POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER

A mental health condition known as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is brought on by witnessing or experiencing a terrifying event. Flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, and uncontrollable thoughts about the event are all possible signs.

 

Fear both during and after a traumatic event is normal. The body reacts to fear in a variety of split-second ways to either help defend against danger or avoid it. A typical response, known as the “fight-or-flight response,” is intended to safeguard an individual from harm. After trauma, nearly everyone will have a variety of reactions, but the majority of people naturally recover from the initial symptoms. PTSD may be diagnosed in people who continue to have issues. Even when they are not in danger, PTSD sufferers may experience feelings of stress or fear.

 

About one in three people who have experienced severe trauma develop PTSD.

The reason why some people develop the condition while others do not is not completely understood.

 

Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder may appear one month after a traumatic event, or they may not appear until years later. Relationships and social and professional settings suffer greatly as a result of these symptoms. They can also make it hard for you to do the things you normally do every day.

 

PTSD symptoms typically fall into four categories: intrusive memories, avoidance, negative changes in thinking and mood, and changes in physical and emotional reactions are all examples of this. The symptoms can change over time or between people.

 

signs of intrusive memories may include:

 

• Unwanted, recurrent, and distressing memories of the trauma.

• Experiencing the traumatic event over and over again (flashbacks).

• Disturbing nightmares or dreams about the traumatic event.

• Extreme physical or emotional reactions to something that brings back memories of the traumatic event.

 

signs of avoidance may include:

 

• Attempting to avoid thinking about or discussing the traumatic incident.

• Avoiding activities, places, or people that bring back memories of the traumatic event.

 

signs of negative changes in thinking and mood may include:

 

• Thoughts that you, other people, or the world are wrong.

• Negative outlook on the future

• Memory issues, such as forgetting crucial details of the traumatic event.

• Having a hard time keeping close relationships.

• Feeling distant from friends and family.

• A lack of interest in the things you used to enjoy.

• Having trouble feeling good emotions.

• Experiencing a lack of emotion.

 

signs of changes in physical and emotional reactions may include:

 

• Ease of being scared or startled.

• Always being alert to potential danger.

• Negative self-talk, like driving too fast or drinking too much.

• Trouble falling asleep

• Having trouble focusing.

• Touchiness, sudden emotional eruptions or forceful way of behaving.

• A lot of guilt or shame.

 

 

• Playing out the traumatic event or parts of the traumatic event.

• Terrifying dreams that may or may not contain elements of the traumatic event.

 

 

PTSD symptoms can fluctuate over time. When you’re stressed out in general or when you see or hear things that remind you of what you went through, you might experience more PTSD symptoms. You might, for instance, hear a car explode and recall experiences in combat. Alternately, you might watch a report on the news about a sexual assault and become overcome by thoughts of your own assault.

 

After a very stressful, frightening, or distressing event, or after a prolonged traumatic experience, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can occur.

 

• fatal accidents

• a sexual or physical assault.

• abuse, including domestic or childhood abuse.

• at work, including remote exposure to traumatic events.

• serious health issues, like being hospitalized in the intensive care unit.

• experiences during childbirth, such as child loss.

• the passing of a loved one.

• conflict and warfare

• violence.

 

The combination of medication and trauma-focused therapy is the treatment for PTSD that works best.

Your body may be able to produce more substances that alleviate stress and emotions thanks to some medications. There are two main categories for them:

 

• SSRIs, also known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors

• SNRIs, or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors

 

In trauma-focused therapy, the event and its significance are examined. It tends to be done maybe one or two different ways:

 

• Therapy for cognitive processing: This method tries to change negative thoughts and beliefs about the traumatic event.

• Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR): While thinking about the event, you concentrate on the therapist’s specific sounds or movements. It aims to lessen the event’s emotional impact over time.

• Treatment with prolonged exposure: You’ll be pushed to confront thoughts, feelings, and situations you’ve been avoiding with this strategy. You may discuss your trauma repeatedly. You could also work toward doing the things you’ve been avoiding.