Trauma - PTSD
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disorder that can occur in individuals who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event, such as a natural disaster, severe accident, terrorist act, war, or personal assault. Medically, PTSD is characterized by a persistent and heightened state of mental and emotional stress following the trauma, which leads to disturbances in cognition and mood. The condition involves alterations in brain function, particularly in areas associated with memory and emotion, such as the amygdala and hippocampus. The diagnosis of PTSD relies on a comprehensive clinical evaluation and is guided by criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), which includes symptoms that need to be present for more than a month causing distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other areas of functioning.
The ten most common symptoms associated with PTSD include intrusive memories or flashbacks of the traumatic event, intense or prolonged distress associated with trauma reminders, avoidance of reminders or situations related to the trauma, negative changes in thoughts and feelings such as persistent fear or guilt, difficulty experiencing positive emotions, problems with mood regulation, hypervigilance, exaggerated startle response, trouble sleeping, and difficulty concentrating. These symptoms can significantly disrupt an individual's daily life, leading to challenges in occupational and social settings, and increasing the risk for associated conditions like depression or substance use disorders. Addressing these symptoms through evidence-based interventions, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), neurofeedback, other alternative approaches and sometimes medication, is critical for improving the mental health and quality of life for those affected by PTSD.
Living with trauma - PTSD can lead to an unfocused, chaotic and under performing brain can leave you feeling helpless and overwhelmed. Life doesn’t have to be so difficult.
Through the integration of evidence-based approaches such as LENS Neurofeedback, Physical Vascular Therapy, Low Level Light Therapy, Brain Supplements, and Brain Health Coaching, Harmonized Brain Centers aim to transform the way your brain functions, enabling you to reach optimal cognitive performance. While Harmonized Brain Centers do not provide diagnoses, they focus on recognizing symptoms and fostering the most conducive environment for brain functionality.
Harmonize Your Brain, Harmonize Your Life!