Case Example
Parvin
Any case examples that I share here are completely anonymised. Names and some case details are altered, disguised or changed to protect my clients’ absolute right to privacy.
You can suffer from PTSD without realising that you have it. Sometimes this is mis-diagnosed as anxiety - this Case example may help you, but it is always advisable to seek appropriate medical assistance.
Please note that most of my case examples are individual and I imply the methodology works for that individual. Research carried out by Benish, Imel and Wampold (2008, Clinical Psycology Review, 28 746-758) concluded that all
bona fide
psychology
treatments are equally effective in PTSD.
Parvin is a 23-year-old student who felt he had a list of anxieties. Social anxiety, emotional anxiety and OCD or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
His triggers all stemmed from reading online about why he might be experiencing palpitations.
The palpitations lead to thoughts about the possibility of him getting sick.
The worldwide spread of the Covid-19 pandemic exacerbated his panicky feelings dramatically and this led to increased anxiety about going out and meeting people.
Paranoia set in and the constant thought of people judging him activated old childhood fears. This is when he decided to connect with me to seek help as he felt that his childhood fears were the cause of his current sleepless nights.
Strategy
Treatment
My goal as a therapist is to help clients move from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) into the wonderful period of growth that can often follow PTSD. This can occur when the client is helped to move forward and they often experience PTG or Post Traumatic Growth.
Over time we left the past where it belonged and worked on Parvin's Post Traumatic Growth (PTG) with three sessions including talk therapy.
We talked about how he felt more able to realise his desire of becoming a business man. I helped him narrow his ideas to a specific line of business and supported him while he connected to someone who has a similar business.
He did not himself, at first notice the healing that was taking place within him.
But he frequently mentioned how he would fall asleep to the personalised recording I had made for him.
When, building on his renewed interest in beginning his business, he also started discussing that he had met a friend for coffee I could see that he was now focussed far more on his Post Traumatic Growth than the PTSD that he had been experiencing.
"Thank you so much Belynder for helping me.
It took me a lot of courage to make that first phone call and as soon as I connected, I knew it was the right thing to do.
Belynder had a session with me and went back to all my childhood memories which have haunted me for years.
Childhood trauma, a lot of verbal, mental and other abuse.
I started listening to her audio every night. I'm in a much better place emotionally and mentally.
I've overcome the obstacles and blockages that were holding me back.
Belynder helped me to rewire my mind and change my old belief system. I am now more positive, my fears are going away and I feel so much stronger and know that I will be OK in the future. "
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What is Post Traumatic Growth?
Research suggests that a significant number of individuals (30-70%) who experience trauma also report positive changes and growth as they are helped to process the experience.
(Joseph and Butler, 2010)
Four of the positive symptoms that have been noted include:
Greater appreciation of life
Relationships with others
New possibilities in life
Personal strength
Could you help someone by sharing this? Use the links below.
PSTD and anxiety can trigger multiple adverse reactions including anxiety.
PTSD symptoms can feel overwhelming.
But the key thing to remember is that they do not have to control your life.
You can learn how to manage your PTSD through treatment and talk therapy.
