By Shane Young, MA, LPC, Chapin & Russell Associates
Many of us are exposed to trauma during our lives, whether we experience it first-hand or witness a frightening event. It is common for people who live through trauma—such as a natural disaster, car accident, physical assault, mass shooting, or even a global pandemic—to develop trauma like symptoms associated with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Since our brains are wired to alarm us to the presence of danger, having a physical and psychological response to trauma is normal. But when the distressing feelings don’t diminish over time, it can lead to PTSD. Approximately 1 in 30 U.S. adults suffer from this condition. Sadly, 70 percent of adults in the U.S. have experienced some type of traumatic event at least once in their lives. That’s 223.4 million people! More than 33 percent of youths exposed to community violence will experience Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Childhood trauma can show itself years down the road, once forgotten, and spontaneously show itself well into one’s adult life.
Some of the signs that trauma may have emerged in your adult life include: being triggered by little things that normally wouldn’t bother you much before, feelings of worthlessness or believing you deserve to be alone, deep insecurities that impact your relationships, struggling to set healthy boundaries in relationships and always feeling guilty when you do, feeling highly emotional, severe anxiety with frequent panic attacks, fear of abandonment, and intrusive thoughts or flashbacks, just to name a few.
It’s important to understand that having symptoms of PTSD is not a character flaw or a sign of personal weakness. It is also important to recognize that you aren’t alone in this battle. Many others have struggled with similar experiences. Coping effectively with PTSD starts with taking steps to support your brain with healthy habits such as good nutrition, exercise, proper hydration, supplements, and use of meditation or relaxation strategies.
If you find yourself continuing to struggle with PTSD, there is evidence-based research that indicates it may be time to take a closer look at your brain to see where the brain dysregulation is occurring. Unfortunately, most doctors neglect to take advantage of current advances in neuroscience that include EEG brain mapping to assess their patients. As a result, individuals with PTSD often go undiagnosed or are misdiagnosed leading to the wrong kind of treatment. Today, advanced brain mapping technology provides an objective measure of the neurological impact of PTSD, which leads to a more accurate diagnosis and more effective treatment. EEG brain mapping results can also provide an added reassurance to those suffering with PTSD that their symptoms and behaviors are neurobiological, not just emotional. This insight can help eliminate the shame and guilt people feel and encourage healing.
At the Neurotherapy Institute of Central Illinois, we use leading-edge EEG brain mapping technology to help identify trauma in the brain. Our comprehensive brain-body approach to treatment involves noninvasive neurofeedback, biofeedback and self-regulations skills that reduce brain dysregulation. This is the least toxic, most advanced, and effective brain therapy to heal trauma. Treatment options include the development of a personalized treatment plan custom designed for each individual’s brain mapping results and involve lifestyle changes that include natural supplements, nutrition, exercise, and a healthy sleep regimen that can significantly improve brain function and support to your therapeutic needs.
You don’t need to suffer from trauma any longer. For more information or to book an appointment, contact Shane G. Young, MA, NCC, LPC, Licensed Professional Counselor, and Trained Neurotherapist at the Neurotherapy Institute of Central Illinois, a division of Chapin and Russell, Associates, located at 3020 W. Willow Knolls Dr. Peoria, IL 61614. Call us at 309.681.5850, visit us online at www.chapinandrussell.com/neurotherapy/, or find us on Facebook at @chapinandrussell · Mental Health Service. Shane G. Young can be contacted by email at shaney@rms4solutions.com