PTSD Symptoms and Their Function

A direct link to the CEU course is available here www.allceus.com/member/cart/i...
PTSD and Functionality of Symptoms
#PTSD #trauma #counselingskills
Purpose
~ By understanding the function of symptoms we can
~ Normalize the behavior
~ Identify alternate ways to meet that same need or address the issue
~ Re-Experiencing
~ Trying to replay it to figure out how to integrate into your schema (like fitting a puzzle piece)
~ Reminding the person of similar situations to “protect” them
~ Avoidance
~ The system is already over taxed. Avoiding upsetting stimuli by blocking out most stimuli, memories of the event.
~ Avoiding unnecessary use of energy by not getting “excited.”
~ Changes in Beliefs
~ Protects against future “surprises”
~ Tries to assimilate the experience into schema
~ Increased Arousal
~ Protects the individual
Re-Experiencing
~ You re-experience things every day
~ Access schema that guide your actions
~ When you go to work
~ When you encounter a particularly volatile client
~ When you approach a stop light
~ Re-Experiencing in PTSD
~ The context is often overgeneralized
~ The precipitating factors are often unknown
~ In many cases the resolution was not one of empowerment, resulting in trying to continually figure out how to not be disempowered
Hypocortisolism
~ Cortisol is the stress chemical
~ After extreme stress and/or under chronic stress the brain may reduce the responsiveness of the stress response system by reducing the cortisol
~ This is protective, it keeps the organism from using precious resources by getting “excited” about anything (including pleasure)
~ Due to fear conditioning, when a stressor is detected, the stress response is exaggerated.
Changes in Beliefs
~ Purpose: The need for order and meaning (Regaining control, Ability to predict)
~ Persistent and exaggerated negative beliefs or expectations about oneself, others, or the world
~ “I am bad”
~ “No one can be trusted”
~ "The world is completely dangerous"
~ Persistent, distorted blame of self or others about the cause or consequences of the traumatic events
Changes in Beliefs
Beliefs Interventions
~ After a trauma people’s lives are changed forever.
~ It is often necessary to grieve the loss not only of tangible things like property, but also existential things like belief in a just world and the goodness of people.
~ Identifying the threats and associated thoughts the person had/is having
~ Addressing cognitive distortions using Cognitive Processing Therapy
CPT Challenging Questions
Increased Arousal
~ Irritable or aggressive behavior
~ Anger/threat reaction to continue to self-protect
~ Interventions:
~ Help the person identify and address triggers
~ Develop skills to address emotional and behavioral dysregulation (STOP Stop Think Observe Participate)
~ Reckless or self-destructive behavior
~ Stop the pain (I don’t care if I die, because…)
~ Distract (Numb through thrill)
~ Regain control (Lightening doesn’t strike twice)
Final Thoughts
~ Tormenting thoughts and feelings and attempts to stop or avoid those thoughts and feelings are central to PTSD
Summary
~ Increased Arousal
~ The traumatic threat was unpredictable, ergo future events are unpredictable.
~ Increased arousal keeps people alert to potential threats.
~ Using CPT Challenging Questions help the client examine his/her beliefs about the event and his/her current safety
~ Avoidance and numbing helps the person survive since nobody can be “alert” and agonizing for that long
~ Helping the person understand that during a traumatic event, certain chemicals in the body prevent effective memory formation. This is protective.
~ Numbing helps preserve precious energy.
~ Changes in beliefs
~ Keeps the person from being vulnerable again
~ Helps the person try to make sense of it.
~ Re-Experiencing
~ Like trying to fit a puzzle piece, the brain is trying to make sense of how this fits into current schema
~ The brain may have to develop new schema based on likely faulty memories from the trauma, so many stimuli are overgeneralized and cause “triggers” for anxiety to be everywhere.
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[@DocSnipes]

