My past is pulling me in one direction and the present another. I see flashbacks of images and noises burst through, fear comes out of nowhere. My heart races and my breathing is loud… I no longer know where I am.
After a trauma, it is natural to struggle with fear, anxiety, and sadness. You may feel numb, have upsetting memories or find it hard to sleep. Most people get better with time. But if you have PTSD, these thoughts and feelings don’t fade away. They last for months or years, and may even get worse.
What is
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) ?
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that some
people develop after experiencing or witnessing a life-threatening event, like combat,
natural disaster, car accident, or sexual assault. Nearly everyone will
experience trauma after these events, yet most people will recover from the
symptoms naturally. People who continue to experience problems may be diagnosed
with PTSD. Those who have PTSD may feel frightened or stressed even when they
are no longer in danger. According to the National Center for PTSD, about seven or eight
of every 100 people will experience PTSD at some point in their lives.
What can cause PTSD?
Any experience that is dangerous to your life or someone else’s can cause PTSD. These types of events are called trauma. The traumatic events that can cause PTSD to include:
- Combat and other military experiences.
- Sexual or physical assault.
- The accidental death or injury of a loved one.
- Child sexual or physical abuse.
- Serious accidents, like a car wreck.
- Natural disasters, like fire, tornado, hurricane, flood, or earthquake.
- Terrorist attacks.
During this kind of event, you may not have
control over what’s happening,
and you may feel very afraid. Anyone who has gone through any of the above
traumatic can develop PTSD. Also, seeing the effects of a horrible or violent
event can be traumatic.
What are the symptoms of PTSD?
There are 4 types of PTSD symptoms and each person experiences these symptoms in their own way.
1. Reliving the event
Unwelcome memories about the traumatic event can come up at any time. They can feel real and scary as if the event is happening again. This is called a flashback. You may also have nightmares. Memories of the trauma can happen because of a trigger, that is, something that reminds you of the event. For example, seeing a news report about a natural disaster may trigger someone who lived through a hurricane.
2. Avoiding things that remind you of the event
You may try to avoid certain people, places or situations that remind you of the event.
For instance, someone who was assaulted on the bus might avoid taking public transportation. Or a combat Veteran may avoid crowded places like shopping malls because it feels dangerous to be around so many people.
3. Having more negative thoughts and feelings than before
You may feel more negative than you did before the trauma. You might be sad or numb and lose interest in things you used to enjoy, like spending time with family and friends. You may feel that the world is dangerous and you can’t trust anyone. It may be hard for you to feel or express positive emotions like happiness, gratitude, etc. You might also feel guilt or shame about the traumatic event itself. For example, you may wish you had done more to keep it from happening.
4. Feeling on edge
It is common to feel jittery or “keyed up” like it’s hard to relax. This is also called hyperarousal. You might have trouble concentrating, or sleeping, or feel like you’re always on the lookout for danger. You may suddenly get angry and irritable and if someone surprises you, you might startle easily.
How is PTSD Treated?
It is imperative for anyone with PTSD to be treated by a mental health professional who is experienced with PTSD. The main treatments are psychotherapy (“talk” therapy), medications, or both. Everyone is different, and PTSD affects people differently, so a treatment that works for one person may not work for another.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is “talk” therapy. There are many types of psychotherapy but all involve talking with a mental health professional to treat a mental health illness. Psychotherapy can occur one-on-one or in a group and usually lasts 6 to 12 weeks.
Effective psychotherapies emphasize key components which include: knowledge about symptoms, teaching skills to help identify the triggers of symptoms, and skills to manage the symptoms. One type of psychotherapy is known as cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT. CBT can include:
- Exposure therapy – This therapy helps people face and control their fears. It exposes them gradually to the trauma they experienced in a safer way. It uses mental image, writing, or visits to the place where the event happened. The therapist uses these tools to help the patients cope with their feelings.
- Cognitive restructuring – This therapy helps patients make sense of bad memories. Sometimes people remember the event differently from how it happened. They may feel shame or guilt about what is not their fault. The therapist
helps the patients look at the event in a realistic way.
Other therapies teach patients helpful ways to react to frightening events that trigger their PTSD symptoms.
Medications
The most studied medication for treating PTSD is antidepressants, which help control PTSD symptoms. Antidepressants and other medications may be prescribed alongside with psychotherapy. Mental health professionals and patients can work together to find the best medication or medication combination, as well as the right dose. Visit the Fortitude Wellness website for the latest information on patient medication guides, warnings, or newly approved medications.
Conclusion
PTSD interferes with your life. It makes it hard for you to trust, communicate, and solve problems. This can lead to problems in your relationships with family, friends and co-workers. It also affects your physical and mental health. In fact, studies have shown that it raises your risk of heart disease and digestive disorders. But with effective treatment, you can live a fulfilling and quality life.
Have you or your loved one lived through a disaster or experienced any kind of traumatic event?