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This video is available in english & french on our Youtube channel (with subtitles)
According to the official data, 5% to 12% of people will be affected by Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or Post-Traumatic Syndrome BUT in reality, estimation tells us that 70% to 89% of people will suffer from PTSD in their lifetime. And unfortunately, less than 50% of them will ask for help and get their PTSD treated.
Why ? And How to heal from PTSD and get help ?
PTSD is very poorly diagnosed, if at all, because it’s been confused with other diagnoses. Most of the time, people receive diagnoses such as : bipolarity, anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, ADHD,…
Because of that, it is poorly understood and taken care of. Too many of the people we see are being medicated for chronic anxiety, or severe depression when in reality it’s symptoms and not causes, that point to the presence of PTSD.
Our clients often arrive with the complaint: I’ve tried everything and nothing works or gives me any relief. This is normal : the cause has not been properly taken care of.
Trauma can have a profound impact on a person’s life, and for those who suffer from PTSD or C-PTSD, the effects can be debilitating. Traditional treatments such as therapy and medication may not always be effective, leaving many feeling hopeless. However, there is a promising alternative : neurofeedback.
Using technology and EEG, neurofeedback targets and corrects the dysregulated brain activity that often accompanies these disorders, such as excess beta waves (hyperarousal, anxiety) or deficient alpha waves (inability to relax). Neurofeedback helps to reduce symptoms by promoting more balanced brain function, improving emotional regulation, and reducing stress responses. It help to retrain the brain, providing relief from PTSD symptoms and improving overall mental well-being.
Curious about how a Neurofeedback session unfolds? Consult the page Neurofeedback →
Neurofeedback directly targets the symptoms of PTSD at their root : the brain. It allows to :
We have very good results with client suffering PTSD and trauma. You can read the review on Google and Trust Index if you are interested knowing their experiences.
On the scientific side : several studies have demonstrated the potential and benefits of neurofeedback for PTSD and C-PTSD, classifying it as a good treatment solution. Here are some of them :
More references and studies references at the end of the page here.
To evaluate the state of your brain, find out what a qEEG brainmap assessment is. Brainmap →
PTSD and C-PTSD are conditions that requires action on several fronts : on the mind (via therapy with a psychologist, hypnosis), the body (via a psychiatrist, sometimes with medication, TBRE…) and the nervous system (neurofeedback, vagus nerve stimulation and polyvagal theory…).
In some countries, there are other solutions such as assistance dogs/therapeutic dogs to help people suffering from severe PTSD symptoms like panic attack.
The vagus nerve plays a huge role in PTSD symptoms and recovery ; definitely something you need to look at (advice : read more about the work from Dr Porges).
source : done by the movement paradigm
This explain the Polyvagal theory and all the links between the feeling / symptoms / state when you suffer from PTSD compare to when you are in a safety mode.
PTSD has multiple facets and can hide under many symptoms !
Effects on Relationships
Effects on Work
This leads to an overactivation of the Periaqueductal grey matter : a set of neurons involved in pain, defence and avoidance reactions.
Trauma-related symptoms are due to a dysfunction of somatic sensory processing in the brainstem, affecting physiological modulation, regulation and cognitive abilities (read Breanne Kearney & Ruth Lanius).
We also know that the cerebellum plays an important role, because it is involved in fear prediction, learning and affect, emotion, cognition. For example, a study from Rabellino & al (2018) shows us :
The studies from Gil-Paterna & Furmark (2023) found out that the vermis and left cerebellum are overactivated at baseline in PTSD. And that there is a cerebellar hyperactivity commonly reported in the culmen and vermis when you have PTSD.
PTSD leads to an increased release of neurotransmitters :
PTSD was described since Antiquity but recognized and defined for the first time in 1980 (Vietnam war, US veterans). Because after that war, there was 150 000 suicides from veterans : 3x more than the number of soldiers killed during the war (40 000 for USA). This discovery intrigued doctors, especially when they found similar symptom profiles between a war veteran and a young woman who had been raped. This opened up a whole new field of research and led to the creation of the diagnosis of trauma, PTSD and C-PTSD. It was also the beginning of a new era for psychiatry and medication with new molecules discovered to try to help people with trauma.
