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Defining psychotrauma

Contents
Identifying post-traumatic stress disorder
Identifying complex PTSD
Signs of PTSD in children
Stabilization, treatment and consolidation
The duality of disorders
Protecting yourself as a professional

Identifying post-traumatic stress disorder 

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental disorder that can develop following exposure to a traumatic event.

His diagnosis, recognized in the DSM 5 and the ICD 11is defined by specific criteria evolving for more than a month after the event.

PTSD alters the social, family and professional functioning of the individuals it affects, plunging them, in many respects, into often disabling difficulties. Their quality of life, and that of those around them, is greatly diminished, with devastating consequences on an individual level: stress, falling self-esteem, development of a resignation mentality, etc.

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The main symptoms of PTSD are as follows

Revivals

Reliving the traumatic experience: intrusive memories of the event, nightmares, flashbacks, etc.

Avoidance

Avoidance of cues suggestive of the traumatic experience: thoughts, feelings, places, people, activities, etc.

Hypervigilance

Persistent perception of a current threat: exaggerated startle response, difficulty concentrating, irritability, etc.

Find out more about dissociation
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Identifying complex PTSD

When a traumatic event lasts for a long time or is repeated without the person being able to escape or protect him or herself, as is the case with childhood sexual abuse and maltreatment, when the person is under control or dependent, or in situations of war and torture, a second form of post-traumatic stress disorder can occur, called complex post-traumatic stress disorder (cPTSD).

Find out more about PTSDc

According to ICD 11, in addition to the symptoms of PTSD, the person with complex PTSD may suffer from lasting and pervasive impairment of emotional, personal and relational functioning.

This alteration results in :

Difficulties regulating emotions, negative self-beliefs ("I suck∙le", "I'm worthless"), themselves associated with emotions like shame or guilt, disturbances in relationships with others that prevent building lasting relationships.

PTSD in children

For a long time, it was believed that young age was a protective factor against psychological trauma. However, recent scientific research shows that children and adolescents, just like adults, can suffer psychological trauma and subsequently develop PTSD or complex PTSD.

They are even particularly vulnerable in that their level of emotional maturity is not sufficient to enable them to understand the event and make sense of it. 

Symptoms are the same as for adults (reliving, avoidance, hypervigilance), with the addition of enuresis, regression in behavior, disinterest in activities previously enjoyed, loss or increase in appetite, withdrawal or increased aggression...

Find out more about PTSD in children
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Stabilization, treatment and consolidation

Phased treatment is essential for the safe and effective management of PTSD. This approach aims to reduce the risk of retraumatization and ensure that the patient is ready to face traumatic memories in a progressive way.

Stabilization sheet

The stabilization phase is a crucial step. It aims to help patients regain a sense of security and manage trauma-related symptoms, before addressing the traumatic experiences themselves.

Treatment sheet

The treatment phase deals directly with traumatic memories and the emotional reactions arising from them. This phase helps to desensitize traumatic memories, regulate the associated emotions and transform the resulting negative beliefs.

Coming soon

The consolidation phase consists in reintegrating and rebuilding the individual. The aim is to help the patient regain his or her place in the outside world, re-establish healthy social relationships and rebuild a more positive, functional self-image.

+ two practical resources to pass on to a concerned person:

Duality of disorders

Many people present with post-traumatic stress disorder and another disorder, either present before or triggered after the traumatic experience. These sheets help professionals to understand the specific features of each disorder, so as to better identify them:

Protecting yourself as a professional

Compassion fatigue, burn-out, professional trauma... Are they all the same thing?

Consult the dedicated file

You don't need to know exactly how to distinguish between the three concepts, but you do need to recognize the different reactions in order to seek help when needed. In all cases, only a mental health specialist (psychologist, psychiatrist), trained in psychotrauma (not all are), can make a diagnosis. He or she will be able to guide you according to your needs.

(Re)learning the signs of trauma

Rearrange your schedule (as far as possible)

Working in a team

Be aware of "why we do this job".

Allowing yourself to express your emotions
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