Post Traumatic Stress Disorder has been with us for a long time:  Homer wrote about it in the ODYSSEY.   Now, in the United States, it is fast becoming one of the most important public health concerns we face.  A large percentage of returning veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan are suffering with this condition; a tragic aspect is the fact that many in the military do not ask for help because of institutionalized strictures against such action. It is not only those who have been in combat, however, who develop PTSD: anyone who has been the victim of a violent crime, of abuse, of displacement (homelessness, foster care) can have similar reactions and symptoms.   Therefore it is most important that EVERYONE feel it possible for them to seek help and improvement, whether they are a combat veteran or a victim of domestic violence.  Fear of being judged by one's peers or community cannot be allowed to prevent people from seeking aid, especially when dealing with PTSD, where social ramifications such as violence and maladaptive behavior can be the frequent result.

Currently there are several treatment models being tried; one element that is crucial is community.  The individual must feel safe and understood by those around him or her in order to relax, however briefly, the hyper-vigilance PTSD often generates.  Intrusive thoughts and feelings can make daily functioning as much of a nightmare as sleeping and dreaming often are.   It also seems as though many modalities must be coordinated to promote the best possible healing outcome.  What can a person do when initially trying to work through not only the enormous problems of the disorder, but the maze of information about its treatment? 

My personal experience is that, in fact, flower essences can be of enormous help.  There aren't any quick fixes or cure-alls when a person's brain and vital soul have been injured in such a manner.  It can take a long time to regroup, to recognize what is in the actual now and what is a memory putting itself forth as reality.  While many in the mainstream medical community completely dismiss the possible effectiveness of flower essences, practitioners report modest and continuing successes with them.  While we may not- and don't- know the ins and outs of how the brain truly functions, with abilities to repattern and heal itself, retrain and regain function, the research and literature is out there showing us what is possible and where we may be able to go in the future.  In the meantime, the flowers are powerful, non-invasive, non-chemical aids to regaining emotional balance and the ability to RESPOND to situations and not simply REACT. So, for a very simple example I have seen myself over time, a backfiring car or similar loud noise can be returned to its original annoying self, and not automatically switch the body into survival mode.  The more gains of this nature an individual can make, the more potential to heal the deep and unimaginable wounds that lie buried far below, and the better chance for a range of other therapies to take root and help.  The energetic repatterning and cleaning that the flower essences, and essential oils, work with, can be an inestimable and gentle aid to any person who is enduring this very painful burden.  We may never be able to go back to where we were before such an experience affects us.  We are, though, able to integrate it and learn from it and move on as our wiser selves.

In my work I have seen that, in addition to the more common oral dosage, topical applications of the essences, and using them in baths, can be quite effective with deeply pained and troubled individuals in a variety of difficult situations, and I often wonder why more people don't take advantage of this simple and beautiful offering from nature.