OVERCOMING COMPLEX PTSD WITH COUNSELLING - MY JOURNEY TO HEALING
Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD) is a serious mental health condition that can result from being exposed to chronic or repeated traumatic events. These can include childhood abuse or perhaps domestic violence. Symptoms of C-PTSD might include flashbacks, anxiety, depression, hyper-vigilance and difficulties with both forming and maintaining relationships. I was diagnosed with C-PTSD several years ago. It was affecting every area of my life, but with the help of counselling, I was able to overcome my struggles with C-PTSD and so begin the journey towards healing.
From the moment that I arrived at the bright and airy offices of the Hampshire Hypnotherapy and Counselling Centre, I felt that I had come to the right place. We went upstairs and into a cosy private consultation room. This really felt like a safe non-judgemental space where I could talk about my trauma in confidence. My counsellor was lovely. She listened carefully to my concerns and helped me to understand that the symptoms I was suffering from were not my fault at all. They were instead the result of the traumatic experiences that I had been subjected to. This understanding helped me to feel like I wasn't on my own. It made me feel understood for the first time, and almost at once, I felt my anxiety levels lowering.
It was a long journey but through the counselling process, I became better able to understand what my triggers were and how my reactions played out. I learned how to identify the situations and certain people that would trigger my C-PTSD symptoms, and then how I could manage them when they occurred. I was taught a number of coping mechanisms that I could use to help me feel that I was more in control of my reactions, rather than the reactions controlling me. The exercises that I learned, helped me to lower my anxiety, manage my flashbacks and get through my other symptoms healthily.
Over time, my counsellor has helped me to process my trauma in a safe and controlled manner. This was very much a gradual process and it was taken at my pace. Because of this, I was able to work through the emotions that were associated with my trauma and begin to heal from it.
Together, we developed a maintenance plan to keep my symptoms under control. The plan includes ongoing self-care and all of the strategies she has taught me to recover and move on with my life.
If I had not sought counselling when I did, I'm not sure where I would be in life now. The counselling was an essential step in my recovery from the trauma that I suffered. I truly believe that safe and supportive environment saved my life. These days I am in a much better place and I can only thank counselling for helping me to reach that place. I would thoroughly recommend The Hampshire Hypnotherapy and Counselling Centre to take you on your own journey towards recovery.
