Adults Abused as Children: PTSD, Self-Anesthesia, Dissociation, Mood Disorder & Addiction

A client looks at you dully and says "yes, I've quit my addiction" but they don't seem so happy about it, as a matter of fact their mood is quite despondent. "Sure" they say, "I've been through (CBT) therapy," but they still seem disconnected with themselves. "Yes, I've been through emotional therapy," but still need work. It could be that an underlying issue still lurks.

Self-disinfranchisement. A fundamental lack of sense of self. Sometimes it's about childhood-originating PTSD. This is a complicated situation, the child's behaviors had to (mal)adapt to the chaos and or violence in the home, the brain reorganized itself around trauma, the child learns to "disown" themselves, some have learned how to self-anesthize with or without drugs, some even have had dissociative experiences in their trauma. There is much work to be done even after they are sober. We are at the core of their distress.

I use a number of methods with populations that have mood disorders + PTSD + addiction recovery. In part, where indicated, I use clinical hypnotherapy as one tool among many to help the client, who is now an adult, feel alive again and to THRIVE.

Thrive Clinical Counseling is located in Plano: 1400 Preston Road, Suite 300 near GWBush Tollway. (214) 843-7341

#childabuse #PTSD #Mood #Anxiety #Dissociation #Addiction