If you try to find data about PTSD : you will only find data for the USA, almost nothing in Europe. A quick look on Pubmed : about 50 000 studies on PTSD.
In Europe : we found around 1500 studies.
In France : 500 studies only and more than half are done after 2010 ! Because in 2015 there were terrorist attacks. Only one study was made after that event, and the results state that:
Before 2015, you will find very few data…
On the internet : not really ; you will never get a diagnosis with a quick questionnaire online. For a diagnosis, please contact a trauma therapist/counselor, a psychologist or psychiatrist specialising in PTSD.
You can also look at Felitti’s work (1998) : he studied the link between child abuse & its effect on health status and quality of life in adulthood. During a study of an anti-obesity program, he had a dropout rate of more than 50%, despite the weight loss of the participants out of 17,000 participants. The question was : Why ?! And the answer was : because of Trauma during their life !
Learn more about Kaiser ACE Study: https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/aces/about.html
What is an Adverse Childhood Experience: https://www.cdc.gov/aces/about/index.html
Yes there is different types of PTSD. The main difference between PTSD and C-PTSD (Complex PTSD) lies in the nature of the trauma and the symptoms experienced :
Yes, children can develop PTSD after experiencing or witnessing trauma. Symptoms may manifest differently than in adults, including changes in behavior, difficulty sleeping, and increased anxiety. You can have PTSD from abandonment trauma, childhood trauma, emotional abuse…
No, PTSD and trauma are not the same. Trauma refers to the event or experience that causes extreme distress or harm, while PTSD is a mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing trauma. Not everyone who experiences trauma will develop PTSD.
Yes, if left untreated, PTSD symptoms can worsen over time. Individuals may experience increased anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues. Early intervention and treatment can help manage symptoms.
PTSD can be triggered when a person is reminded of a traumatic event, either through sights, sounds, smells, or other sensory experiences. Triggers vary from person to person but can include anniversaries of the trauma, similar situations, or even unrelated stress. These triggers can cause intense emotional or physical reactions like flashbacks, anxiety, or panic attacks.
PTSD is diagnosed by a mental health professional through a comprehensive evaluation. This includes discussing the individual’s symptoms, which must be present for at least one month and involve re-experiencing the trauma (flashbacks, nightmares), avoidance of reminders of the trauma, negative thoughts and mood changes, and heightened arousal (e.g., being easily startled). The criteria are based on guidelines in the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders).
Yes, people with PTSD can live a fulfilling and productive life with appropriate treatment and support. Although PTSD symptoms can be challenging, many people manage their symptoms successfully and build coping strategies that allow them to engage in everyday activities.
There is no outright cure for PTSD, but it can be managed. Many people experience significant relief from symptoms through treatment, leading to a better quality of life. Some individuals may no longer meet the criteria for PTSD after treatment, but others might continue to experience symptoms from time to time.
The duration of PTSD varies from person to person. Some individuals may recover within a few months, while others may experience symptoms for years. With effective treatment, many find relief from their symptoms.
Though this is less common, in some cases PTSD can cause hallucinations. People with PTSD may experience flashbacks that feel intensely real, almost like a hallucination. In severe cases, trauma survivors may also develop co-occurring disorders like dissociation or psychotic symptoms, including hallucinations.
Although psychosis is not a core symptom of PTSD, severe cases of PTSD can sometimes be accompanied by psychotic symptoms. These may include delusions or hallucinations, especially in individuals with complex PTSD or co-existing mental health conditions like depression or substance abuse.
Yes, individuals with PTSD may experience physical health problems, including chronic pain, gastrointestinal issues, and increased risk of cardiovascular disease, partly due to stress and anxiety.
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Books available in French and English under different names ; we strongly advice you to read Bessel Van Der Kolk and Sebern Fisher.
We are not doctors or psychiatrists. Therefore, we do not diagnose, we do not prescribe medication, we do not cure illnesses and we are not an emergency center. We often help people reduce or even stop their medication in agreement with the health professional who follows you. Please note that you do not need a prescription or a diagnosis to make an appointment at Neurofeedback Luxembourg.