What is PTSD?

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disorder that may occur in people who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event, series of events or set of circumstances.
https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/ptsd/what-is-ptsd

Symptoms:

Symptoms of the disorder can be terrifying and may disrupt your life. It may be hard just to get through the day.

PTSD symptoms usually start soon after the traumatic event, but they may not happen until months or years later. They also may come and go over many years. If the symptoms last longer than 4 weeks, cause you great distress, or interfere with your work or home life, you probably have PTSD.

There are four types of symptoms:

Reliving the event (also called re-experiencing symptoms):
Bad memories of the traumatic event can come back at any time. You may feel the same fear and horror you did when the event took place. You may have nightmares. You even may feel like you’re going through the event again. This is called a flashback. Sometimes there is a trigger: a sound or sight that causes you to relive the event.

Avoiding situations that remind you of the event:
You may try to avoid situations or people that trigger memories of the traumatic event. You may even avoid talking or thinking about the event. This can often prevent someone from seeking help. 

Feeling numb:
You may find it hard to express your feelings. This is another way to avoid memories. You may not have positive or loving feelings toward other people and may stay away from relationships. You may not be interested in activities you used to enjoy. You may forget about parts of the traumatic event or not be able to talk about them.

Feeling keyed up:
You may be jittery, or always alert and on the lookout for danger. This is known as hyperarousal. It can cause you to:

Suddenly become angry or irritable
Have a hard time sleeping
Have trouble concentrating
Fear for your safety and always feel on guard
Be very startled when someone surprises you

Other Problems:

People with PTSD may also develop other problems. These include:

· Drinking or drug problems
· Feelings of hopelessness, shame, or despair
· Employment problems
· Relationships problems including divorce and violence
· Physical symptoms

https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/what/ptsd_basics.asp

What is Equine Therapy?

Equine therapy has been used to treat anxiety, ADHD, eating disorders, addiction, depression, and many other mental health conditions, and, in addition to targeting symptoms of those disorders, is theorized to help patients build confidence, self-awareness, and empathy.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapy-types/equine-assisted-therapy#how-it-works

Can horses actually help?

While engaging in activities with the horse, the client will attempt to recognize how the horse’s behaviors might be due to their own emotional signals—a client who is angry or anxious, for example, may see the horse pull away or otherwise respond negatively.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapy-types/equine-assisted-therapy#how-it-works

https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/index.asp

If you or someone you may know is in immediate need of professional help, by calling *988 or by visiting 988lifeline.org, free and immediate services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You are seen, loved, heard, valued, and are worthy.