Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD for short, is a condition that arises as a chronic reaction to an excessive burden that we do not have the capacity to cope with at a given moment. In other words, the trauma itself overwhelms us at a given moment, and if the body does not have the opportunity to process it naturally, PTSD can develop over time.

Traumatic events can be one-time events, such as a serious accident, natural disaster, or sexual assault. However, PTSD often results from long-term or repeated threats, such as a lack of safety in childhood, long-term psychological or physical abuse, abuse, or neglect.

The difference between acute reaction and PTSD

Immediately after a traumatic event, an acute stress reaction usually occurs – it is a natural, physiological response of the body and psyche to extreme stress. It is not an illness. The organism is trying to deal with something that has threatened it or exceeded its capabilities.

However, if these problems persist for more than four weeks, we are already talking about the possible development of post-traumatic stress disorder. According to the ICD-10 classification, the four-week limit is the defining point between a natural reaction and a chronic disorder.

How PTSD can manifest itself

• Intrusive memories, nightmares, flashbacks
• Severe anxiety, irritability, emotional hypersensitivity
• Flashes of fear or panic for no apparent reason
• Insomnia, exhaustion, difficulty concentrating
• Avoiding places, people, or situations that remind you of the trauma
• Feelings of alienation, numbness, "disconnection" from oneself or reality
• Physical discomfort without an obvious cause – pain, tension, digestive problems

PTSD can significantly disrupt a person's daily life, relationships, and sense of self. Sometimes it develops immediately after an event, sometimes weeks or months later. It can be "hidden" for a long time - and yet it significantly affects behavior, emotions, and physical experience.

How we can help you at NEO Center

At NEO Center, we provide a safe space for working with trauma . Our goal is not to evoke memories that can re-injure – but to support the client in integrating the traumatic experience so that the body and psyche can gradually process and release it.

Individual therapy

Our therapists use approaches that are gentle, respectful, and focused on stabilization, safety, and gradual integration. As part of therapy, you can:

• strengthen the ability to be in the present moment,
• reconnect with your body,
• acquire tools for regulating emotional states,
• restore a sense of security in one's own body and space,
• strengthen your boundaries and self-esteem.

Residential care

In cases where trauma severely interferes with daily functioning, it may be appropriate to choose a residential form of therapy . This allows for:

• temporarily detach from the stressors of the everyday environment,
• safely stabilize the condition,
• work more intensively on trauma integration,
• experience support and a peaceful environment suitable for the sensitive healing process.

The residency program also includes the possibility of guided practice of Vipassana meditation , which helps develop calm and open attention and contributes to calming the mind and body.

Expert methods: EMDR and trauma-sensitive yoga

At the NEO Center, we use approaches when working with PTSD that respect the sensitivity of the traumatized nervous system. Specifically, these include:

• EMDR therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) – a method that allows for the gentle processing of traumatic experiences through bilateral stimulation while strengthening the client's internal resources.
• Trauma-sensitive yoga – a simple form of movement work that helps you reconnect with your body without overexerting yourself. The emphasis is on perception, safety, and free choice.

These approaches help to gradually integrate trauma at the level of the body, emotions, and consciousness - without the need to relive it in detail.

Even pain has its own process – and you don't have to bear it alone.

Trauma changes the way we see ourselves, our relationships, and the world. It often leaves us feeling like we’ll never be “okay” again. But change is possible—and it often starts with the opportunity to be safe and feel like we’re not alone.

At NEO Center, we will guide you on the path to healing at a pace that you determine yourself. With respect for your story, with an emphasis on trust, stability, and the gradual building of inner balance.