👌More videos can be found on this topic at: kzbin.info/aero/PLcB3trehXswg6FS0YzaQLwvX7jj1avd_F&si=T0Xm154Gm21Rrv-P ❤️Self help activities and worksheets and concierge coaching with Dr. Snipes can be accessed at DocSnipes.com 👍Online Courses for Continuing Education (CEU, OPD, CPD) and Substance Abuse Counselor Certification

[@debb.3857]

Replaying events in my head to try to figure out what red flags I may have missed...or making sense of a confusing situation

[@thashen1]

Replaying the events makes you immune to them (you come out stronger better)

[@jessicamadrid5799]

Missing red flags means nothing about you. People do bad things and they are responsible for their actions. Remembering red flags is not what keeps us safe. Having confidence in our selves, God, and listening to your intuition (Holy Spirit) is what keeps us safe the next time. Memorizing red flags only keeps us focus externally, anxious, and distrustful of most people. This protective technique isolates us more.

[@littlewoodchopper2659]

I find myself often wandering why I'm so screwed up because I think nothing was that bad but then I think about if it was someone else, I would think it was bad.

[@evaw430]

As I counselor trainee, I cannot thank you enough for these videos. I currently have clients in my internship experiencing these symptoms and your videos have helped me help them IMMENSELY!

[@DocSnipes]

So glad I am able to help.

[@eyeonthesparrow9745]

As an adult I am more hypervigilant than I was as a child. I learned to be this way though because lots of bad things actually happened and I wasn't protected or informed of decisions that were made that affected me horribly. I feel like things were just done to me all of sudden with no real understanding of why and no one there to protect or stop it ( parents).

[@DocSnipes]

Yes, hypervigilence is normal. What tips from the video will you use to address it?

[@Augfordpdoggie]

when youre young you do, when youre old you think

[@mariew4422]

Love this. Wast overly scientific felt like a one on one like she was personally talking to me. I understand myself better now. Thank you so much and I'll be saving this as a future reference

[@DocSnipes]

Thanks so much!

[@JusCallMeC]

Well, I get why I can't talk about my trauma now. My brain is protecting me. I keep saying, "it's not safe. It's not safe." So, what I am getting from the idea of my brain protecting me from trauma is, in a sense, my mind is playing tricks on me. I hope I'm not overthinking this. Your lessons are so interesting. Thank you.

[@DocSnipes]

You’re so welcome. Why do you think it’s not safe. What would it happen if you were to talk about your trauma?

[@JusCallMeC]

@Doc Snipes - I'm betting if I had the answer to that, I'd be filthy rich! I don't know, honestly. It just doesn't feel okay. Early trauma. PTSD diagnosed. So, I guess I shouldn't rely so much on my brain to guide me on this. But, thank you so much for your feedback and the question. Now, I'm going to overthink the question to the ground and figure out why...lol

[@handkmommy]

This was a very informed video describing the complexity of the disorder. I believe part of the shame is in having developed PTSD at all. Like you failed to control your own brain. Your step by step explanations brought tears. I have been gaslit by people, made to feel inadequate and many very disturbing physical symptoms that very few people understand but they can see. Night sweats are at the top of the list. It’s debilitating. Something else is seizures. People experience so much stress and sleep disruption that it can cause serious consequences such as seizure activity.

[@DocSnipes]

I appreciate you watching! Other videos that might help you cope with cPTSD can be found at kzbin.infosearch?query=CPTSD

[@SpectrumOfChange]

Wow Dr. Snipes. You've so clearly laid out the words, descriptions, and dynamics, that I've begun to have a working grasp of. But have not yet been able to articulate in real life with the people who would most benefit from these concepts and information. I'm fairly new here but from what I can tell, you have the outstanding skill of finding the functional line between detail and overview. That, alongside your ability to appropriately simplify quite complex circumstances, is a gift. Thank you.

[@DocSnipes]

Thank you so much for watching. What would you say is your favorite tip from the video?

[@SpectrumOfChange]

@@DocSnipes my mind doesn't isolate favorites apart from the rest in how it works in general, but I appreciate the question.

