PTSD symptoms some people with a therapy abuse case experience include intrusive memories or flashbacks, trouble sleeping, excessive worry, and depression. PTSD or post-traumatic stress disorder affects people differently, so no two patients will have the same experience.
If you are healing from an abusive situation involving a therapist, consider talking with a licensed mental health professional who can help you process your thoughts and feelings. When you are ready, you could file a claim or lawsuit to recover damages, and a personal injury attorney who handles therapist abuse cases can help.
What Is Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD)?
Post-traumatic stress disorder is a mental health condition people can develop after a traumatic event, whether they experienced it firsthand or saw or heard about someone else’s experience. PTSD symptoms after therapy abuse can vary widely, depending on the patient and the type of abuse.
A traumatic event can be a single occurrence or a combination of multiple events. It is usually associated with war veterans, but anyone can develop it after surviving a distressing situation. This includes natural disasters, sexual violence, physical abuse or violence, emotional abuse, or a car accident.
People With PTSD Process Stress Differently
How people with PTSD process their stress is challenging to determine. Some patients have PTSD symptoms immediately after an event, while others may not have them for years, long after the traumatic event occurs. Sometimes a person with ongoing PTSD may feel like they are suddenly developing new and more severe symptoms. They may not realize that an earlier encounter is causing the issues they currently feel.
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Common PTSD Symptoms Therapy Abuse Clients Can Experience
The following are signs that someone could have PTSD:
- Recurring intrusive memories or flashbacks
- Difficulty sleeping or nightmares
- Loneliness or feelings of isolation
- Outbursts of anger
- Avoidant behaviors, such as blocking out thoughts or avoiding places that are reminders of a traumatic event
- Anxiety, feelings of being worried
- Depression, guilt, or extreme sadness
How Can PTSD Symptoms Be Treated After a Therapy Abuse Case?
If you are seeking professional treatment for PTSD, the American Psychology Association (APA) offers several treatment recommendations. You should talk with your clinician to determine which therapy is right for you. They may be more comfortable practicing one treatment approach over another.
Managing PTSD After Therapy Abuse Is Important
Moving forward with a therapy case can be overwhelming for some people. It can be challenging to pursue a case against an abuser, and many therapists understand that taking legal action can aggravate a client’s PTSD symptoms.
If you know you have a claim against your therapist, you can tell your attorney if you feel uncomfortable and that the situation upsets your PTSD symptoms.
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Four Therapies for PTSD
While several types of therapies can treat PTSD, the APA lists four it states are effective in treating this anxiety disorder.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on connecting thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. The idea is that by targeting one area, a person can change and improve their behavior in another problem area.
Cognitive Processing Therapy
Cognitive processing therapy (CPT) is a short-term treatment that runs over 12 therapeutic sessions. It challenges patients to change their trauma-related beliefs to better process the events that occurred. CPT can also improve their understanding and reduce the trauma’s negative impact on the patients’ ongoing activities.
Cognitive Therapy
This therapy aims to modify the patient’s pessimistic thoughts, memories, and viewpoints of the traumatic event. The goal is to interrupt the disruptive thought patterns that can interfere with life activities. Typically, this therapy lasts weekly for a minimum of three months but can occur in group settings.
Prolonged Exposure
Prolonged exposure treatment is also a form of CBT. It teaches patients that their memories, feelings, and other anxieties about a situation can be reduced. For nearly three months, the patient is engaged in limited exposure for up to two hours to allow them time to process the trauma. Prolonged exposure therapy can help patients realize their memories cause them more fear than the actual event.
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Can I Seek Legal Help if I Have PTSD From Therapist Abuse?
Katie Kerner, Partner
Yes. If you believe you were in an abusive situation involving your therapist, you can seek legal help for a PTSD diagnosis. An attorney can help you recover damages that can pay for your PTSD therapy and other related costs.
At Jenner Law, we know that after your trust was violated, it took great courage to reach out to try to get help again. We want to help you.
Call Jenner Law Today for Help With a Therapy Abuse Case
Call Jenner Law if you have questions about a therapist abuse case, and we will discuss your legal options. We offer a free, safe, and confidential space for complimentary case consultations, and we respect your privacy. We understand that it can be difficult for victims to come forward. At Jenner Law, we protect injured victims, and we will protect you. Let us help you on your road to recovery.
Call or text (888) 585-2188 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form