July 2022

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Month

Did you know?

Trauma can impact the body in a variety of ways. These impacts can be physical or psychological, or both. For some physical implications of trauma, the immune system can weaken while the nervous system becomes hyperactive. For some neuropsychological impacts of trauma in the body, neural pathways may need to be rewired, the prefrontal cortex of the brain may shrink, and the amygdala may become more reactive.

PTSD vs Complex PTSD 

There is a difference between PTSD and complex PTSD. PTSD can occur after a single traumatic accident whereas complex PTSD can occur when there is exposure to long-lasting trauma like months or even years. Interestingly enough, complex PTSD is not recognized in the DSM-5, but PTSD is!

Signs & symptoms of PTSD

There are many signs and symptoms of PTSD.

•  Intrusion symptoms are a common sign of PTSD. Intrusion symptoms can include unwanted and upsetting memories of the traumatic event, frequent nightmares and flashbacks, distress when confronted with triggers about the event, and severe physiological reactions when exposed to reminders. 

• Avoidance symptoms are when an individual makes an effort to withdraw from certain situations that are distressing to them. This can look like attempting to avoid distressing thoughts and feelings as well as avoiding external stimuli that may remind the individual of the trauma.

• Arousal symptoms are present when an individual is constantly “tense” or “on guard”. This presents as unprovoked irritability, hypervigilance, having a heightened startle reaction, and difficulty falling asleep and/or staying asleep.

• Negative mood can sometimes be an indicator of PTSD as well. However, this may not manifest in the way you might expect. According to the DSM-5, negative mood indicators are a chronic negative attitude and expectation of oneself/others/surroundings, loss of interest in activities, alienation from others, chronic inability to experience a positive affect, and dissociative amnesia (inability to remember details of trauma).
  

Remember, you can develop PTSD symptoms from experiencing these events, but also from witnessing them or hearing about them secondhand.

Resources

• PTSD Foundation

• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

• Trauma-Informed Counseling

  • EMDR

    • EMDR stands for eye movement desensitization and reprocessing. It is a focused approach to treating PTSD through images, emotions, and bodily sensations associated with trauma.

    • EMDR Therapists in Gainesville: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/ga/gainesville?category=emdr 

  • Brain-spotting

    • Brain-spotting uses an individual’s visual field to help them process trauma. It helps access trauma in the subcortical brain.

    • Brain-spotting Therapists in Gainesville: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/ga/gainesville?category=brainspotting 

  • TF-CBT

    • TF-CBT is trauma focused cognitive behavioral therapy. It is specific for children and it helps them address the negative effects of trauma.

If you suspect you or a loved one may be experiencing symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, see the screenings tools linked below that are free and usable by anyone to provide more information on status of potential symptoms:

• The PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5)

• The Life Events Checklist for DSM-5 (LEC-5)

Local Events

First Fridays - Concert on the Square: Soul Purpose Band, Motown and Soul Music
July 1, 2022
7:00pm - 10:00pm
Historic Gainesville Square

Teen Murder Mystery Night - Hosted by the Hall County Library System
Ages 13-18
July 7, 2022
6:00pm
127 Main Street Northwest, Gainesville, GA 30501

Summer Shautauqua Series - Southern Writers: Zora Neale Hurston - Hosted by the Hall County Library System
July 12, 2022
7:00pm - 8:00pm
322 Academy Street Northeast, Gainesville, GA 30501

The Children’s Center for Hope and Healing Trauma Conference
July 15, 2022
9:00am - 4:30pm
Grace Episcopal Church
422 Brenau Avenue NE, Gainesville, GA 30501

Beach Bash!
July 15, 2022
6:00pm - 10:00pm
Lake Lanier Olympic Park
3105 Clarks Bridge Road, Gainesville, GA 30506

Food Truck Friday
July 15, 2022
5:00pm - 9:00pm with Live Music 6:00pm - 8:30pm
Lake Lanier Olympic Park
3105 Clarks Bridge Road, Gainesville, GA 30506

Fitness in the Park - Phenomenal Abdominals Core Strengthening
July 30, 2022
9:00am
Wilshire Trails Park, 849 Wilshire Road