Seven Things You Need to Know About PTSD
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – A disorder characterised by failure to recover after experiencing or witnessing a terrifying event. The condition may last months or years, with triggers that can bring back memories of the trauma accompanied by intense emotional and physical reactions.
PTSD symptoms often co-exist with other conditions such as substance use disorders, depression and anxiety. A comprehensive medical evaluation resulting in an individualized treatment plan is optimal.
We’re highlighting 7 important things to help raise awareness and combat stigmas regarding PTSD.
1. It is a mental health issue that needs to be treated.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric condition caused by experiencing or seeing a traumatic event. While it is very natural to be upset or have trouble with sleeping, most people start to feel better after a few weeks or months. People who are suffering PTSD for longer time should seek treatment from Psychiatrist. Get help and talk with a mental health professional.
2. PTSD can happen to anyone.
Adults, teens and children can all go through trauma. In fact, according to studies, as many as 43 percent of children experience trauma during their childhood. Trauma can be emerged from different events like – abuse, violence, sexual assault, injuries, accident, etc.
3. Women are 2x more likely to develop PTSD than men.
Women endure more trauma and may have genetic factors that make them more susceptible as well, just like males are more likely to develop Autism than females due to some gender differences. So there’s no judgment here or indication of weakness, just a comment on differences.
4. It can take years for PTSD symptoms to begin.
Trauma affects every person differently. While some are immediately changed by an event, others may not experience effects until years later.
5. Symptoms affect everyone differently.
Symptoms may include nightmares or flashbacks, avoidance of situations that bring back the trauma, heightened reactivity to stimuli, anxiety or depressed mood.
With PTSD, people may experience:
Behavioural: agitation, irritability, hostility, hypervigilance, self-destructive behaviour, or social isolation
Psychological: flashback, fear, severe anxiety, or mistrust
Mood: loss of interest or pleasure in activities, guilt, or loneliness
Sleep: insomnia or nightmares
Also common: emotional detachment or unwanted thoughts
6. Two people can go through same trauma and one can develop PTSD while the other might not.
This doesn’t have to do anything with strength or weakness. PTSD is a complex interplay of traumatic events. One can’t choose if they develop PTSD, but one can definitely choose whether to heal from it or not.
7. You can help by finding help. There are many treatment options.
Face-to-face support may be better than love from afar for someone with PTSD, according to trauma experts. Take time to learn more about PTSD, how it happens and how it can be treated.
The good news is that PTSD is treatable and treatment often leads to safety, happiness and improved quality of life. Psychotherapy & Counselling is the main treatment and may also include medications to help with PTSD symptoms. This therapy involves making the PTSD patient understand how to better manage symptoms and how to deal with the trauma and the effects.