Post-traumatic stress disorder is a disorder which develops in several people who have experienced a scary, shocking, or dangerous event. Almost everyone will experience a lot of reactions after trauma, but most people recover from initial symptoms naturally. Those who continue to experience issues may be diagnosed with PTSD.
PTSD Meaning and Examples
Post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD is a psychiatric disorder which may occur in people who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event such as a serious accident, a natural disaster, a terrorist act, a war/combat, or rape or who have been threatened with sexual violence, death, or serious injury.
Here are types of events which can lead to Post-traumatic stress disorder:
- Serious accidents
- Physical/ sexual assault
- Abuse
- Exposure to traumatic events at work
- Serious health problems
- Losing a baby
- The death of someone close to you
- War and conflict
Post-traumatic stress disorder develops in about 1 in 3 people who experience serious trauma. It is not fully understood why several people develop the condition while other people do not. However certain factors appear to make several people more likely to develop Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Who’s at Risk?
For those who have had depression or anxiety in the past, or you do not receive much support from your family or friends, you may be more likely to develop Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after a traumatic event. Also, there may be a genetic factor involved in Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). For instance, having a parent with a mental health issue is thought to increase your opportunities of developing the condition.
Why Does It Develop?
Even though it is not clear exactly why people develop Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a number of possible reasons have been suggested.
Survival mechanism
The symptoms of Post-traumatic stress disorder are the result of an instinctive mechanism intended to assist you survive further traumatic experiences. For instance, the flashbacks many people with Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) experience may force you to think about the event in detail, so you are better prepared if it happens again. The feeling of being on edge may develop to assist you react quickly in other crisis. However while these responses may be intended to assist you survive, actually they are very unhelpful in reality as you cannot process and move on from the traumatic experience.
High adrenaline levels
Research has shown that people with Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have abnormal levels of stress hormones. Usually, when in danger, the body will produce stress hormones like adrenaline to trigger a reaction in the body. This reaction, frequently known as the fight reaction, assists to deaden the senses and reduce pain. People with Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have been discovered to continue to produce high amounts of fight hormones even when there is no danger. This may be responsible for the numbed emotions and hyperarousal experienced by several people with Post-traumatic stress disorder.
Changes in the brain
In people with Post-traumatic stress disorder, parts of the brain involved in emotional processing will appear different in brain scans. Need to know that one part of the brain responsible for memory and emotions is called the hippocampus. In people with Post-traumatic stress disorder, this hippocampus will appear smaller in size. The changes in this part of the brain may be related to anxiety and fear, memory issues, and flashbacks. The malfunctioning hippocampus will be able to prevent flashbacks and nightmares being processed properly, thus the anxiety they generate does not reduce over time. Treatment of Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) results in proper processing of the memories, thus, over time, the flashbacks and nightmares disappear gradually.
Treatments and Therapies
The main treatments for people with Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are medications, psychotherapy, or both. Everyone is different, and of course Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) will affect people differently. Therefore, a treatment which works for one person may not work for another. It is crucial for anyone with Post-traumatic stress disorder to be treated by a mental health provider who is experienced with Post-traumatic stress disorder. Several people with PTSD may need to try different treatments to discover what works for their symptoms. If someone with Post-traumatic stress disorder is going through an ongoing trauma, such as being in an abusive relationship, both of the issues need to be addressed. Other ongoing issues can include depression, substance abuse, panic disorder, and feeling suicidal.
Medications
The most kind of medication for treating Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are antidepressants that can assist control PTSD symptoms such as worry, anger, and sadness. Also, other medications can be helpful for treating specific Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms, such as nightmares and sleep problems. Doctors and patients are able to work together to discover the best medication or medication combination, as well as the right dose.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy usually involves talking with a mental health professional to treat a mental illness. Psychotherapy can happen one-on-one or in a group. Psychotherapy or talk therapy treatment for Post-traumatic stress disorder typically lasts 6 to 12 weeks, however it may last longer. Research shows that support from family and friends will be a crucial part of recovery. Lots of types of psychotherapy can assist people with Post-traumatic stress disorder. Several types target the symptoms of Post-traumatic stress disorder directly. Other therapies focus on family, social, or job-related issues. The doctor or therapist will be able to combine different therapies depending on each person’s needs.
Effective psychotherapies will tend to emphasize several key components, including education about the symptoms, teaching skills to identify the triggers of symptoms, and also skills to manage the symptoms. One helpful form of therapy is cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT. Apparently, there are other types of treatment which can help as well. People with Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) should talk about all treatment options with a therapist. Treatment must equip individuals with the skills to manage their symptoms and assist them participate in activities which they enjoyed before developing Post-traumatic stress disorder.
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