“I spoke to about five hospital-based clinics that had this type of care, and they were 3-week treatments in a large group setting! For me, a hospital was a trigger for my PTSD; in my heart, I knew I needed longer than three weeks.
And then, I found Byron Private Treatment Centre in Byron Bay, and as I read the website, it ticked all the boxes for me. It’s not hospital-based and takes a holistic approach.I desperately wanted to get off medication as I was permanently sedated, and it only had a maximum occupancy of fifteen people.”
Dean, Newcastle
What is trauma, and how is it different from PTSD?
Experiencing trauma means going through a distressing event that is overwhelming and unable to be processed by the rational mind. PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder, is a specific mental health condition that follows trauma, with symptoms like graphic flashbacks, sensitised environmental triggers and extreme anxiety. It’s important to note that while anyone can go through trauma, not everyone develops PTSD.
Many people have strong emotional or physical reactions following the experience of a traumatic event. For most, these reactions subside over a few days or weeks, but the symptoms may last longer and be more severe for some. This may be due to several factors, such as the nature of the traumatic event(s), the level of post-event support, previous and current life experiences, support systems and coping resources.
Symptoms of trauma can be described as physical, cognitive (thinking), behavioural (things we do) and emotional (things we feel). Although these symptoms can be distressing, they will settle quickly in normal circumstances. They are part of the natural healing process of adjusting to a very powerful event, making some sense out of what happened and putting it into perspective.
In more extreme circumstances, others will develop more serious conditions such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorders, or alcohol and drug dependency problems. The Byron Private clinical team specialises in the holistic treatment of psychological trauma and will support you in your recovery.
Signs and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder can be grouped into three areas.
- Re-experiencing symptoms
- Flashbacks — reliving the trauma over and over
- Terrifying nightmares, resulting in a fear of sleeping
- Frightening thoughts entering the mind, unbidden and uncontrollable
- Unwanted physical symptoms such as a racing heartbeat or profuse sweating, panic attacks or blackouts
- Avoidance symptoms
- Staying away from places, events or people that are reminders of the experience
- Feeling emotionally numb
- Feeling intense guilt, depression or worry
- Losing interest in activities that were enjoyable in the past
- Having trouble remembering details surrounding the traumatic event
- Hyperarousal symptoms
- Being hypervigilant, easily startled, jumpy
- Feeling tense or constantly “on edge”
- Having difficulty sleeping and/or having angry outbursts
Not all those who have experienced a traumatic event will develop a stress disorder; some have intense responses to trauma that subside within a few weeks. When symptoms are ongoing and longer than a few weeks, it may be post-traumatic stress disorder and you should seek a professional to determine a diagnosis. Research indicates that stress disorders are effectively treated with psychotherapy and, in some cases, medication.
We can help
Often, post-traumatic stress disorder co-exists with other conditions and destructive behaviours such as addiction or isolation. At Byron Private, we believe that looking at only one aspect of the issue would be to treat only half the problem. We believe that psychological trauma must be treated alongside any destructive behaviours that have developed concurrently in order to achieve a genuine recovery. Our post-traumatic stress disorder treatment plan dives beneath the presenting mental symptoms and addresses the issue holistically.
The Byron Private team is committed to recovering every aspect of your health and wellbeing. We employ diverse treatment modalities within a supportive and nurturing environment to help you heal and recover from past traumas.
We understand that trauma and addiction ravage every level of human existence — mental, emotional, physical, social and spiritual and we believe that restoring the delicate inter-connective balance between these elements is fundamental to a successful recovery. Our approach integrates multi-dimensional healing strategies set within the natural environment of Byron Bay, holding the whole person within a complete wellness philosophy that will inspire change and instil hope and self-compassion.
Byron Private offers an effective pathway to recovery for those struggling with mental health, addictions, PTSD and eating disorders. If you or someone you love is struggling, please reach out to our clinical team for a confidential discussion at 02 6684 4145 or via our online contact form.