PTSD
Widely known as PTSD, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a common mental health condition with about 3 million U.S. cases diagnosed a year. PTSD is caused by traumatizing experiences which in turn lead to anxiety and panic-inducing triggers and difficulty normally functioning in everyday life.
PTSD vs Trauma
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a mental health condition caused by trauma surrounding particularly distressing events in a victim’s life. Sexual assault, abuse, exposure to disturbing events, health issues, war, and child-birth-related accidents are all examples of potential trauma-causing events, however, PTSD is not the same as trauma.
Trauma and PTSD share several symptoms and trauma can later develop into PTSD. Trauma and PTSD are both caused by traumatic events that can have a lasting effect on someone, but while emotional trauma is a normal response to these experiences, it comes and goes. PTSD is characterized by experiencing ongoing psychological shock from it.
Trauma can stay with a person for an extended period but healthy coping mechanisms can help to make the symptoms easier.
Symptoms of PTSD
Symptoms of PTSD usually start around 1 to 3 months, however they can pop up later. To be officially diagnosed with PTSD by a medical professional. The symptoms must severely and consistently affect the individual for over a month, and interfere with their life, occupation, and health.
Symptoms of PTSD include but are not limited to:
-Irritability, nervousness, and anxiety
-Easily startled or frightened
-Issues with concentration and/or thinking
-Depression, self-destructive behavior, and self-harm
-Suicidal thoughts and/or attempts
-Mood swings and crying spells
-Frequent overwhelming guilt or shame
-Vivid flashbacks and nightmares
-Paranoia and over vigilance
Remember that if you or someone else displays these symptoms and regularly experiences them, you have a right to be concerned but not self-diagnose.
Treatment and Care
Though many individuals are affected and diagnosed with PTSD, many can recover.
Therapies like cognitive processing therapy (CPT) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) are helpful methods for patients to process their trauma.
CPT helps patients focus on how their trauma impacts them today and teaches them how to evaluate and change the negative thoughts from the trauma to improve the way one feels.
CBT helps a person understand how their past traumatic events are affecting their thought processes and emotions today as well as how to combat them through coping skills and improving one’s self-confidence and control.
Talk therapy, medication, and narrative exposure therapy are also examples of treatment for PTSD. As with many mental illnesses, there is no “cure” but with current available treatments, one’s symptoms can be made more manageable. Approximately 80% of those who have PTSD were able to make a recovery. Though it takes time, exploring treatment will allow one to move toward a healthy and manageable day-to-day.
Ted Ed video on: PTSD
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*We are not medical professionals, we are simply here to raise awareness*