What to Expect in the First Six Months of PTSD Treatment

Some individuals with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) liken their experience to being adrift in a storm without a map. Horizon Health offers holistic therapy options that are tailored to help you regain your life since we understand the obstacles you face. The holistic approach to treating PTSD at our facility in Queensland takes into account the patient's mental, physical, and spiritual well-being.

There is a pivotal time in your road to recovery during the first half of your treatment. Understanding what to expect throughout this period can reduce worry and boost confidence in the recovery process. Come with me as I walk you through the first few months of treatment for post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

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First Month: Evaluation and Safety Construction

Thorough evaluation and creating a safe environment are the cornerstones of successful post traumatic stress therapy. When you first visit Horizon Health, our skilled practitioners will take the time to get to know you and your specific history, symptoms, and treatment goals.

During the first evaluation, you will probably be asked many personal questions about your past trauma, present symptoms, and the impact of PTSD on your everyday life. A lot of customers ask if it's necessary to tell everyone about their horrific experience right away, and the answer is no. As you become more familiar with one another, you can go at your own pace and reveal only what makes you feel safe.

During the first month, the main goal is to establish a secure therapeutic space where the healing process can start. You and your therapist will work on grounding exercises and coping mechanisms to handle intense symptoms like nightmares, flashbacks, or anxiety episodes. All further treatment will be based on these abilities.

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Two and Three Months: Levelling Up and Establishing a Foundation

Post traumatic stress therapy involves stabilising your day-to-day functioning and strengthening your abilities to regulate your emotions as you enter the second and third months of treatment.

Several methods,in the following, will be covered and practiced throughout this stage:.

Rather than letting yourself be swept away by painful memories, practice mindfulness techniques that bring you into the here and now.

Resilience training methods tailored to the needs of trauma survivors, including deep breathing exercises, PMR, and meditation.

During this stage, many clients start to feel the benefits, such as less shivering or better sleep. Healing isn't a straight line; some days will be better than others, so it's vital to celebrate the little wins along the way.

Together, you and your therapist will determine what sets off your symptoms and work on coping mechanisms that are unique to you. During this time, it's important to get back into the habit of taking care of yourself by restoring your regular eating, exercise, and social habits.

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Four to Five Months: Dealing with Trauma

Months four and five typically involve a shift to more direct trauma processing therapy after a foundation of safety and coping skills has been developed. When it comes to processing trauma here at Horizon Health, we use a variety of methods supported by research, such as

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a technique that can help people cope with painful memories by changing the way their brain processes them.

A form of somatic therapy that aims to alleviate physical tension patterns by addressing the ways in which trauma is stored in the body

In this stage of treatment, you and your therapist will work together to safely explore distressing memories. The point isn't to get rid of these memories entirely, but to make them less emotionally charged so that they can't control you.

Concerns about having to relive traumatic events during treatment are common among patients. We approach processing trauma with great care and with the assistance of others, even though it involves facing painful memories. If you are experiencing emotional or mental suffering, your therapist will help you find ways to cope.

As the hold of painful memories starts to slip during this intermediate period of treatment, many patients report a great deal of comfort. Personal connections, productivity at work, and happiness levels could all take a nosedive.

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Sixth Month: Integration and Progress

After the first six months of post traumatic stress therapy, the focus usually moves to future planning and integration. At this stage, we emphasise

Keeping up with your new coping mechanisms and building on the progress you made in treatment

Moving past traumatic experiences and re-establishing a connection to one's ideals and the things that make life worthwhile

How will I know when I'm healing? This is a common concern for my clients. You should be experiencing less hypervigilance, better sleep, fewer intrusive memories, and increased emotional regulation by this stage of treatment. Being more present and involved tends to improve relationships.

You and your therapist will assess your progress and discuss potential adjustments to the session frequency throughout this sixth month. While this may signal a shift to less intensive treatment for some, others may find that maintaining consistent appointments helps them overcome complicated trauma.

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An Individual Path to Wholeness

Although we have provided a rough description of the healing process, keep in mind that it is unique for each individual. The pace of healing is affected by various factors, such as the severity of the trauma, the availability of support systems, and other life stresses that are still present.

By incorporating alternative therapies such as acupuncture, massage, and nutritional assistance into our treatment plans, Horizon Health is able to treat the full spectrum of trauma symptoms, from psychological to physical. By releasing pent-up trauma in the body, this holistic method frequently speeds up the healing process.

While there is no quick fix for post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the first six months of treatment are a crucial starting point. Many patients keep up with treatment even after this first phase ends, cutting back on how often they see their therapist as their symptoms improve.

It takes bravery and self-care to get treatment if you are experiencing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. Specialist PTSD treatment is available across Queensland from the caring staff at Horizon Health. To learn more about how our integrative approach can aid in your recovery, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with us.

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