[@John3.16saves]

​@@DocSnipessorry to wade in lol. But my favorite tip from your presentation was that I was able to "de-emotionalise" hyper vigilance,. Because it's the brains way of scanning for danger. And lastly, I found solace when you said it's so exhausting. It was good to have it recognized! When it's been so private to me.

[@eyeonthesparrow9745]

When you experience spiritual trauma/ abuse then the changing of beliefs happens because you stary reprogramming, unlearning, and healing from either brainwashing or mind control. That process can bring on acute depression or sadness with some people, but I have found its only temporary. Because my ptsd or ptss included spiritual trauma, I know a lot about that process. But after the process is complete where you do have new beliefs, sometimes knowing that you were spiritually traumatized can make you angry and make you pull out your sense of advocacy and activism, where you don't want anybody else to experience what you went through. When you go through this kind of stuff as a child, you can be more resilient, if and only if you are removed from the environment while you are still a child. I think this was my saving grace. I don't live a life of anxiety or fear at all as an adult. I k ow that for the most part my ptsd is healed. The only place where it has effected me in my life is through giving me a sleep disorder where I suffer from all kinds of insomnia. This starting being pronounced in early 20s. But before that it was just extremely bad nightmares and sleep paralysis. I know my childhood trauma changed my brain and now as an older adult, the daily stresses of normal life or secondary or subsequent traumatic events has exacerbated the sleep issues. I do have a heightened response to stressor but it's all internal, because I am generally a calm and mellow person. I keep my cool in various situations. It takes a lot to get me over the edge, even if internally something is happening. I think as an introvert, the skill of knowing how to go inward has been a great tool in my belt to not completely break down throughout life.

[@DocSnipes]

I am sorry that happened to you and I appreciate you watching. What tips from the video will you use to address ADHD?

[@eyeonthesparrow9745]

@@DocSnipes thanks so much for replying. I wouldn't know much about tips for ADHD, because I've never had any issues or signs or symptoms with ADHD or ADD.

[@John3.16saves]

After 3 deaths and an illness, I didn't even realize I had PTSD until I read an article online and recognized the symptoms. I thought I was going crazy. It was a relief to read it. 2+ years on. I've seen two therapists. And I'd recommend anyone to do the same. We take a car to the garage if it's not functioning properly. And in the same kinda way the therapist is like a brain mechanic :) also don't give up if the first one you try doesn't gel with you. That can happen. You're worth the time and investment. Faith has also played a large part in my journey to recovery 🌟

[@DocSnipes]

Thanks for watching and for sharing

[@samwatson8079]

Thank you so so much for this video. I am in the throws of healing from CPTSD… and it seems that for me, the better I am getting, the more reactive and frightening the triggers are. My first EDMR session is on Monday… this is an absolutely crippling disorder no matter what it’s called. I shared this video with my fiancé… in hopes of helping him understand enough that he might not take it all personal… as it isn’t his fault and he is PRECIOUS. And also, in hopes that he might be the on to take my hand and help me walk through this thing. Sincerely, this is one of the most straightforward explanation of what has happened to our brains and bodies, unwillingly

[@DocSnipes]

You’re most welcome. I am sorry you are struggling with cPTSD. Thank you so much for watching the video. I also appreciate you sharing it with your husband. What were his thoughts, after watching it? Also, how did your first EMDR therapy go?

[@samwatson8079]

@@DocSnipes he didn’t watch it… lol It went well… very exhausting tho. I had been preparing myself to pour it all out and I did. I am already feeling better

[@Kelli5555]

I got to the avoidance part and my brain wanted me to shut it off 😂 I have a hard time learning about trauma because my coping mechanism is avoidance

[@DocSnipes]

Thanks for watching. Wishing you peace, health, and happiness.

[@Kelli5555]

@@DocSnipes thank you for your videos!!

[@petergabriel2239]

i strongly recommend him he's trustworthy he ship to any location man he got all kinds of psychedelic product stuff's!!

[@elizabethseiden9938]

When I was a vegetarian, it naturally helped to reduce my anxiety and depression.

