Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: What You Need to Know

What is Post-traumatic Stress Disorder?

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental and behavioral disorder that can develop because of exposure to a traumatic event, such as sexual assault, warfare, traffic collisions, child abuse, domestic violence or other threats on a person's life.

Symptoms

1. Intrusive memories:

This includes symptoms such as

• Recurrent, unwanted distressing memories of the traumatic event

• Flashback of traumatic event

• Nightmares about the traumatic event

• Physical reactions or emotional distress on things which remind about the traumatic event

2. Avoidance:

This may include symptoms such as

• Trying to avoid thinking about the traumatic event

• Avoid places, people or activities that remind of the event

3. Negative changes in thinking and mood:

This may include symptoms such as

• Negative thoughts about yourself as well as other people around

• Feeling of hopelessness about the future

• Difficulty maintaining close relationships

• Memory problems

• Feeling of detachment from loved ones

• Lack of interest in activities once enjoyed

• Feeling of emotional numbness

4. Changes in physical and emotional reactions:

This may include symptoms such as:

• Getting easily startled or frightened

• Trouble sleeping and concentrating

• Self-destructive behaviour

• Irritability, angry outbursts or aggressive behaviour

Causes

PTSD is probably caused by a complex mix of:

• Family history of anxiety and depression

• Stressful experiences, including the amount and severity of trauma one has experienced during their life

• The way brain regulates the chemicals and hormones which are release by body in response to stress

Diagnosis

When the above symptoms last for more than a month and cause significant distress and impairment, then it may be diagnosed as PTSD. In order to determine the diagnosis and to cope and recover from the symptoms, one must consult a qualified mental health professional.

Prevention

Getting timely help and support may prevent normal stress reactions from getting worse and developing into PTSD. This may mean turning to family and friends who will listen and offer comfort. It may mean seeking out a mental health professional for a brief course of therapy. Some people may also find it helpful to turn to their faith community. Support from others also may help prevent you from turning to unhealthy coping methods, such as misuse of alcohol or drugs.

Treatment

There are many effective treatments that can help people living with PTSD to cope with symptoms and recover. This includes:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: This can help deal with reminders and emotions associated with the trauma & even help reduce maladaptive behaviour associated with PTSD.

• Exposure therapy: This therapy helps to learn how to effectively cope with distressing symptoms of PTSD like anxiety and avoidance by exposing you to memories and reminders of trauma.

• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): With guided eye movement, EMDR allows to process traumatic memories in a new and more positive way.

• Medication: This can help ease symptoms of PTSD and may improve the ability to participate in psychotherapy. The physician may prescribe anti-depressants, anti-anxiety, or other medications to help reduce sleep disturbances like nightmares.

• Complimentary therapies: Therapies such as animal-assisted therapy or trauma-sensitive yoga may be considered to be added to the treatment regimen.