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A red tower block from Fantastic Day Therapy in Spalding

Stop being held hostage by PTSD (when your brain's running more disaster scenarios than Netflix's drama department)

Oh, there you are, your brain running its millionth security check, while your anxiety keeps serving up fresh worries on a silver platter. (At least you're keeping busy with all that catastrophic thinking, eh?)

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Let's talk about PTSD - and no, we don't mean that time you watched your teenager attempt parallel parking. Though between us, that probably deserves its own diagnostic category. 

Important: If you're currently experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact:

  • Ambulance or Police: 999

  • Your local NHS Crisis Team

  • NHS 111

  • The Samaritans: 116 123

Pick your particular hyper-vigilance

The classic edition

"Standard PTSD" - although there's nothing standard about how your brain feels

This type of trauma is generally triggered by a single event that your brain's filed under "nope, never again, thank you very much". 

And it can be a teeny tiny event or a great big event - there's very little rhyme or reason to it at all. 

The directors cut

Complex PTSD (aka cPTSD)

For when life decides to make things extra spicy. Usually from a long-term situation where walking on eggshells was less a careful choice and more an Olympic sport you never signed up for. (And you thought "living with" your anxiety was demanding enough without adding trauma management)

The out-of-body experience

Dissociative PTSD

Ever felt like you're watching your life like it's a slightly boring episode of EastEnders? That's dissociation - your brain's way of saying "I'm just going to step out for a bit".

 

(Except it's less like going to the shop and more floating somewhere near the ceiling). 

Vic Paterson hypnotherapist looking up.JPG

What's actually happening up there?

Your brain's basically turned into that overenthusiastic security guard who tackles someone for sneezing too loudly. Sure, it's trying to protect you, but it's got the sensitivity settings stuck on DEFCON 1 for everything from actual dangers to someone dropping a spoon in Sainsbury's. 

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Think of it as your mind's version of having an overzealous butler who insists on checking under every bed for monsters, even though you're 47 and live in Spalding. (Last time I checked, the scariest thing in Spalding was the queue at Iceland on pension day)

What the NHS offers (besides a waiting list longer than the queue for the last Greggs vegan sausage roll)

  • CBT (Eventually. Maybe. If the stars align)

  • Various medications (Which can help. A bit like putting a plaster on a broken leg - it's something)

  • Talking therapy (Just as soon as they finish talking to everyone who joined the list in 2019)

REAL WORDS FROM REAL PEOPLE

I went to see Vic with my PTSD after a riding accident, this had affected everything in my life, from leaving the house, riding my horse and driving the lorry, I had forgot how to smile, I left my session feeling lighter! Smiling like a Cheshire Cat, but god was I tired ! Next day I was due to work, lorry driving, I did a 13 hr day, no PTSD thoughts, normally there could be 20, at least!!

Tracy E.

A picture of a red phone box from Fantastic Day Therapy in Spalding

How I can help you with your PTSD

Let's be honest. PTSD, in any of its flavours, is a biggie. Having been diagnosed in the past with cPTSD, I use techniques that I wish had been around to help me when I needed it, but your mileage may vary. 

Techniques I use include: 
 

Ready to demote your brain from Chief of Security?

Let's start with:
 

  • Free 15 minute chat (no life story required)

  • If we click, you get a booking link

  • Two initial sessions (£99 each, 90 - 120 minutes), available in person in Spalding, Lincs or online world-wide 

  • More if you need them, but only if actually useful

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Although I offer therapy online worldwide, with PTSD and cPTSD issues, I prefer to work in person. 

DEEP & MEANINGFUL MOMENT:

"The thing about remembering is that you don't forget."

John Wick (although he handled it slightly differently than I recommend in therapy)

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