[@barrymcclaughry9229]

Excellant presentation Doctor

[@DocSnipes]

Ty!

[@Wifeysierra4lifeyrose]

I’m currently in therapy trying to deal with childhood trauma my brothers and me were diagnosed with ptsd so I’m trying to learn everything about this . Thank u for this informative video

[@DocSnipes]

You’re most welcome. Thanks for watching. You can learn more for FREE on trauma at allceus.com/AskDocSnipes

[@DarkMoonDroid]

I have CPTSD and this kind of "Therapy" just makes me worse. I hope you are listening.

[@lisasternenkind6467]

@Jennifer Grove ... Me too and I also dislike, that here again PTSD is being treated as anxiety problem, even though specialists know since so many years already, that this is not only wrong, but also extremely harmful. I also miss 2 statements: one as to which year's state of the art the text is, and one as to how PTSD, chronic PTSD and complex PTSD differ. And above all, there is not just one single therapy as treatment. Sending you a hug from Germany. ;-)

[@debb.3857]

Everyone's brain 🧠is different

[@John3.16saves]

Wow. What a great presentation. Thank you. Best wishes 🌸

[@DocSnipes]

You’re most welcome. Glad to have been of service

[@stellaariana1276]

Amazing. So true about needing to cultivate the ego with care.. allow yourself to feel your aspects with curiosity and kindness and allow expression of what you could not be as a child. Figuring out prefrences... when I started my healing work- I didn't even have any prefrences or actually direction I was pursuing... I was a shell of a human and had no real substance as it had been beaten out of me. My mother also, would compare my life ( if I ever expressed pain or difficulty) by saying "how much worse" she had it. To this day she still try's to invalidate any negative emotion by making it about her... actively denying the bad parts and ignoring the good at best. Nothing could ever just be about me, even my sports as a child was as a tool for her self image- which I could never bolster or compliment or support enough because she would deny and say "really? Do you think I'm smart/pretty/intelligent..."etc. it was so hurtful to have to constantly praise her and revive no praise in return- and on top of it- she's play this game by denying and being self deprecating so that my endless compliments were not even received. I've had to learn to define SELF and teach myself that all of my emotions are valid- regardless of anyone else. It's taken me a decade to figure out the emotional fallout from my childhood. If anyone reads this, IRENE LYON on YT and her flavor of Somatic Experoencing has been pivotal to my healing. ❤

[@DocSnipes]

Thanks for watching and for sharing. I am sorry your mother invalidated your feelings and still does this. You can learn more on how to address that for FREE at AllCEUs.com/DocSnipes-AI

[@elizabethseiden9938]

There’s the perfect song that says watch yourself, tell me what your doing! This song reminds me of the trauma bond!

[@IG.mycotripssertraline]

Msg 👆🏻👆🏻on ig

[@eyeonthesparrow9745]

Smells only bring memories, but no a stress response trigger at all. For a long time a child crying was a huge trigger and I always thought if a child was crying they were being tortured or treated badly or neglected, etc, because that was my reality as a child. I saw and heard other kids screaming and crying out of distress and physical abuse

[@eyeonthesparrow9745]

And these sounds would make me very uneasy amd even be so sensitive thst I start crying as well. I am a highly sensitive person where I feel others pain, so I think that trigger was even more pronounced in me because of that. This is how I was as a child. As an adult, this does not happen. I don't get triggered by babies crying anymore, because I know that babies cry for lots more reasons than just neglect or abuse and things like that

[@DocSnipes]

Thank you so much for watching and for sharing your experience

[@elizabethseiden9938]

As a young kid, I remember crying out and almost screaming when my mom would get stopped by the police. In Korea the roads/laws are underdeveloped. It took her several years to become a good driver. I was always upset in the back seat of her car as a four year old girl.

[@davemustachio2734]

My wife and I have recently started taking marriage counseling and we had to fill out paperwork before hand and when we had the first session and the counselor said that I came in just under PTSD. I realized that I was suppressing things that happened to me because it was traumatic. I am starting to work through it. My wife also has things to deal with and I am hopeful that we can get through this together.

