What is post-traumatic stress and what are the main symptoms ?
What is post-traumatic stress disorder and what are the main symptoms?
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health disorder that can occur in people who have been exposed to a traumatic event, such as an accident, act of violence, fire, natural disaster, war or rape. People with PTSD may have difficulty recovering from the traumatic event and returning to a normal life.
The main symptoms of PTSD include:
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health disorder that can occur in people who have been exposed to a traumatic event, such as an accident, act of violence, fire, natural disaster, war or rape. People with PTSD may have difficulty recovering from the traumatic event and returning to a normal life.
The main symptoms of PTSD include:
- Recurrent and intrusive memories of the traumatic event, which may manifest as nightmares, flashbacks or obsessive thoughts.
- Avoidance of stimuli associated with the traumatic event, which may include places, people or situations that remind one of the event.
- Mood disorders, such as depression, anxiety, anger, guilt or shame.
- Attention and memory problems, such as difficulty concentrating or remembering elements of the traumatic event
- Sleep disturbances, such as recurrent insomnia or nightmares
- Physical disturbances, such as headaches, body aches, nausea or heart palpitations
- Hypervigilance or increased reactivity to stimuli, such as excessive fear or anger reaction
Bathysmed scuba diving protocol can help to better manage post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for several reasons:
Calm and Relaxation: The peaceful and quiet underwater environment can help people with PTSD relax and focus on the present moment. The regular, deep breathing required for diving can also help reduce stress and anxiety. Bathysmed diving uses techniques derived from meditation and sophrology to stimulate stress reduction. Also, immersion offers a calm and peaceful environment that can help relax the body and mind.
Distraction: Scuba diving can provide a beneficial distraction for people with PTSD who may be obsessed with memories of the traumatic event. Focusing on oneself, one's surroundings and practicing the Bathysmed exercises helps to divert attention away from traumatic thoughts.
Sensory Stimulation: Bathysmed diving offers sensory stimulation different from that of conventional diving or the land environment, which can help break the isolation and monotony that can accompany PTSD. The sight of colorful fish, the sensation of floating in the water can help distract people from painful memories. The exercises in the different levels of Bathysmed diving help the person to better control their state of body tension and consequently, their emotions.
Sense of Control: Scuba diving can give people with PTSD a sense of control over their environment, which can help reduce anxiety and stress. Individuals may feel safer and more confident when diving with professional guidance and following safety protocols. As such, people with PTSD who have taken Bathysmed dives frequently report a greater sense of control over their environment, body and emotions.
Sense of Freedom: Scuba diving can provide a sense of freedom and emotional release for people with PTSD who may feel trapped in their own bodies and minds.
Distraction: Scuba diving can provide a beneficial distraction for people with PTSD who may be obsessed with memories of the traumatic event. Focusing on oneself, one's surroundings and practicing the Bathysmed exercises helps to divert attention away from traumatic thoughts.
Sensory Stimulation: Bathysmed diving offers sensory stimulation different from that of conventional diving or the land environment, which can help break the isolation and monotony that can accompany PTSD. The sight of colorful fish, the sensation of floating in the water can help distract people from painful memories. The exercises in the different levels of Bathysmed diving help the person to better control their state of body tension and consequently, their emotions.
Sense of Control: Scuba diving can give people with PTSD a sense of control over their environment, which can help reduce anxiety and stress. Individuals may feel safer and more confident when diving with professional guidance and following safety protocols. As such, people with PTSD who have taken Bathysmed dives frequently report a greater sense of control over their environment, body and emotions.
Sense of Freedom: Scuba diving can provide a sense of freedom and emotional release for people with PTSD who may feel trapped in their own bodies and minds.
What studies have Bathysmed conducted on post-traumatic stress and what were the results?
DivHope 2017: Post-traumatic stress in survivors of the 2015 Paris attacks
Results and publication
CogniDiv 2018 : Post-traumatic stress in military personnel returning from war zones
Results and publication (in finalization)
Management of other individuals with PTSD outside of a clinical study
Results and publication
CogniDiv 2018 : Post-traumatic stress in military personnel returning from war zones
Results and publication (in finalization)
Management of other individuals with PTSD outside of a clinical study
