Contributed by: Healthians Team
Introduction
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that arises when someone experiences a traumatic event that made them feel fearful, shocked, or helpless. The condition can occur in people who have encountered scenarios such as war, crime, fire, accident, death of a loved one, or some sort of abuse.
The Department of Community Medicine, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi surveyed 234 people and found that 28.2% of them were suffering from PTSD. 13.7% of them had a clinical concern, 8.1% had a probable diagnosis, and in most of the remaining people, it was high enough to suppress the functioning of the immune system.
This data clearly signifies the importance of taking quick and adequate care of people with PTSD. An individual suffering from PTSD may become more anxious and fearful over time, and this can disrupt their life for years.
Though there is no complete cure available for PTSD, yet with proper treatment, the condition is manageable.
In this article, you will learn about the causes, symptoms, risk factors, treatment and self-help tips that can help in the appropriate management of PTSD.
Causes of PTSD
PTSD can affect anyone who experiences a situation that can potentially trigger shock, fear, horror, or helplessness at any age, and several risk factors contribute to its development, this include:
- Military confrontation
- Experiencing any natural disaster
- Getting diagnosed with a life-threatening condition
- Witnessing a crime scene or being a victim
- Serious accident
- Experiencing terrorist attacks
- Loss of a loved one by any cause
- Abuse (physical, psychological or sexual)
Symptoms of PTSD
The symptoms usually begin to develop in three months after encountering the scenario, but in some cases, the manifestation can be delayed.
These symptoms can also occur to a person who does not have PTSD, so seek medical attention upon experiencing them only if you have been exposed to any of the causes or the symptoms are recurring for more than a month.
These symptoms include:
Intrusion symptoms
- Nightmares
- Flashback and a sensation that the event is happening again and again
- Unpleasant memories of the even or fearful thoughts
Avoidance symptoms
- Refusing to discuss the event with anyone
- Avoiding situations or places that remind about the person or the event
Arousal and reactivity symptoms
- Problem sleeping
- Getting easily irritated and anger outbursts
- Hypersensitivity to possible dangers
- Continuously tensed and anxious
Symptoms that influence mood and thinking
- Difficulty in remembering some parts of the event
- Always feeling guilty and blamed, negative thoughts about yourself
- Feeling detached from others
- Emotionally and mentally numbed
- Inability to enjoy life due to reduced interest
- A problem in focusing on anything
In addition, PTSD patients can experience mental health issues such as depression, phobias, and anxiety. They may also have problems in dealing with relationships.
Physical symptoms
- Sweating, shaking, headaches, dizziness, stomach ailments, chest pain, body ache
- A weak immune system that can cause several illnesses
- Interrupted sleeping patterns that lead to chronic fatigue
Symptoms in children and teens
- Bedwetting
- Problem speaking
- Flashbacks of the event
- Acting weirdly in a crowd
- Being clingy with an adult
- Unable to convey what they feel
Children who have experienced severe emotional or physical trauma may manifest symptoms such as:
- Constantly feel afraid, sad, anxious, and isolated
- Lose self-worth
- Behave aggressively with everyone
- Try to hurt themselves
PTSD risk factors
Gender plays a major role in risk factors associated with PTSD. Studies suggest that while men are likely to experience more violence, women are more prone to the chances of developing PTSD.
A few events that are more likely to trigger PTSD symptoms include:
- Military combat
- Childhood abuse
- Physical or emotional assault
- Accident
- Losing loved ones
- Depression or any other issue related to mental health
- A lack of support in life
- A job that can increase your exposure to traumatic events
Treatment and self-help tips for PTSD
PTSD is a serious condition that requires treatment as soon as possible. The treatments of this condition are specifically tailored to manage trauma and it includes psychotherapy, medication, or a combination of both.
The therapies include:
- Cognitive processing therapy: This therapy is also termed cognitive restructuring in which an individual learns how to think of things differently and positively. This therapy can help them gain control over the fear and distress caused by the trauma.
- Exposure therapy: This therapy involves guided and repeated exposure to the cause of trauma. Confronting the scenario makes the affected person feel that they have more control over their fear, thoughts, and feelings. It is important to note that the therapy should be implemented under the supervision of an expert or else it can have an adverse effect, making the situation worse.
Experts recommend not to consume medicines for managing PTSD by yourself and you must always consult a doctor for relevant medicines.
Self-help tips to help manage PTSD
Some self-help tips can also help reduce the impact of PTSD, these include:
- Not accepting PTSD as a sign of weakness
- Find a friend or a family member to confide in
- Discussing or spending time with other people who know what happened or have had the same experience
- Being aware of the triggers and avoiding them
- Breaking tasks into small groups to make them easier to complete
- Doing physical exercises like yoga, running, or swimming
- Practising meditation and deep breathing to feel relaxed
- Spending time in the lap of nature
- Listening to soothing music
- Understanding that symptoms will go away
- Finding a hobby. This can also help to keep the person busy and distracted
Thinking of PTSD as a lifelong condition and not taking measures to improve it can affect your overall well-being and lead to other ailments that can deteriorate your health. Consult your doctor, seek therapy, and stay mentally and emotionally strong to effectively manage the condition.
Final thoughts
Though PTSD is a severe condition and there is no specific cure for it, yet, with the right treatment you can experience a big difference in the condition.
Experts recommend seeking immediate medical attention if you have encountered the above-mentioned causes and are experiencing the symptoms. Along with the aforesaid therapies and medications, implementing the self-help tips in your life can also prove to be fruitful.
Also, it’s best to get regular health screenings to ensure that your health is in optimum condition, and to take preventive measures if any concern crops up.
