cPTSD - ANNA

Anna was in her mid 40’s when she came to Gray Matters. She had a successful career and a seemingly happy and well-adjusted family. But behind her outward appearance of success was the emotional legacy of a childhood scarred by trauma. Anna was sexually abused by her grandfather over a number of years as a child. She also witnessed her mother’s physical abuse of her younger brother, and the emotional abuse of her younger sister.

As a successful adult overcoming the horrors of her childhood, Anna could never shake a feeling of ever-present underlying fear. Nor did she ever feel truly comfortable or at peace. Anna had been in and out of therapy for over 20 years, and on and off various medications. Despite her determined self-improvement, Anna continued to fight an urge to abuse alcohol and enjoy the temporary relief it provided.

Anna was initially assessed in March 2022, using advanced SW LORETA qEEG. Consistent with her diagnosis of cPTSD and the emotional differences implied, her profile was almost identical to Ross (a Marine returning from a war zone). The emotional areas of her brain were stuck at more than 2 standard deviations from normal. Anna began a program of SW LORETA neurofeedback to calm these areas.

When we reassessed Anna in May, after 20 neurofeedback sessions, and her brain was visibly calmer. After 40 sessions of neurofeedback, Anna’s brain was well within a normal range. She described feeling a calm that had eluded her for decades. She was finally able to relax and enjoy her family.