirin with less side-effects) is good against pain, Fever, and inflammation as it work as an effective Anti-Inflammatory by interfering with pain transmission in the Nervous System and treating the cause of inflammation.
• Yarrow – Yarrow tea is drunk as hot as possible and in large amounts for Colds, back or rheumatic pain, while its baths is soothing (but it has to be picked in the midday sun) and often relieve the Neuritis pain (in arms and legs, foot and arm) after the First use. Its aerial parts contain Flavonoids which are thought to give its Anti-Spasmodic properties.
Food Remedies for Tension
• Tension is holding mental or physical strain within the body.
• Hops – Hops (blended with other herbs) are good for Stress, Anxiety, tension, and Headaches, where Depression is not a factor.
• Mucuna – Mucuna is beneficial to brain health, as its primary compound L-dopa is a precursor to dopamine, Adrenaline and norAdrenaline, thus the rise of dopamine levels have a positive effect on motivation, attention span, the ability to relax and general mental well-being.
• Schizandra – It actually influence electrical discharges in the brain and has a powerful Anti-Anxiety property, in addition to its ability to boost ones mood through lowering Stress levels and enhancing mental performance.
Herbal Remedies for Tension
• Tension is holding mental or physical strain within the body.
Lemon Balm
Blue Lily
California Poppy
Catnip
German Chamomile
Damiana
Gotu Kola
Tulsi
Kanna
Lemon Myrtle
Mugwort
Mulungu
Passionflower
Reishi
Siberian Ginseng
Skullcap
Valerian Root
Brahmi
• Lemon Balm – Taken internally, Balm Mint enhances mood and/or cognitive performance in a study involving young adults, as well as improves Hyperactivity, concentration problems and impulsiveness in elementary school children.
• Blue Lily – Blue Lily is revered for its immense nootropic benefits on physical and mental health.
• California Poppy – It has gently Anti-Spasmodic, Sedative and analgesic effects making it a valuable herbal medicine for treating physical and psychological problems in children.
• Catnip – Drinking Catnip tea can help relieve tension Headaches and bring about relaxation (reduce Anxiety and Stress).
• German Chamomile – Its tea is beneficial for Insomnia, thus used today as a traditional remedy for sleeplessness and Anxiety.
• Damiana – Damiana is thymoleptic (having a stimulating action on the body and mind) and restorative to the Nervous System.
• Gotu Kola – Its used as a prophylactic for senile Dementia, rehabilitation after Traumatic brain injuries, neuro-emotional disorders, with Hypertension, Lymphocytosis, calf seizures, and leg fatigue.
• Tulsi – Holy Basil possesses Adaptogenic and Anti-Stress effects (a natural substance that helps body adapt to Stress and promotes mental balance), thus helpful in maintaining normal levels of Stress Hormone (cortisol) in the body and enhances physical performance.
• Kanna – Kanna is simply a profound relaxer of body and mind, aside from increasing melatonin levels as a consequence of enhanced serotonin function, hence this state of psycho-physical relaxation greatly ensure a deeper sleep (supports falling asleep and remaining asleep).
• Lemon Myrtle – It can help in providing Headaches relief, through its soothing aroma. You can inhale Steam by adding Lemon Myrtle for a Headaches remedy or massaging temples with Lemon Myrtle Essential Oil.
• Mugwort – Its effective for those suffering from hysteric attack (or epileptic attack) based on its role of calming down the Nervous System.
• Mulungu – It’s also beneficial for mental disturbances (such as Depression, Anxiety and Stress, hysteria, agitation, panic, compulsion, Trauma and shock).
• Passionflower – Its tranquilizing effects is valuable to reduce Anxiety, tension, irritability, and Insomnia. It is as effective in relieving Anxiety as oxazepam (a conventional tranquilizer).
• Reishi – Reishi Mushroom is a natural stress-buster for people under extreme physical or emotional Stress.
• Siberian Ginseng – Its taken to improve mental resilience (such as in preparation for tests) and to reduce the impact of physical training and Stress on the body.
• Skullcap – Skullcap tea helps to soothe the Nervous System and prevent seizure episodes (reduce seizure frequency and severity).
• Valerian Root – It can be used as a safer alternative to benzodiazepines, assisting with treatment of Stress, tension, Anxiety, and Insomnia.
• Brahmi – Its balances the level of cortisol (the potentially damaging Stress Hormone) and supports healthy Adrenal function, just like all Adaptogenic herbs.
Food Remedies for Emotional Trauma
• Emotional Trauma is mental damage from a distressing event that caused an overwhelming amount of Stress and negative emotions for a person.
