Sunday, March 24, 2024

How To Heal Ptsd Spiritually

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Begin Work On Your Long

How to Spiritually Heal Trauma and PTSD – Dr. Erin Extra

Often people who develop PTSD or a chronic stress disorder discover they had other issues before the stress that put them at risk for PTSD.

Begin to talk about you. What does the experience mean to you? Who are you aside from the trauma? What does the trauma say about the person or thing that hurt you? What if any sense can you make of this?

The discussion of what actually happened should occur when you are ready to tackle this information.

Can You Heal From Ptsd Without Support From Loved Ones

Theres no doubt about it: When youre trying to achieve any task its much easier to do when you have the support of family and friends. Watch any sport and you can see how true this is – the fans in a stadium cheering on a team or player, the crowds that line the route of a marathon shouting encouragement, or even the caddy who walks with a golfer softly speaking words of belief in a successful outcome for the upcoming hole. Humans are social beings and, as such, we seek and even crave the connection of others when we attempt a difficult and meaningful task.

Heal Trauma Associated With Abuse Through Spiritually Based Practices

Trauma is not what you may think or perceive it to be.

The misconception of trauma is that PTSD associated with a traumatic event is a mental or psychological issue. However, symptoms can manifest physically and/or spiritually as well.

Trauma leaves a blueprint in your nervous system through cellular memory. Even when we cognitively are aware of the trauma, our subconscious and physical body have cellular memories of their own.

The #metoo movement has done an amazing job at opening the doors on many fronts. Survivors of abuse who have once been silenced are now being heard in ways unprecedented. This is BIGGER than we know and could ever imagine.

The healing process for most survivors of abuse is a difficult and painful one. The traditional standard treatment in our American healthcare system rarely looks at the root cause of our symptoms and treats only the symptom. Therefore, we rarely address and heal the underlying cause. Left untreated, it can manifest into illness.

Our bodies are miraculous beings fully equipped to heal themselves. However, when we experience trauma, such as an accident, natural disaster, loss, or even abuse, those abilities become significantly compromised.

Although, we are taught that time heals all wounds, we are learning this is not always the case. Many times these traumas manifest years later.

Journey into self-discovery, empower yourself, remove toxicity, restore wholeness and create a healthier you!

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Ask Yourself: Do I Really Want To Overcome Ptsd

If you really want to overcome the condition of PTSD you can, but it may very well feel like passing through the gates of hell many times throughout your recovery. There were times when I didnt care about getting things fixed and just wanted to give up and commit suicide.

Additionally, I am by no means guaranteeing that this will be a way for everybody to recover or get cured. Im just sharing what worked for me and what is possible for some individuals. I also realize that not everyone wants to re-visit the initial trauma because of the intense pain it is associated with. I reached a low point that made me wake up one day and just say screw it Im going to do all that I can to overcome this and if I dont, well at least Ill have tried.

I hit a point in life where my only option was suicide or try something to improve my situation. Even if you dont fully recover from your condition, I do think that what Ive listed here can help you get some joy back into your life and at the very least reduce some of the stress you are experiencing. Full recovery involves changing from a fight or flight, fear based state of being back to homeostasis how you felt before the stress ever occurred this is a long journey.

Guidelines For Incorporating Spirituality Into Group Activities

Spiritual Gift of Intercession: Burden Bearing  The ...

To institute a spiritual component, two ground rules are critically important: strictly voluntary participation, and mutual respect for divergent views. Patients’ views of spirituality can be highly personal and emotionally charged, ranging from seeing spirituality as unimportant to it being a central focus of life. These factors make it essential that participation be voluntary. Discussion of sensitive and delicate issues must allow for wide ranging differences in attitudes and beliefs. Thus maintaining a tone of interest in and mutual respect for the views of others is a necessity. Emphasis is placed on aspects that varied religious traditions share, rather than on those which separate. Acknowledgment of the varied contributions of each religion and culture represented should be made and a tone of acceptance set by group leaders. As with all trauma groups, it should provide a safe environment for emotional expression and self-disclosure.

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Trauma Does Not Have To Define The Rest Of Your Life

The traumatic event or victimization was not from God, it was a result of living in a fallen world where evil can influence us and others. The excessive fearful effects of the trauma were due to a spirit of fear joining a person in that instance and they were unable to go to Father God for help to properly process and heal from it.

At any point in life, we may find ourselves in an adverse situation. We may have the initial response of fight or flight in order to protect ourselves in that instant but we do not need to agree with a spirit of fear that wants to join us long term and allow it to project evil into our future.

In fact, when we are renewed in our minds and begin to walk by faith and trust in God rather than fear, we will find that previously stressful situations will not affect us the same way. When something bad happens, we will have a greater presence of mind to deal with it rationally and move on.

