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PTSD Treatment using Art Therapy

a spectrum of psycho-emotions and physio pathological consequences

By Shanie WalkerPublished 3 years ago 5 min read
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repressed visions

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disorder which results from the experience or witnessing of traumatic or life-threatening events. The stress resulting from traumatic events triggers a spectrum of psycho-emotions and physio pathological consequences. PTSD also has profound psychobiological links, which can damage a person's existence and be life threatening. (Iribarren, Prolo, Neagos, and Chiappelli, 2005). PTSD Trauma treatment, (2010-2014) enlightens patients that suffer trauma, at times cannot express themselves through words to explicate their post-traumatic emotions. Sometimes words are imprisoned within a person’s unconscious, restricting them from verbalizing their emotions. To heal, patients need to express their emotions, work through them, and regain a positive focus. Some patients with PTSD can find a way to heal by expressing themselves through art. Art Therapy is an accepted intervention that insures effective and efficacious treatment for the benefit of the patient.

post-traumatic emotions

PTSD is a psychiatric disorder resultant of traumatic events such as, terrorist attack, violent crime and abuse, military combat, natural disasters, serious accidents or violent personal assaults. Recent research proposes art therapy to be effectual in PTSD recovery because creativity takes place in the same part of the brain as visual memories. The right-brain hemisphere develops artistic creation and as well stores visual memories. Researchers suggest that as the right-brain is engaged from art, it is more closely connected with repressed visions stored in the matching part of the brain. Through art therapy the patient can immerse these images onto paper, clay, or with another creative art medium. Legg, (2017) offers when PTSD triggers it causes symptoms comparable to re-experiences of the trauma, panic or anxiety, irritable or reactivity, memory lapses, and numbness or dissociation. Iribarren, Prolo, Neagos, and Chiappelli, (2005) says PTSD sufferers frequently relive their experiences through nightmares and flashbacks, and has difficulty sleeping. Their behaviour becomes increasingly detached or estranged and often is provoked by related disorders of depression, substance abuse, problematic memory and cognition. This disorder can lead to an impaired ability to function in social or family life, which often results in occupational instability, marital problems and divorces, family discord and complications with parenting. If PTSD disorder is severe enough and long lasting it can harm the person's daily life and, in extreme cases has suicidal tendencies. PTSD is marked by clear biological changes and psychological symptoms that can consequently complicate a variety of other problems by physical and mental health (Iribarren, Prolo, Neagos, and Chiappelli, 2005).

creative expression

Curtis, (2019) offers, Art therapist’s use creative mediums like drawing, painting, colouring, and sculpture for PTSD recovery. Subsequently, Art provides a successful outlet for clients when words fail. Art expression helps clients identify coping strategies and internal strengths to aid the healing process. The client may create collages of images representing internal strengths. When clients examine their feelings and thoughts about trauma they could make a mask or drawing to portray their feelings and discuss it. Art can also build grounding and coping skills by photographing pleasant objects. This can help tell the client’s story of trauma by creating a graphic timeline. Through art medium methods the client can integrate art into therapy to address the person’s whole experience. This is critical with PTSD because trauma is not experienced just through words.

art safely gives voice

The National Institute for Trauma for Loss in Children, explains Art therapy works because it provides an alternative, equally effective outlet for expression. Art expression is a powerful way to safely contain and create separation from the terrifying experience of trauma. PTSD experts suggest, “art safely gives voice to and makes a survivor’s experience of emotions, thoughts, and memories visible when words are insufficient”. Sholt, and Gavron, Haifa, Israel, (2006) investigates the subject of “clay and object loss”, connecting, loss and art therapy, particularly clay-work presented in numerous studies. Therapists have found that people in mourning and suffering loss can use clay-work to express agony, anger, and frustration acted out on the lump of clay. Clay can be utilized for recreation of imagery of the loss. The inner image of the lost person may be brought to life, and the client can face his or her deep feelings and fantasies. To facilitate expression of emotions, clay-work can enable a client’s expression of feelings quickly because of the tactile quality of the clay. This allows haptic involvement and rhythmical movements that accompany clay work that presents powerful emotions which formerly were inaccessible to the client (Sholt, and Gavron, Haifa, Israel, 2006).

healing nightmares, depression, anxiety, insomnia and pain

Sholt, and Gavron, Haifa, Israel, (2006) reviews, the phenomenon of facilitating verbal communications, resulting from several clinical examples; “patients who brought clay products to their therapeutic sessions, the presence of their symbolic figures often facilitated the patients’ verbal associations”. That is, verbal communication became easier and the patients’ prospect of emotional experience and insight improved in the therapeutic-situation. While, Lobban, (2016) confers, art therapy studies emerging from the US on veterans and serving members, examine art therapy as a treatment for psychological injuries connected to the military service and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The outcome concludes: symptom reduction; building resilience; increased insight; minimizing social isolation; improved coping; and positive emotional stimulus. Like other studies mentioned, relating PTSD disorder and Art therapy, suggest the benefit is to those who might not be able to engage purely in a verbal treatment approach. Evidence shows better outcomes using a mixture of cognitive processing therapy (CBT), and Art therapy rather than CBT alone. In addition, neuroscience propositions art therapy can be used to assist recovery structurally. Imaging technology and biological pointers are used to gather empirical evidence, offering alternatives to self-report measures and narratives, which originally formed the substance of art therapy research (Lobban, 2016).

symbolic figures facilitate verbal associations

In sum, creative expression using Art therapy helps heal patients with PTSD. Art therapy is useful for children with PTSD, having limited vocabulary and a lesser sense of verbal expression to an adult. Through painting, chalk, crayons, or markers, young children can draw themselves and others in circumstances that haunt them. Pain, insecurity, and fear are exposed in Crayola tears, grimaces, and colour. Additionally, Art therapy is an entry to healing in treatment of PTSD for soldiers or adults that have experienced horrific trauma and loss. University’s Department of Creative Arts Therapies, convey art is a medium to help individuals or groups by using a variety of art materials to heal nightmares, anxiety, depression, pain, loneliness, and insomnia, furthermore, artwork can bring clients together to discuss and share emotion.

References

Art Therapy, (2007-2019). Retrieved from http://www.arttherapyblog.com/c/ptsd/#.XKqmeOgzaUl

Fighting for a Future, (2019). Supporting survivors of childhood abuse and complex PTSD: Art therapy and PTSD. Retrieved from https://youwillbearwitness.com/2019/01/27/art-therapy-and-ptsd-2/

Iribarren, J, Prolo, P, Neagos, N, Chiappelli, F. (2005). Post-traumatic stress disorder: evidence-based research for the third millennium. US National Library of Medicine, 2(4), 503-12.

Legg, T., (2017). Healing invisible wounds: Art therapy and PTSD. Healthline Media

Lobban, J. (2016). Art therapy for military veterans with PTSD: A transatlantic study. Burdett Trust for Nursing.

PTSD Trauma Treatment, (2010-2014). Post-traumatic stress disorder information; Art therapy for PTSD. elements Behavioural Health

Sholt, M., & Gavron. T., Haifa, Israel, (2006). Therapeutic qualities of clay-work in art therapy and psychotherapy: A review. Art therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association, 23(2), 66-72.

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About the Creator

Shanie Walker

Shanie Walker is a Holistic Behavioural Therapist, awards, and honours in Art Therapy, Dialectic and CBT. Shanie is a Psychologist and Registered Professional Hypnotherapist. Accredited Nutritionist, and Master Degree in Fitness.

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