What Is PTSD?
Post traumatic stress disorder is a neurophysiological condition that is often associated with a single traumatic event or a series of traumatic events that result in a perpetual state of extreme stress, fear and mental and physical unrest. The psychological effects of PTSD may include flashbacks and night terrors, panic attacks, dissociation, feelings of rage, guilt and despair, depression and a sense of isolation. Physically, the body may be in a constant state of fight or flight (leading to hypervigilance) or can at times become hypoarroused (leading to dissociation and "freezing"). In some instances, as well as the hormonal and adrenal disarray that occurs, leading to insomnia, palpatations, severe sweating, nausea, feelings of faintness etc., other physical health problems can arise in the longer term including chronic pain, fatigue, inflammation and reproductive or gastrointenstinal conditions.
What is GAD?
Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a condition involving a near constant or regular state of fear, worry and uneasiness often in relation to everyday situations. The causes of GAD can be stress or trauma related but often sufferers (and health professionals alike) are not able to pinpoint a single cause or set of circumstances that could account for its onset.
Symptoms associated with GAD include adrenline rushes, dizziness, heart palpations, stomach churning, feelings of dread, profuse sweating and a restless mind. Often thoughts are fear laden and negative. For many people, GAD can also be accompanied by other health conditions such as depression, panic attacks, muscle and joint pain, IBS, insomnia, heartburn and for women, disrupted menstrual cycles and reproductive issues.
How Lucia's Light can help.....
If you have received a diagnosis for either PTSD, Generalised Anxiety Disorder or perhaps Panic Disorder - or you are struggling alone with traumatic experiences, stress and anxiety without a formal diagnosis, it may be that the unique combination of Yoga & massage therapy and Ayurvedic/holistic approaches here at Lucia's Light could help you.
It may be that you have tried counselling, CBT and other forms of talking therapy and may be on prescribed medication for either anxiety or depression and still find that sleep is disrupted and feelings of anxiousness, despair, fear, anger and guilt prevail. Counselling and talking therapies can be of enormous benefit for many but it may be that additional or alternative help is required to counteract the physiological implications of anxiety, stress and trauma. This is because for some, simply trying to talk through emotions or experiences without a grounded, additional body based approach, may at times either fail to re-set the nervous system responses or even re-trigger the body's defense systems, possibly leading to re-traumatisation or depression. Body based approaches such as those used at Lucia's Light are unique in that hormonal surges are contained and sometimes reversed using marma massage, body posture and even facial expressions. Relaxation and breathing techniques, calming sound therapy, as well as diet and lifestyle recommendations also form part of the overall programme to provide a holistic treatment that can compliment conventional medical and counselling routes, as well as help address additional health problems that may accompany anxiety and PTSD.
Evidence & Research for Yoga as an aid for Trauma Recovery
Effectiveness of an Extended Yoga Treatment for Women with Chronic Post Traumatic Stress Disorder :-
Claiming peaceful embodiment of Yoga in the aftermath of Yoga:-