Post Traumatic Stress: A Guide to Coping with Flashbacks
Flashbacks are a common symptom of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). They are sudden, involuntary memories or images of a traumatic event. Flashbacks can be very upsetting and can make it difficult to cope with everyday life.
If you’re struggling with flashbacks, there are effective treatments available that can help. One of the most effective treatments for flashbacks is accelerated resolution therapy (ART). ART is a short-term therapy that can help you to process the traumatic event that is causing your flashbacks. It can also help you to reduce the intensity and frequency of your flashbacks.
ART is a relatively new therapy, but it has been shown to be effective in reducing flashbacks in people with PTSD. A study published in the journal “PTSD & Anxiety” found that ART was more effective than traditional therapy in reducing flashbacks in people with PTSD.
If you’re struggling with flashbacks, ART may be a good option for you. If you’re interested in learning more about ART, talk to your therapist or psychiatrist.
How Accelerated Resolution Therapy Works
Accelerated resolution therapy (ART) is a short-term therapy that helps you to process the traumatic event that is causing your flashbacks. It can also help you to reduce the intensity and frequency of your flashbacks.
ART is based on the idea that flashbacks are a way of your brain trying to process the traumatic event. When you have a flashback, your brain is trying to make sense of the event and to come to terms with it.
ART helps you to process the traumatic event in a safe and controlled environment. The therapist will help you to identify the traumatic event and to create a safe space where you can talk about it. The therapist will also help you to identify the negative beliefs that you have about the traumatic event and to replace them with more positive beliefs.
ART can be a very effective treatment for flashbacks. It has been shown to be more effective than traditional therapy in reducing flashbacks in people with PTSD.
What to Expect from Accelerated Resolution Therapy
ART is a short-term therapy, typically lasting 6 to 12 sessions. The sessions are usually spaced out over a few weeks.
During the first session, the therapist will assess your symptoms and history. The therapist will also explain the process of ART and answer any questions that you have.
In the next few sessions, the therapist will help you to identify the traumatic event that is causing your flashbacks. The therapist will also help you to create a safe space where you can talk about the event. The therapist will also help you to identify the negative beliefs that you have about the traumatic event and to replace them with more positive beliefs.
The final session will be a review session. The therapist will review your progress and make sure that you are feeling better.
Benefits of Accelerated Resolution Therapy
ART has been shown to be an effective treatment for flashbacks. It has been shown to be more effective than traditional therapy in reducing flashbacks in people with PTSD.
ART can also help you to:
- Process the traumatic event
- Reduce the intensity and frequency of your flashbacks
- Improve your sleep quality
- Reduce anxiety and depression
- Improve your overall quality of life
If you are struggling with flashbacks, ART may be a good option for you. Talk to your therapist or psychiatrist to learn more about ART.
How to Find an Accelerated Resolution Therapy Therapist
If you are interested in finding an ART therapist, you can use the following resources:
- The Accelerated Resolution Therapy Association (ARTA): The ARTA website has a list of ART therapists in your area.
- The Psychology Today website: The Psychology Today website has a therapist directory that you can search by specialty.
- The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): The NAMI website has a list of mental health professionals in your area.
Once you have found a few ART therapists in your area, you can schedule a consultation to see if they are a good fit for you.