• Hops – Hops it modulates the GABA receptors in the brain. Its a great alleviator of nervous tension and indeed an all round Nervine tonic, Hops eases Stress and tension.
• Mucuna – Mucuna is a master Adaptogen. Adoptogenic herbs contain a unique set of phytonutrients that feed the Adrenals, balance Hormones and significantly reduce Stress levels by lowering cortisol.
• Muira Puama – Muira Puama is employed as a central Nervous System tonic (it fortifies and stimulates the Nervous System), making it helpful for nervous disorders (such as Depression, Stress, exhaustion, Neuralgia and Trauma).
• Schizandra – Schisandra has Adaptogenic qualities (as an Adaptogenic tonic), thus can reduce both mental and physical Stress, fights the Adrenal fatigue that is linked to Stress, and exert a normalising effect on the whole body.
Herbal Remedies for Emotional Trauma
• Emotional Trauma is mental damage from a distressing event that caused an overwhelming amount of Stress and negative emotions for a person.
Ashwagandha
Lemon Balm
California Poppy
Catnip
German Chamomile
Damiana
Gotu Kola
Kanna
Mulungu
Passionflower
Reishi
Rhodiola
Siberian Ginseng
Skullcap
Valerian Root
• Ashwagandha – It contain withanolides (compounds similar to the body’s own Steroid Hormones) helps to lower Stress levels, increases sense of well-being, lower cortisol and blood pressure levels.
• Lemon Balm – Melissa contain volatile oil (particular citral and Citronellal) which is calming (relaxing tonic) to the central Nervous System, thus reducing feelings of Anxiety, mild Depression, restlessness, irritability, Headaches and nerve pain. Take freshly crushed leaves.
• California Poppy – California Poppy has Nervine properties which help calm the nerves, treats Insomnia, bed wetting and nervous tension, thus a potent herb for the Nervous System. It has a significantly effect of normalizing psychological function on the central Nervous System.
• Catnip – Its oil is used in aroma therapy to promote relaxation and calmness. It has a soothing effect and has been used to treat Headaches, hysteria, and insanity.
• German Chamomile – German Chamomile has a powerful effect on the Nervous System, helping alleviate psychological Anxiety and physiological symptoms of Stress.
• Damiana – It has anti-depressant and Anti-Stress effects as it also has apigenin, (the main constituent in German Chamomile that produces relaxation).
• Gotu Kola – Its as a brain tonic and a rejuvenative Nervine, it is said to aid intelligence and memory and is recommended for nervous disorders such as combating Stress and Depression, energize flagging mental powers, increase libido, ward off a nervous breakdown and improve reflexes.
• Kanna – Kanna is being used by some psyChiatrists, psychologists and doctors with excellent results to treat Anxiety and Depression, because its one of the most usable and functional herbs for mental and emotional wellness.
• Mulungu – Mulungu has a long tradition of use in Brazil and Peru as a natural Sedative for nervous disorders (such as Insomnia, Anxiety, Stress and Depression) and mental disorders (Depression, Anxiety, Stress, hysteria, panic disorders, compulsive disorders, etc.).
• Passionflower – An infusion of the entire plant has a calming effect on nervous disorders (such as Insomnia, weariness or Mental Fatigue, hysterics and tension Headaches). Passionflower has a depressant effect on central Nervous System (CNS) activity and is Hypotensive (used for its Sedative and soothing properties) to lower blood pressure, prevent tachycardia and for Insomnia.
• Reishi – Reishi Mushroom is a natural stress-buster for people under extreme physical or emotional Stress.
• Rhodiola – Rhodiola is a popular plant in traditional medical systems in Eastern Europe and Asia with a reputation for stimulating the Nervous System, decreasing Depression, enhancing work performance and eliminating fatigue.
• Siberian Ginseng – Its taken to improve mental resilience (such as in preparation for tests) and to reduce the impact of physical training and Stress on the body.
• Skullcap – Skullcap acts as a Nervine (nerve tonic) and has a deeper restorative action on the Nervous System more than many other herbs used for hysteria, Epilepsy, convulsions, rabies, and for serious mental illnesses (such as Schizophrenia).
• Valerian Root – Valerian root extracts appear to positively affect/increase the level of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid, a chemical neurotransmitter receptor in mammalian Nervous Systems affected by Sedative benzodiazepine drugs), where it helps the brain/nervous-system to direct messages to the brain, thereby calming down the nerves and helps regulate nerve cells and calms Anxiety.
