Shrink Rap: Trauma, Traipsing and Trading

Dear Shrink Rap: I suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. My eight-year trauma ended three years ago. I've been studying trading continuously while working out the PTSD. I know how to trade -- my problem is concentration. When I relapse, it's very difficult to trade, so I don't. I haven't traded for two months. Do you think meditation classes would be the next best thing to try? -- R.J.

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Shrink Rap: In a previous column, I listed several ways I believe meditation may be useful to the trader in knowing his own thoughts and managing his emotions and decision-making. The ability to concentrate is one of these benefits.

You haven't provided enough information to describe exactly what happens when you relapse. If what you mean is that something outside of trading triggers your stress symptoms to the point that you're unable to focus on your trading, meditation alone might not be enough to improve your concentration. In fact, as I explain below, it could make things worse, depending on the type of practice you choose.

If the stress of trading itself triggers your symptoms, how much meditation will help will depend on what you're experiencing besides poor concentration. For example, if you're having flashbacks of the trauma scene and this occurs while you're trading or away from trading, a typical closed-eye meditation practice won't make this go away.

Trauma

You mentioned you're recovering from a trauma of eight years duration and find that symptoms continue to intrude to the degree that you must refrain from trading for months at a time. With no further information about your condition, my inclination is to tell you to continue further work on the psychological issues with a qualified psychologist. If you can find one who understands the demands of trading, all the better.

While meditation will generally improve your level of concentration for trading and most other activities in life, be warned that it may exacerbate any flashbacks you're having. This is because closed-eyed forms of meditation practice tend to heighten inner imagery. Having your eyes closed and your body still for periods of time makes it easier to notice and focus on inner images.