Post-traumatic stress disorder - Is psychodynamic psychotherapy the right approach for you?

Post-traumatic stress disorder - Is psychodynamic psychotherapy the right approach for you?

Post-traumatic stress disorders can be treated using various methods that differ in approach and requirements. To make the best choice for yourself, it's important to know how therapy works and what is required of you before you decide to get started.

Psychodynamic psychotherapy focuses on changing symptoms and behaviors. This therapy tends to emphasize the unconscious, the storehouse for painful feelings, thoughts and urges that we don't want to look at. Those feelings, thoughts, and urges that we have buried in this mind still impact our behavior, even if we are not aware of it. We usually tend to avoid situations that may cause painful feelings that we don't want to look at.

Psychodynamic psychotherapy tends to treat post-traumatic stress disorder by looking into the past. It looks at experiences you had in your childhood, your current relationships, and also defense mechanisms you use to avoid painful feelings caused by the trauma you experienced. For example, you may try to avoid talking to a certain person because it causes painful feelings for you.

This form of therapy involves repeating and working through painful unconscious feelings to bring about change. The therapist measures where you are trying to run away from dealing with your real feelings, shows you how to do this using defense mechanisms, and then helps you express the stored feelings so you can move forward.

Does this therapy work? Studies have shown that people treated with this therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder have experienced improved relationships, increased self-confidence and a reduction in symptoms of depression, as well as higher self-esteem. As you can see, while this therapy has its benefits, it requires work on your part and is not for the faint of heart.

Is it right for you? If you already suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, coming to terms with buried feelings and coming to terms with the past isn't easy, and some people may find it far too upsetting to go down this path. There are other therapies and self-help methods that do not require revisiting the past to heal the present, and some of them may be a better fit for some people. Only you can decide whether this is an appropriate therapy for you based on your situation and character.

Alternative practitioner psychotherapy

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