I see many clients who are suffering with their mental health, whether it is depression, anxiety or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). There are lots of reasons people suffer with their mental health but I find a lot of clients have trauma stored in their body. This may be from bereavement, recent trauma or lots of things building up over the years. Other clients have suffered traumatic times in their childhood. PTSD is estimated to affect about 1 in every 3 people who have a traumatic experience, but it's not clear exactly why some people develop the condition and others do not.
The NHS definition of PTSD is an anxiety disorder caused by very stressful, frightening or distressing events. This can be due to serious accidents, violent personal assaults (such as sexual assault, mugging or robbery), serious health problems, childbirth or childhood experiences. Some clients don't feel like they have had any traumas, but many behaviours can be a result of trauma. Having long work hours, not making time for oneself, always having to be good enough, or proving oneself to others can be a result of childhood experiences. Without understanding the origins of these patterns of behaviours it is difficult for life to change.