APART of WA

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder article prompted by an email, “How does this have to do with the paranormal?” The answer is within the first paragraph;

“Explanations of PTSD focus primarily on the way that the mind is affected by traumatic experiences. Theorists speculate upon facing overwhelming trauma, the mind is unable to process information and feelings in a normal way. It is as if the thoughts and feelings at the time of the traumatic event take on a life of their own, later intruding into consciousness and causing distress.”

When a client calls a team into their home, more often then not we are the last resort this family faces. Having an entity in the house is a form of trauma. Every sound, every shadow, every unexpected event becomes a hostile anticipation; whether or not the entity is “real”, the family believe it is.

After living either weeks, months or years with their entity they eventually become unable to process information and feelings rationally. As a paranormal investigator it is exigent that we look at the possibility that the clients are suffering from PTSD. Do not, under any circumstance, go into an investigation with the ideas put forth by the paranormal television programs; prove or disprove the existence.

Whether or not we believe there is a haunting, the client does! (Hence their calling you into their home to help them.)

Notice that in the article it discusses hormonal systems, and normal stress reactions causing a false alarm:

“For example, there is evidence that a hormonal system known as the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis becomes disrupted in people with PTSD. This system is involved in normal stress reactions, and its disruption in people with PTSD can again be conceptualized as a kind of “false alarm”.

Think about a family scenario that has an already hyper-hormonal teenager? How much of their hormones are escalating the situation; thus causing the family to be on edge creating a more false alarm situation?

Here are some signs of PTSD; ask yourself and your team, do you consider these when doing an intake?

Re-experiencing the traumatic event

* Intrusive, upsetting memories of the event
* Flashbacks (acting or feeling like the event is happening again)
* Nightmares (either of the event or of other frightening things)
* Feelings of intense distress when reminded of the trauma
* Intense physical reactions to reminders of the event (e.g. pounding heart, rapid breathing, nausea, muscle tension, sweating)

PTSD symptoms of avoidance and emotional numbing

* Avoiding activities, places, thoughts, or feelings that remind you of the trauma
* Inability to remember important aspects of the trauma
* Loss of interest in activities and life in general
* Feeling detached from others and emotionally numb
* Sense of a limited future (you don’t expect to live a normal life span, get married, have a career)

PTSD symptoms of increased arousal

* Difficulty falling or staying asleep
* Irritability or outbursts of anger
* Difficulty concentrating
* Hypervigilance (on constant “red alert”)
* Feeling jumpy and easily startled

Other common symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder

* Anger and irritability
* Guilt, shame, or self-blame
* Substance abuse
* Depression and hopelessness
* Suicidal thoughts and feelings
* Feeling alienated and alone
* Feelings of mistrust and betrayal
* Headaches, stomach problems, chest pain