Patrick J. Hart Psy.D.
Evaluation and Treatment in Seattle:
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder PTSD.
The American Psychological Association provides you an
abundance of information on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder PTSD.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): is an anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to a terrifying event or ordeal in which grave fear of physical harm, occurred or was threatened. Inordinately traumatic events that may trigger Post Traumatic Stress Disorder include intrusive or violent personal assaults, natural or human-caused disasters, such as terrorist attacks, motor vehicle accidents, rape, incest and sexual abuse, violent crimes or military combat.

Life must be lived forward . . . ~Soren Kierkegaard

Most people who are directly injured in traumatic events (or witness them) will experience a brief period of difficulty adjusting to and psychologically integrating the "shock" of the experience. With time, social support and healthy coping methods, such post traumatic reactions usually get better on their own. However, when the experienced trauma is profound, unexpected, or repetitive, the symptoms may become inordinately protracted and last for months -- or even years. If you do not rebound from extreme trauma, and your life remains strangely disrupted, you may be experiencing the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): may occur soon after a significant major trauma, or it can be delayed for more than six months after the event. When it occurs soon after the trauma, it usually resolves within 3 months. However, some people suffer a longer-term of PTSD, which be extremely disruptive and can last for many years.

Symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder:
Evaluation and Treatment of PTSD in Seattle and BellevuePeople that suffer from PTSD can have trouble functioning in their normal activities of daily living, work performance or personal relationships. Children can be traumatized and have difficulty in school, may become isolated and withdraw from others and manifest various behavior problems or seemingly unwarranted phobias.

Many individuals with PTSD repeatedly re-experience the ordeal in the form of flashback episodes, intrusive memories, nightmares, or obsessive frightening thoughts. PTSD symptoms are frequently noted when trauma survivors are exposed to places, events or objects that have been associated with the previous trauma. An "Adjustment Disorder" is Diagnosed when on is experiencing the "natural" rebound from traumatic experience. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is diagnosed when symptoms are significantly disruptive to ones life (socially, occupationally, psychologically, physically) and last more than one month.

PTSD symptoms do not have to last a lifetime and help is available in Seattle

Dr. Hart: Anxiety & Panic Evaluation & Therapy in Seattle
PTSD: Prevention Counseling for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Apprehension, anxiety and fear are natural emotions that are frequently experienced by even the healthiest human beings. Such unpleasant emotions are naturally unwanted by most sound thinking people. Nevertheless, such distressing emotional experiences can be both healthy and adaptive when such feelings serve as "signal cues" that propel us into actions that help us protect or preserve our well-being.

Discover the Differences:
Distinguish Normal and "Disordered Anxiety"
Adaptive anxiety, and fear are natural human experiences that can serve a life enhancing and self-protective propose, helping us sustain safety -- avoid trouble -- and preserve our lives.

Finding a psychologist, psychiatrist or therapist to help you label yourself with a "Psychiatric Disorder" like Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Social Phobia or Panic Disorder will not make your life more livable or help you magically cope with such problems!

Discern Your Way Out of "The Labeling Game"
Instead of "helping" you get stuck in a psychiatric labeling game, I will help you identify and understand the human-nature of your anxiety, phobia, or panic problem and help you learn to bring this to a livable resolution. In short, I will help you identify and modify the psychological puzzles that turn your anxieties, apprehensions and worries into life-crushing and self-defeating obsessions that are otherwise diagnosed as psychiatric disorders.

Facing Off: With Your Fear
Feel the Fear and Do Life Anyway!
Facing your fears and anxieties squarely is your first-step to making changes that will move you in the direction living your valued life most vitally. Simply achieving the "correct" professional diagnosis won't help you get your life back. What you must do is look into how the extraordinary drama or '"battle" with managing or forcefully avoiding anxiety plays-out in your life -- so you can start taking effective personal steps to do something about that.

Questions to Consider:
Confronting the Core Problem: Are You Living to Avoid Fear and Anxiety?
What, exactly, is the nature of my problem with anxiety? What are the most disturbing and personally defeating or life interfering aspects of my struggle with anxiety and fear -- otherwise known as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder?


Screening and Diagnosis: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Psychiatric Times: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder PTSD

Prevention of PTSD: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Research on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: Brain Structures


Occurrence of Post Traumatic Stress DisorderMuch psychological research has explored the etiology and development of PTSD. and psychological, genetic, physical, and social factors clearly interact in this disorder. PTSD research has emphasized the body’s natural response to stress and psychologically shocking events. Studies continue to explore brain structures and variables like stress hormones levels to gain a more clear understanding of the role of neurotransmitters.

Social Support: Prevention of Post Traumatic Stress DisorderHaving solid and loving social support and appropriate counseling of therapy helps to protect people from developing more severe symptoms of PTSD. In studies of Vietnam veterans, those with strong social (and therapeutic) support systems were less likely to suffer sever symptoms of PTSD than those without therapy or cohesive social support.

Therapy and Counseling: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in SeattleWithout dedicated therapy or counseling, eople diagnosed with PTSD report that they continue "re-experience" the event again and again in at least one of several ways. They may have frightening recollections, dreams, and intrusive memories of the event. Phobias are common because or an understandable fear that similar events will occur. Therapy for PTSD helps people resolve "flashback" episodes involving memories experienced during the trauma. Without psychotherapy, sufferers may experience extreme anxiety and psychological distress with even remote associations like anniversaries that reflect the history of the traumatic event.