This comes by maturing in our relationship with Father God as we continually take our hurts, pain, and frustrations to Him. Through this, we can become stronger as a result of trials and tribulations instead of folding under them!

Holistic Treatment Of Ptsd

A holistic approach to physical health issues acknowledges the participation of the mind and spirit in the healing process. Conversely, truly holistic care for PTSD combines treatment of the mind and emotions with support of physical health, including the hormonal and biochemical interconnections between mind and body. A synergistic approach offers the greatest potential for authentic and lasting recovery from post-traumatic stress disorder.

In my practice I rely on functional medicine testing of stress hormones, neurotransmitters, blood sugar, thyroid function, and a range of stress-modulating nutrients to identify the unique patterns of imbalance in an individual with stress disorder. With this information, natural approaches such as nutrient replenishment, herbal support, and lifestyle modification can be used to promote health and balance of body, mind, and emotions.

Heal the Adrenals

A damaging effect of intense or chronic stress is disruption of the lines of communication between the brain and the adrenals, resulting in loss of the normal regulation by the brain of stress hormone output. Problems with sleep and difficulty getting going in the morning are symptomatic of this communication breakdown. Phosphatidyl serine is a natural supplement which, in doses of 200-300 mg. at bedtime, can help repair the stress-induced damage to brain cells and over time can restore healthier stress-hormone balance and better quality sleep.

Nutrition for the Brain

Practice Self-Care

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Influence Of Spirituality On Depression Posttraumatic Stress Disorder And Suicidality In Active Duty Military Personnel

Laurel L. Hourani

1Behavioral Health and Criminal Justice Division, RTI International, 3040 Cornwallis Road, P.O. Box 12194, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA

Academic Editor:

Abstract

1. Introduction

Several hypotheses have emerged that explain spiritualityâs link with mental disorders. Dating back to the end of the 19th century, Durkheimâs study of religiosity/spirituality and suicidal behaviors suggested that those with increased spirituality also had greater levels of social support, which effectively buffered against psychopathology and suicidal behaviors . More recent studies have come to similar conclusions . Another mechanism may be that greater spirituality protects against mental disorders and/or suicide by increasing the ability to cope with stressors , deepening oneâs sense of purpose or meaning , and/or reducing feelings of hopelessness, which have been indicated as a predictor of suicide . In contrast, it has been suggested that religious beliefs may exert a negative influence on mental health especially in the emotionally vulnerable by increasing fears or guilt, reinforcing neurotic tendencies .

The second aim is to determine whether spirituality moderates the relationship between combat exposure/deployment and these mental health problems. We hypothesize that high levels of spirituality will buffer the association between combat exposure/deployment and depression, PTSD, and suicidality.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Subjects
2.2. Survey Procedures

Louise Also Offers Affirmations For Ptsd:

How to Heal Your Emotional Trauma & Past Wounds | Healing Workshop

I am harmless to others and others are harmless to me. I feel safe with the young and with the old.

I feel safe with those who are like me and those who are different from me.

I feel safe with animals, I feel relaxed with animals, I live in harmony with all animals.

The weather is my friend. I am in harmony with all of lifethe sun, the moon, the winds and the rain and the earth and the movement of the earth. I am at peace with the elements. I am always comfortable in any weather. My body adjusts to the outer temperature. I am at ease.

I have also learned to be tranquil. In the midst of chaos, I can be tranquil. Tranquility is inner peace.

I practice being peaceful when others are agitated. I do not have to buy into peoples agitation.

For me, peace of mind and loving myself is the most important state I can experience.

Peace replaces fear, terror is replaced by tranquility, scariness becomes serenity, uncertainty becomes confidence.

Love replaces hate. Repression makes for freedom. I bless all people with love, I surround the planet with love.

Excerpted with permission from the upcoming release

I know we are safe. All is well, and so it is.

References

Expert Review of NeurotherapeuticsSkills Training Manual for Treating Borderline Personality Disorder

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Using Cognitive Behaviorial Therapy

Now that you have been medicinally and pharmacologically rewiring your body, you might as well do the same with your brain and your behavior. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help you start to identify the thought patterns in your brain, the what if and I could, but Id rather not thought patterns.

Exposure therapy can help stop the pattern in which you avoid more and more things in the world. This is a procedure where you use imagery and with a tremendous amount of support start to imagine past traumatic events and conceive present circumstances that remind you of them. With support, youll learn to desensitize your brain and body.4

Its important, at this stage of your treatment, to tell yourself that you are a brave survivor for having come so far and that you want, paradoxically, to face new situations that might be scary and out of your comfort zone.

Holding two thought patterns that are seemingly opposite concepts is the key to healing trauma. For example, I love myself just the way I am is a phrase that can be coupled with its seeming opposite, I want to change.

