Divorce is a painful, stressful, and oftentimes traumatic event in the lives of those affected by it. Anxiety and depression are common for the spouses and even the children involved when two people divorce. Many people reach out to therapists, friends, and family to help them work through the pain and learn to live with what has happened. This is a normal part of the grieving and recovery process. But for some individuals, the trauma that they have endured from their divorce reaches much deeper and cannot be healed through talk therapy alone.
When Jane’s Divorce Changed Her Life
This was the case for Jane, a fifty-six-year-old woman who had divorced from her husband eighteen years ago. Even though she had been through numerous counselors, she was still suffering and encountering the wounds of her divorce as if no time had passed at all. “I had been suffering from a lot of anxiety, depression and nagging, repetitive thoughts since then,” said Jane. “Those old tapes played over and over in my head.”
Jane had seen multiple counselors over the years, trying to get to the root of why she couldn’t move past the pain of her divorce nearly two decades later. She was stuck, unable to move forward with her life even though she desperately wanted to heal. “I had tried talk therapy, EFT, etc,” said Jane. “If they had told me that to feel better I should stand on my head and spin around, I would have given that a try as well!”
Jane’s Struggle With PTSD
Finally, one of her therapists suggested looking at her pain through a new approach and suggested that Jane might have Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, otherwise known as PTSD.
PTSD is characterized by severe anxiety following a traumatic event. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares, and, in Jane’s case, uncontrollable thoughts about the event. PTSD can be a complicated and sometimes confusing disorder. While two people may experience the same exact trauma, it isn’t a guarantee that both will later suffer from PTSD. Certain risk factors such as childhood experiences, past trauma, and a family history of depression may make a person more susceptible to the disorder.
As soon as Jane’s therapist suggested that she might have PTSD, she immediately began researching the disorder on her own. Most people affected with PTSD spend years trying to come to terms with the traumatic event that happened to them. “I consider myself a lifelong learner (meaning I read a lot) and so after coming across Dr. Amen on my local PBS channel, I ordered his books and read them all,” said Jane. “They made a lot of sense and so I investigated his clinic and what could be done for PTSD.”
How Neurofeedback at Amen Clinics Provided the Help Jane Needed
Jane contacted Amen Clinics and scheduled a Full Evaluation. During her Full Evaluation, Jane’s biological, psychological, social, and spiritual histories were evaluated. She also received a sophisticated neuropsychological test measuring how her brain was currently functioning. A brain SPECT scan was then ordered, which the clinic staff used to identify areas of the brain that were working well, areas that were working too hard, and areas that weren’t working hard enough. The findings from all of these areas were then combined and discussed with Jane.
Working with Amen Clinics, Jane began neurofeedback sessions and immediately began to feel relief. Neurofeedback is a system that provides moment-to-moment feedback of physiological functioning. It focuses specifically on the central nervous system and the brain. That means that while the patient is experiencing an emotion, feedback is given about your physical systems such as heart and respiratory rates. This connection is then used to teach the patient about control while at the same time fostering a better understanding of the impact of their emotions on their physical selves. “I could notice gradual changes in my racing thoughts and depression,” said Jane. “But the real winning component in doing feedback is that I became anxiety-free.”
Jane, who is now in recovery from PTSD said it best, “It is such a gift to be free from all of those symptoms and to be relaxed and looking forward to life. Amen Clinics made me feel so comfortable and really helped me through all of my neurofeedback sessions. What a great service they provide and how well they treat you there!”
There is hope! Amen Clinics can help. To make an appointment for a Full Evaluation for yourself or a loved one, call 888-288-9834 or visit us online!
As a Neurofeedback practitioner myself. I can certainly attest to the efficacy of this modality for PTSD. I have successfully treated many veterans and survivors of sexual abuse.
Comment by Hanno Kirk — October 16, 2017 @ 6:46 AM
When the Amen Clinic diagnosed me with a continued TBI 2 years after the accident the recommendation was hyperbaric chamber and neurofeed back for my PTSD. It changed my life. I regained my short term memory loss and moved the accident to the back burner of my life. I still have tune up sessions with my specialist when needed. Thank you Dr. Amen
Comment by Cathy Stuart — October 16, 2017 @ 7:42 AM
how country people use to heal from trauma. neat to see it in doc’s offices.
