ABA Therapy for PTSD

Applied behavioral analysis has long been recognized as the “gold standard” of treatments for children who have autism spectrum disorder (ASD). ABA therapy, as it’s known, is based in scientific research and evidence, and helps children on the autism spectrum develop the social, communication and daily life skills with which they typically struggle.

While ABA therapy is most closely aligned with autism as a form of treatment, it can also be used to treat a number of different disorders. One of these is PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder.

Combined with some other strategies, ABA therapy can help people who are suffering from PTSD reduce the negative reactions they have based on experiences in the past.

Below, we’ll discuss further how ABA therapy can be beneficial for those who have PTSD.

Read more: Is ABA Therapy only for Autism?

Table Of Contents

What is PTSD?

PTSD is a mental health condition resulting from witnessing or experiencing a traumatic event. In many cases, these events are considered life-threatening, such as a car crash, experiences serving in the military or childhood abuse.

Many people who experience a traumatic event will face upsetting memories and may even have trouble sleeping for a while following the event. However, people who are diagnosed with PTSD experience symptoms that linger past a couple months.

Sometimes, the PTSD symptoms will develop later on, sometimes even a few months or even years after the event in question. Anyone can suffer from PTSD, though it’s more common following certain trauma types, including military combat and sexual assault.

PTSD is a serious condition, as it is often associated with other disorders such as borderline personality disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders and depression. Those suffering from PTSD are also likely to develop alcohol or drug abuse.

What is the Goal of PTSD Treatment?

The ultimate goal of PTSD treatment is to reduce the negative reactions that a person might have to the memories and/or traumatic incidents that they faced. It also integrates focusing on any situation that could trigger those feelings or memories.

For instance, if someone suffers from PTSD based on their experiences in war, they may have trouble with loud banging sounds, such as around fireworks or loud music.

Many modern PTSD treatments focus on exposure, with the idea being that anxiety can reduce after continually exposing people to the thoughts about their trauma. There are obviously some concerns regarding this type of therapy, though, as well as the limitations of it.

That’s why many more advanced therapy treatments have been introduced for PTSD patients, as well as some treatments such as ABA therapy that is used traditionally for people suffering from other disorders.

How Does ABA Therapy Treat PTSD?

ABA therapy is heavily focused on what is known as the ABC model of behavior. This standard is that there are three steps to every behavior — an Antecedent, the Behavior itself and the Consequence.

This concept applies very well to people suffering from PTSD, as traumatic life events cause certain reactions, which in turn can have negative consequences on that person’s life. Using the example above, the antecedent might be fireworks, which triggers the behavior of a fearful reaction and feelings of dread, which causes the consequence — that the person avoids fireworks and loud celebrations.

The idea behind ABA therapy in this regard is to work on addressing these situations through what is known as behavioral activation, or BA. Once the triggers have been identified, ABA therapists can create customized treatment plans that will specifically address the challenges their patients face.

One of the hallmarks of PTSD is avoidance. ABA therapists will work hard to encourage individuals who suffer from PTSD to evaluate their environment so they can identify potential triggers and be more aware of their potential emotional response.

Then, the ABA therapy can help to target the avoidance responses by implementing specific behaviors and/or activities. In this way, the treatment plan can help people who suffer from PTSD to become active, to stop avoiding certain activities and to find comfort and joy in life.

In turn, these improvements can help people pursue career or academic goals, improve their physical and mental health, and develop, improve and/or re-establish personal relationships.

Blue Gems ABA Administers Best-in-Class ABA Therapy

Individuals who suffer from PTSD can benefit greatly from ABA therapy, regardless of how old they are or what life event triggered their suffering. One of the best parts about ABA therapy is that it is a personalized treatment plan that can be customized specifically to each individual’s challenges — which is a very important aspect of PTSD.

At Blue Gems ABA, we have a team of experienced therapists who administer ABA therapy to a wide range of individuals, including those who suffer from PTSD.

To learn more, please contact us today.