[@DocSnipes]

Congratulations on starting marriage counseling and thank you for watching the video

[@BallietBran]

This is extremely helpful. Thanks doc! ❤️ I was almost murdered when I was 12 and grew up being abused and also seeing my dad abuse my mom and brother's on a continual basis physically, mentally, and spiritually. I've always always tried to make sense of the things that don't make sense and the things I didnt have control over growing-up. This work of yours really helps me understand the daily flashbacks I have and sometimes incredibly horrible nightmares I get (At least once per month). Thank you this is healing for me and for other's too. ❤🫂😇

[@DocSnipes]

I am sorry you were abused. It’s awful. Thank you for watching the video

[@John3.16saves]

Thanks!

[@DocSnipes]

I am sincerely grateful for your thoughtful contribution to my video. Your generosity speaks volumes, and I'm inspired by your support. Thank you for making a positive impact on my creative journey.

[@John3.16saves]

@@DocSnipes Thanks for the reply, how lovely. Best wishes ❇️

[@scottthomas5819]

Yes

[@DocSnipes]

I appreciate you watching. Other videos you might be interested in can be found at: kzbin.infosearch?query=CPTSD

[@Autumn-Muse]

I was not expecting Five Finger Death Punch to make an appearance in this.

[@DocSnipes]

lol. :) 5FDP is one of my favorite bands.

[@elizabethseiden9938]

Last night, I had a dream about animals in my kitchen similar to rats. I was raising them, but I didn’t take good care of them so they were dying in clusters on my kitchen floor. Then I felt like a total failure!!!

[@deepmaven8773]

developed CPTSD from being repeatedly attacked by a cyberstalker, hacker in Ottawa, David Cavlovic. A major part of my healing involves reading my victim impact statement in the courthouse for the judge to hear

[@DocSnipes]

I am sorry that happened to you and I appreciate you watching the video. What did you find most useful from it? Other videos you might be interested in can be found at kzbin.infosearch?query=ptsd

[@deepmaven8773]

@@DocSnipes They continue to cyberstallk me day and night on my devices. It has never stopped. They make sure I know they are stalking with ongoing triggers such a controlling the volume on my devices and devaluing me with KZbin videos and much more. That's why it's complex.

[@dragonstaye4557]

Or, years on end.

[@jordanjames3937]

Is the need to memoir or autobiography normal? I’ve been working on one, and was in a bad accident last week, and am doubling down on wanting to finish it

[@DocSnipes]

Yes, it is normal. Thanks for watching. Other videos you might be interested in can be found at kzbin.infosearch?query=ptsd

[@mestis343]

Be my coneslour you teach us so much :3

[@DocSnipes]

Thanks for watching the video. I offer consultations. Here’s the link: docsnipes.com/docsnipes-relationship-coaching-recovery-coaching-support/

[@mestis343]

@@DocSnipes I totally would at one point. I thought Swedish HealthCare would help, but I went through it instead. It took 2 years. Interestingly, Sweden if I'm correct don't have much resources or knowledge about PTSD compared to Us and their veterans. And well, it was only mentioned when the symptoms was the clearest. But a little bit too late then. Thank you, Doc Snipes.

[@jessicasrealll.3342]

It is better to avoid and also follow the path of growing and self knowledge because you dont need to interact with others if they hurt you mutiple time.

[@DocSnipes]

Thanks for watching the video. Other videos you might be interested in can be found at kzbin.infosearch?query=PTSD

[@Tutuila1968]

23:35 I stopped listening to music I'm familiar music because it takes be back to a place not necessarily bad but a thought that old or one i always have

[@DocSnipes]

I am sorry music is a trigger for you and I appreciate you watching the video

[@danhouse3641]

Your good. How do you get fixed. I don’t think that I can get fixed. How do I get better.