Comment by kindness heals — November 10, 2017 @ 9:29 PM
I’m confused. I don’t understand the term neurofeedback? I have seen different so-called therapist use different machines/ slash electronic units. One of them detected what nutrients I am deficient in. Sadly there is no way I could afford to visit the Amen Clinic. And I live in a city of 90,000 people in Canada. I’m not sure if we’re equipped with the same neurofeedback unit that you refer to. Is there a specific name brand of this unit. Where would I look to find someone in my city who treats and anxiety this way? Psychologist or holistic naturopaths? The last lady who used one on me also practiced with crystals?? So I’m not interested in that and would really appreciate any assistance.
Comment by Diana — February 11, 2018 @ 5:49 PM
Hello Diana. There are practitioners in Canada. I’m in Ottawa. I started doing biofeedback and neurofeedback more than 20 years ago. What you are describing is not neurofeedback (nutrients detection and crystals, etc.). Neurofeedback is based in sciences. Good luck.
Comment by Francois Dupont PhD C.Psych. — February 14, 2018 @ 7:51 PM
I have a friend who is a disabled Veteran in Newport News, Virginia. He is living on social security and not getting the care he needs for his PTSD at the local Veterans hospital. He is 75 and been severely depressed for years. He has no desire to live, but says be won’t commit suicide because of what it would do to his family. Both of his children live out of state and he lost his wife several years ago. He is much to isolated and I have tried to help him as much as possible. Is there anyone in his area that could help him and how would he afford treatments? Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Comment by Kathy — September 15, 2018 @ 5:01 AM
Interested in your programs for PTSD & deterated brain function .
Pls advise me of location,and programs are available .
Sincerely
Heather S Swoford
Comment by Heather — September 15, 2018 @ 4:32 PM
Hello Heather, thank you for reaching out. We’d love to have a Care Coordinator reach out to you via email. Here is a list of our locations: https://amenclinics.com/locations/. You should hear from us today and if you’d like to reach us directly, please call 888-288-9834. Thank you.
Comment by Amen Clinics — September 17, 2018 @ 9:38 AM
My grandson who will turn 21 is August has suffered a great deal of emotional trauma throughout his life. His parents divorced when he was 3 or 4 years old. Until he came to live with his dad at 5 he had no stability with his mother. At that time he was diagnosed with ADHD, Tourettes Syndrome and OCD. He was given Risperadal . He experienced severe hallucinations, extreme anxiety and was changed to Abilify around age 7. When he hit puberty he had significant psychological changes resulting in problems in school and with his dad and step mom. He has been with me since age 15. I am a retired RN and initially was able to better understand and deal with his problems. He got into drugs mainly OTC cold medicine, cannabis and alcohol. He was given a diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder. Treated with Geodon and Zoloft. With in a 12-15 month span he made four suicide attempts 2 requiring hospital stays. He wanted to go to the military so stopped all medication because he was told by a recruiter tha he had to be off meds for 3 years in order to join the army. Currently he has been in a state of deep depression for close to a year. Refuses counseling or medication. I believe that because of his childhood and bulling in school that he has PTSD. He totally isolated from everyone. His only friends are gaming friends that are online. I think he also has a gaming addiction that adds to his problems. He plays video games all night, sleeps all day. Rarely goes out side during day light say he cannot stand the sun. Short term memory is terrible. I have discussed the possibility of coming to the Amen Clinic and he is agreeable to getting a consult. However he is on SSI and his only insurance is through Blue Care TN. Your nearest clinic is about 4 hours away in Georgia. I don’t think we have access to SPEC here. We would appreciate any information you can provide regarding your program and the cost. My husband and I are elderly. We are concerned about his well being when we are no longer here and would like to get him on the path to independence before we pass.
Thank you
Aimee
Comment by Aimee Oakes — May 29, 2020 @ 3:12 PM