Can a weighted blanket help with PTSD?

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Post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD occurs immediately or months after experiencing a traumatic event. It may even show up many years later. Fear, anxiety and emotional stress give rise to sleep disturbances which can negatively affect your work and family life.

Those who have PTSD experience flashbacks, nightmares, insomnia, emotional numbness and distress, they are easily angered and feel jumpy and alert all of the time.

According to ptsduk.org  it’s important to understand that PTSD is considered to be a psychological injury rather than a mental illness.

Neuroanatomical studies have identified changes in major brain structures of those with PTSD — the amygdala and hippocampus – showing that there are significant physical changes within the brain as a result of trauma.

These brain changes from PTSD, particularly if not diagnosed yet, can make life seem very confusing, and understanding your own mind can become almost impossible.

 

As the PTSD Journal reports, using a weighted blanket not only helps with PTSD and anxiety, but also stress, insomnia and many other conditions. This is crucial for those who may find themselves experiencing over-tiredness, hyper vigilance and raised cortisol levels at bedtime.

 

Relaxation techniques, prescription medication and group therapy are typical treatments for PTSD, but using a PrettySpecial weighted blanket can assist with a natural way to curb mood swings and restore your sleep.

The weighted blanket molds to your body like a nice, warm hug. The Deep Touch Pressure (DTP) also helps relax the nervous system and is an effective non-drug therapy alternative.  Equivalent to the benefits of a massage, the pressure applied to the body encourages the natural production of serotonin.

Psychiatric, trauma, geriatric, and paediatric hospital units use weighted blankets to calm a patient’s anxiety and promote deep, restful sleep. Crescent Clinic in Cape Town has been actively using our weighted blankets as a means to calm patients while doing group or one on one therapy.

 

For more information or to order your PrettySpecial weighted blanket, please go to our order form, or simply email us directly at info@prettyspecial.co.za, we deliver straight to your door, throughout South Africa.