Mental Health
PTSD
Experiencing trauma can leave you feeling unsafe and uncertain. Whether the event occurred recently or in the past, healing is possible. You can learn to let go of painful memories and move forward.
Understand PTSD
Causes
The Impact of Apartheid: The Shadow of Apartheid
In the vibrant tapestry of South African society, a dark thread remains interwoven – the lasting psychological impact of apartheid. Nearly three decades after the official end of this oppressive system, its effects...
Unresolved Trauma: Understanding and Healing
Traumatic events are distressing experiences that can deeply affect us physically, emotionally, mentally, and socially. These events may include natural disasters, serious accidents, abuse, or other situations that...
Symptoms & Diagnosis
Understanding a Psychotic Break: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options
A psychotic break is a frightening experience where a person loses touch with reality, often due to declining mental health. Also known as psychosis or a psychotic episode, this condition can be triggered by stress,...
Treatment
Imagery Rehearsal Therapy for PTSD: Treat Nightmares
Imagery Rehearsal Therapy (IRT) is a cognitive-behavioral treatment designed to reduce the frequency and intensity of nightmares, particularly those experienced by people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)....
Living With PTSD
Invisible Scars: South Africa’s HIV/AIDS Epidemic
In the bustling streets of Johannesburg, the quiet villages of Limpopo, and the townships of Cape Town, a silent struggle unfolds daily. It's a battle fought not just against a virus, but against the crushing weight of...
Repetition Compulsion: Understanding Trauma Reenactment
Repetition compulsion involves engaging in behaviors or seeking experiences that mirror early life events, including past traumas. Despite the negative outcomes, individuals often continue to repeat actions or...
Supporting Someone with Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is a complex mental health condition that can significantly impact an individual's life, relationships, and overall well-being. If you have a friend, family member, or loved one with bipolar disorder,...
Recommend Help in the Field
Hannes Wessels
Dr. Wessels is a therapist and psychologist based in Cape Town who specializes in anxiety, depression, EMDR therapy, PTSD, individual counseling, teen counseling, and trauma counseling.
Michelle Wanless
With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Wanless has worked with a wide range of clients and presenting problems. Her approach is eclectic to best fit the client’s needs. The modalities she works from include psychodynamic, person-centered, CBT, solution-focused, trauma-focused, and attachment theory.
Bradley Knight
Dr. Knight works with adult clients (age 20+) struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma, bereavement, and other mental health-related issues.
PTSD FAQ's
What are PTSD treatments?
Common treatments for PTSD include:
- Medication: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can help manage depression and anxiety symptoms.
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy: This therapy focuses on identifying and addressing distorted thinking patterns that contribute to PTSD symptoms.
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR): This technique uses eye movements to process traumatic memories and reduce their emotional impact.
What are PTSD symptoms in women?
PTSD symptoms in women may differ slightly from those in men. Women are more likely to experience emotional numbness, depression, and anxiety. They may also be easily startled and use avoidance as a coping mechanism. PTSD symptoms often persist longer in women. However, substance abuse is less common in women with PTSD.
What are the signs of PTSD?
Different people may experience different symptoms of PTSD. Common signs of post-traumatic stress disorder include intrusive flashbacks or nightmares about the traumatic event; the urge to avoid things that remind you of the event, such as certain locations or people; feelings of detachment or numbness; hyperarousal, or feeling tense, jumpy, irritable, and always on the lookout for danger; negative moods and thoughts, such as feeling hopeless, lonely, guilty, or distrustful; and reduced focus or impaired memory.
What’s the difference between PTSD and trauma?
Trauma occurs when an event causes extreme stress, such as experiencing a natural disaster, witnessing violence, or being involved in an accident. Over time, the stress from trauma typically subsides as your nervous system returns to its normal state. However, with PTSD, your nervous system doesn’t return to normal. Your mind and body remain “stuck” in the traumatic moment, and your symptoms interfere with daily life.
What are the types of trauma?
Trauma can take various forms:
Acute trauma: This arises from a single or short-term event, like a car accident.
Chronic trauma: Repeated incidents, such as physical or sexual abuse, can lead to chronic trauma.
Complex trauma: Multiple traumatic experiences throughout childhood can result in complex trauma, often affecting relationships and self-image.
Secondary trauma: Witnessing or hearing about someone else’s traumatic event can cause secondary trauma.