Often people who have a history of trauma and abuse have difficulty holding paradox and are prone to black-and-white thinking. So, you might say, Im a survivor, Ive come this far, this is what I learned to do to feel safe.

Thats all right. You can love yourself where you are and want more.

How do you do that?

Ensure Your Personal Safety

If you are in a dangerous situation healing is not likely until you deal with the current emergency. Make a safety plan and execute it. You need to feel safe and have reliable food clothing and shelter before you think about other aspects of recovery. But dont put off recovery waiting for the day you will miraculously feel safe. Get started on the safety part first. Just taking steps to move to a safe place can be empowering.

Challenges to your safety dont only come from outside. You may be a big part of the danger. Avoid, control, or work on urges and cravings. Confront any urges to commit suicide and seek help immediately if you have thoughts of suicide. Recognize and deal with non-suicidal self-injury, substance abuse, eating disorders, and the urge to try out risky behaviors. Dont put yourself at risk to be victimized anymore.

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Get Your Daily Routines And Rituals In Place

Most people who experience a crisis lose that ability to get up, eat, care for themselves, and then move about their day. The sooner you re-establish your daily routine the better.

When children are involved the recommendation is the sooner you can resume family rituals the better. Get back to your spiritual home. Remember to have some sort of ritual in your life birthdays, Christmas, or any other familiar activity makes everyone feel better.

Returning to a job or other activity can be a great way to begin your recovery. If you cant work at a paid job consider volunteering. Having a reason to get up and out of the house can jump-start your recovery.

A regular and consistent amount of sleep is important. So is some form of exercise. Be as consistent as possible with mealtimes and bedtimes. Include time for relaxation and positive activities.

One: Validate The Effects The Trauma Has Had On Your Life

Healing from Trauma is Your Responsibility: Steps to ...

Trauma affects lives in so many different ways. It is important to honor how it has affected yours. It may have had an impact on your relationships, self-esteem, feelings of safety, and the list could go on ad nauseam. These are scars that only you know about and it’s time to share them with others and lessen the shame associated with them.

Journal Exercise: Write a list of the effects the trauma has had on you in the following areas

  • Physical

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Caution Do Not Start Digging Until You Know What Is Buried Out There Avoid Black Holes

The first reaction of someone trying to recover from complex trauma and the approach of many counselors is to go searching for the buried details. People ask Why cant I remember things? Counselors are tempted to try to recover those lost memories. This can result in more trauma and pain and runs the risk of digging up stuff that wasnt really buried in your yard but the yards of neighbors or even fictional characters.

Some serious damage has been done by forcing people to remember things way before they were ready and by hunting for things that you are not sure happened. Ask a kid often enough about sexual abuse and they will begin to remember things that may have happened or they think happened. These contaminated memories have resulted in a lot of extra pain.

There are a number of other steps that need to be completed before you go digging into the past for answers. The brain tries to protect us by hiding details from us that might keep us from functioning well enough to survive. Trust the process.

What Does The Bible Say About Recovering From Ptsd

PTSD, or Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, is a mental illness that can develop following a traumatic event. While the Bible does not talk about PTSD by name, there are a lot of biblical principles about how to care for, love, and encourage sufferers of trauma. Due to the complexities of trauma, the causes and symptoms of PTSD are widely varied. Because each person suffering from PTSD develops the disorder for a different reason, it can be nearly impossible to directly pinpoint every trigger that may set off the sufferer’s symptoms.

Before we go any further, if you are suffering from PTSD, please know that you are not alone. No matter the cause of your pain and confusion, there is hope and help. While living with and treating PTSD isn’t easy, it IS possible. The courage it takes to get through each and every day is huge. You are a survivor, and we hope this article offers even a little bit of comfort during this painful time.

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Ptsd Symptoms In Children

In children especially very young children the symptoms of PTSD can differ from those of adults and may include:

  • Fear of being separated from their parent.
  • Losing previously-acquired skills .
  • 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 .
  • Acting out the trauma through play, stories, or drawings.
  • Aches and pains with no apparent cause.
  • Irritability and aggression.

Do you have PTSD?

If you answer yes to three or more of the questions below, you may have PTSD and its worthwhile to visit a qualified mental health professional.

  • Have you witnessed or experienced a traumatic, life- threatening event?
  • Did this experience make you feel intensely afraid, horrified, or helpless?
  • Do you have trouble getting the event out of your mind?
  • Do you startle more easily and feel more irritable or angry than you did before the event?
  • Do you go out of your way to avoid activities, people, or thoughts that remind you of the event?
  • Do you have more trouble falling asleep or concentrating than you did before the event?
  • Have your symptoms lasted for more than a month?
  • Is your distress making it hard for you to work or function normally?

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