Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is a mental health problem that is brought on after an excruciating experience, or trauma like a catastrophe, natural disaster, accident, etc.
People who have PTSD have a harrowing time coping with the event. The impact of the experience lingers long after it has passed in their mind, causing uncomfortable symptoms that then lead to PTSD.
Women are more likely to suffer from PTSD. It can affect people from all age groups. Marginalized communities are at a higher risk for PTSD since they are more likely to suffer from trauma.
PTSD Symptoms
PTSD symptoms can start anywhere after the event has passed; sometimes it may be even years after which the symptoms set in. PTSD symptoms are divided into four categories.
Avoidance
Symptoms of avoidance include:
- Staying away from the memories of the traumatic event.
- Avoiding thoughts about the event.
- Avoiding talking about the event.
Changes in perception and mood
The changes in perception and mood that tend to occur in PTSD include:
- Experiencing distorted thoughts
- Having trouble recalling the traumatic event
- Having negative thoughts
- Having problems maintaining social connections
- Feeling unhappy
- Feeling detached from loved ones
Changes in emotion and physical reactions
Changes in physical and emotional reactivity include:
- Becoming aggressive and angry
- Experiencing guilt and shame
- Having trouble sleeping
- Indulging in self-destructive behavior
- Facing concentration issues
- Getting scared easily
- Getting irritated easily
Intrusion
Symptoms of intrusion include:
- Intrusive thoughts of the event
- Flashbacks of the event
- Involuntary regurgitation of the event
- Nightmares pertaining to the trauma
- Reliving the traumatic event
PTSD treatment
While for in some cases, the symptoms of PTSD might subside on their own. However, others might require treatment for PTSD. There are different approaches for treating the condition. These include:
Therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a type of talk therapy that helps in addressing the behavior and thought process behind the issue. There are different categories of CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) that a doctor might employ, like exposure therapy, group therapy, etc.
Medication
Some people might also require medication to manage their symptoms better. Commonly, antidepressants like SSRIs –selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors – are generally prescribed.
Similarly, some people might have anxiety with their PTSD symptoms, so the doctor might prescribe medication for also the impact of PTSD.
Others
Some alternative therapies are also effective for the treatment of PTSD, but it is best that you let your doctor decide the best route forwards for you.
PTSD prevention
While you cannot prevent a traumatic event from occurring, you can moderate your response to the trauma. If you do not seek timely help and support, it may happen that you fall trap to substance abuse or similar unhealthy coping mechanisms.
Moreover, unresolved PTSD can also lead to suicide ideation, mental health problems, and eating disorders.
So, to prevent PTSD symptoms from getting worse, get medical help after any traumatic event. Allow your friends and family to help. Be kind to yourself. Try to avoid the use of any unhealthy substances like drugs or alcohol.
Prevention of PTSD
PTSD sufferers struggle mightily to deal with the incident. Long after the event has faded from their memory, its effects continue to affect them, leading to uncomfortable symptoms that eventually develop into PTSD.
Women are more likely to experience PTSD than men. It can have an impact on people of all ages. Since they are more likely to experience trauma, marginalised communities are more likely to develop PTSD.
Even if you cannot stop a traumatic incident from happening, you can control how you react to the trauma. It is possible that you will fall into the trap of substance abuse or other unhealthy coping techniques if you do not promptly seek help and support.
Untreated PTSD can also result in food disorders, mental health issues, and suicidal thoughts.
So, following any stressful occurrence, get medical care to prevent PTSD symptoms from getting worse. Allow your family and friends to assist you. Take care of yourself. Try to refrain from using any harmful substances, such as alcohol or drugs.
PTSD therapy
While in some circumstances, PTSD symptoms may go away on their own. Others, though, could need PTSD therapy. The condition can be treated in a variety of ways. These consist of:
Therapy
A form of talk therapy called cognitive behavioural therapy assists in addressing the behaviour and mental patterns that underlie the problem. A clinician may use different types of CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Treatment), such as exposure therapy, group therapy, etc.
Medication
Some people might also need medication to better control their symptoms. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a type of antidepressant, are frequently prescribed.
The effects of PTSD may also be treated with medication if a patient also has anxiety in addition to their PTSD symptoms.
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