TRAUMA AND PTSD
What is Trama & PTSD?
Trauma is a profound psychological wound that fractures and drives one’s sense of self and view of the world. Trauma is not solely defined by the external events themselves, but by the lasting internal imprint they leave on the individual.
“Trauma is not what happens to you. Trauma is what happens inside you as a result of what happens to you” Dr. Gabor Maté.
This disconnection can manifest in a range of ways, including chronic illness, mental health disorders, and addictive behaviours. Trauma can arise from sexual, physical, or other deeply distressing experiences. Sometimes, these feelings remain dormant for many years, only to surface later in life, often linked to emerging addiction or emotional issues.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), as defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO), is a specific mental health condition that may arise after exposure to highly threatening or catastrophic events, such as violence, natural disasters, or severe accidents. Symptoms typically include intrusive memories of the trauma, avoidance of reminders, emotional numbness, and heightened arousal. Although not everyone exposed to trauma develops PTSD, the presence of protective factors, such as strong social support, can significantly reduce the risk.
Trauma and PTSD amplify the complex interplay between external events and internal responses. Healing requires addressing both the symptomatic manifestations, such as intrusive thoughts or hyper-arousal, and the deeper psychological wounds, such as disconnection and emotional pain.
Signs To Pay Attention To
Intrusive memories & flashbacks: Recurrent, involuntary memories of the traumatic event or reliving the event through flashbacks, often accompanied by intense emotional distress.
Avoidance behaviour: Efforts to avoid thoughts, feelings, places, or people that remind the individual of the traumatic experience, often leading to social withdrawal or isolation.
Emotional numbness & detachment: A sense of being emotionally disconnected, lack of interest in activities, or difficulty experiencing positive emotions.
Hyper-vigilance & anxiety: Persistent feelings of being on edge, irritability, difficulty concentrating, exaggerated startle response, or trouble sleeping due to heightened vigilance.
Emergence of related Issues: Development of secondary issues such as addiction, depression, or physical symptoms like chronic pain, which may stem from unprocessed trauma.
Ultra Personalised Treatment
A comprehensive approach to recovery for trauma and PTSD involves creating a safe and supportive environment that promotes reconnection with the self and enables individuals to rebuild an inner sense of stability and hope.
The Istana Approach is a dynamic model for ultra-personalised treatment, providing a balance of clinical precision and human touch. Whatever is required for your re-connection and renewal is integrated into your evolving treatment plan.
Istana gives you access to the very best clinical support, psychotherapy and unparalleled lifestyle support encompassing movement, exercise, exquisite natural surroundings, nutrition, holistic therapies, and a compassionate team that is attuned to your needs, hopes, and dreams. We are here to hold and support you as you transform back to the person you know yourself to be.
We are not tied to a fixed approach or bound by dated thinking. Instead, we are progressive, responsive and adaptive to your evolving needs. This approach allows us to meet you as the unique individual that you are, enabling profound and effective change.
