PTSD Self-help
Relief from PTSD Symptoms
A collection of resources to help you to understand how trauma affects your brain and nervous system.
According to polyvagal theory, the nervous system has three pathways it can follow in the face of a threat: Ventral Vagal, Sympathetic and Dorsal Vagal (see the image below). By mapping your nervous system in relation to these pathways, you can better understand when your nervous system is going into "defence mode", begin to identify …
This guide by Deb Dana is a beginner's guide to Polyvagal Theory, which explains how our autonomic nervous system works and how it affects our daily lives. The autonomic nervous system has three parts: the dorsal vagal system, the sympathetic branch, and the ventral vagal system. Each part is associated with different states of being, …
This video explains Polyvagal Theory in simple language.
The brain plays an important role in processing and experiencing emotions. Emotions are complexpsychological and physiological responses to external stimuli that can influence our behaviour,thoughts, and physical sensations. Understanding what is happening in the brain when you experience a strong emotion can help you to know what to do to self-regulate.
In this video, renowned psychiatrist Bessel van der Kolk explains the difference between stress and trauma.
This animated video from the EMDR Association of Australia (EMDRAA) explains what EMDR Therapy is, how it was created, and what happens in an EMDR Therapy session.
Learn about how EMDR therapy works, what it is like, and how widely it is recognised. In this video from the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA), EMDR therapists discuss how EMDR therapy works and discuss the feedback they receive from clients.
This animated video from the UK Trauma Council provides a general introduction to what happens in the brain after children face traumatic experiences in childhood, such as abuse and neglect.
Traumatic events are common, and most people will experience at least one during their lives. Trauma comes in many forms and affects thousands of people every day. Most people recover with the help of family and friends, but there are effective treatments for those needing extra support. Watch this brief video from Phoenix Australia to …
This psychoeducation video from the London Trauma Specialists explains the Brain Model of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), based on Brewin, Dalgleish & Joseph's (1996) Dual Representation Theory.
This animated video from the EMDR Association UK (EMDR UK) explains a little about EMDR Therapy and is useful if you are consider whether EMDR therapy is suitable for you.