[@DocSnipes]

Thanks for watching. You can search my channel to find other related PTSD videos, and that may help you. This screenshot shows you how to search from my channel. Go here: kzbin.info Then follow this screen shot. allceus.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/2022-07-08_11h51_46.png

[@supernova11491]

Huh? Watching the planes crash over and over and over again on TV traumatized me (and I was nearly 30 years old).

[@DocSnipes]

Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@azaleaslightsage1271]

It's called vicarious Trauma, Why shouldn't watch the news tragic events ect

[@JusCallMeC]

Yeah, for me it was the people jumping out of the windows...whew! I'll never forget that.

[@lisasternenkind6467]

I suffer from cPTSD and I must tell you, that confronttion might be the correct way to go for people suffering from anxiety, but it is definitely NOT the right way to go for people like us suffering from cPTSD!!! There are actually very good reasons why PTSD and cPTSD are not treated as anxiety disorders since several years now. Please make sure, that your videos include the information, that they are state of the art of the given date. # Also, therapy is not only one element, especially when dealing with PTSD or cPTSD. Please don't just over emphasize o a single element. This does more harm than doing nothing at all.

[@astridfinley7763]

Wait if PTSD and cPTSD aren't anxiety, what are they? I think of it more like a branch. You can have anxiety without having PTSD but you can't have PTSD without having anxiety. I'm not sure I understand what exactly your saying. Elaborate?

[@wxwxw8800]

@@astridfinley7763 You can have problems with dissociation, flashbacks, depression, sleeping problems, problems with identity, with eating, with the view on the world and human in general, dysfunctional coping strategies, problems in relationships with other people.... You don't necessary need to have anxiety.

[@astridfinley7763]

@@wxwxw8800 yes, but this wasn't saying that. It was saying that c-ptsd and ptsd aren't anxiety related. Yes, you can struggle in all sorts of ways, but part of ptsd is avoidance of triggering situations/stimuli and that doesn't really come without anxiety. If you weren't anxious about it, you wouldn't be avoiding certain things. You can have a whole host of problems without also having anxiety, but ptsd isn't one of them.

[@wxwxw8800]

@@astridfinley7763 I think I understand the post differently. Some people with PTSD experience anger or dissociation instead of anxiety. Avoiding triggers can also be driven by pain.

[@micheller6804]

@@wxwxw8800 PTSD causes brain changes. When triggered, your normal executive functioning in the prefrontal cortex goes offline, and your amygdala, which involves the fight-flight-freeze-fawn response takes over. This is the more primal, "lizard" part of the brain which kept you alive during the traumatic event or events. It is also inextricably linked to fear, anxiety, and the desire to survive. It may be expressed as anger and avoidance, but the underlying emotion is fear. I have had cPTSD since childhood, and some of the comments made in the video really resonate with me.

[@tohe0000]

I couldn´t see a motorcycle accident without breaking down, it lasted for well over 15 y

[@DocSnipes]

Wishing you peace, health, and happiness.

[@dillonmf2908]

I hope I am not too much in the minority on this topic. For me at some moments I can logic like the doctor does in terms of the compartmentalization of the mind. But for me, there are times instead of thinking in terms of "service to my brain" it feels more powerful as "service to my god" (good shoehorn, yeah?). But to me I am not advocating for this position, and it is not a genuine depiction of all my experiences and thoughts. Because sometimes thinking in purely secular terms helps more. Can anyone speak to this? I believe focusing on the healing ought to be more important. But thinking is a weird coping mechanism for me. So, back to I don't actually know; I don't know how to use this idea for my own therapy well.

[@DocSnipes]

Thank you for watching. What works best for you and what worked best for you in the past? When you were in distress in the past, what worked?

[@elizabethseiden9938]

I get triggered when my coworker said something about me that seemed offensive. For example, you would do that with this person sexually.

[@thashen1]

Id like to know did any of you take medication because i didn't and um fine. My bff died i was stabbed in the heart watched my boss beaten and stabbed and my uncle died the next day people i beg you please do not take medication

[@DocSnipes]

I am sorry that happened to you and I appreciate you watching the video. What tips will you use to cope with PTSD?