After experiencing a shocking, terrifying, or
dangerous event, some people may develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
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| source : regencyhealthcare.in |
It is natural to be afraid during and after a
traumatic situation. Fear causes many instant changes in the body to help fight
or avoid danger. This "fight or flight" response is a typical
response intended to protect a person from harm. Most people will experience a
range of reactions after an injury, but most people recover from the first
symptoms spontaneously. People who continue to have problems may be diagnosed
with PTSD. People with PTSD may feel stressed or scared, even when they are not
in danger.
Signs and Symptoms
Although most, but not all, people with trauma
experience short-term symptoms, the majority do not develop persistent
(chronic) PTSD. Not everyone with PTSD has experienced a dangerous event.
Certain experiences, such as the sudden and unexpected death of a loved one,
can also trigger PTSD. Symptoms usually begin early, within 3 months of the
traumatic event, but sometimes they begin years later. Symptoms must last for
more than a month and be severe enough to interfere with relationships or work
to be considered PTSD. The course of the disease varies. Some people recover in
6 months, while others have symptoms that last much longer. In some people, the
disease becomes chronic.
A psychiatrist or psychologist who has experience
treating patients with mental illness can make the diagnosis of PTSD.
An adult must experience all of the following for at
least one month in order to receive a PTSD diagnosis.:
• At least one recurrent
symptom
• At least one avoidance
symptom
• At least twice sober
and response
• Two or more cognitive
and mood symptoms
Flashback symptoms include:
• Flashback — repeated
trauma, including physical symptoms such as heart palpitations or sweat
• Bad dreams
• Scary thoughts
Flashback symptoms can cause problems with a person's
daily activities. Symptoms can stem from the person's own thoughts and
feelings. Words, objects, or situations that recall the event can also trigger
recurrent symptoms.
Symptoms to avoid include:
• Staying away from
places, events, or objects that remind you of the traumatic experience
• Avoiding thoughts or
feelings associated with the traumatic event
Reminders of a traumatic event people that traumatic
events can cause avoidance symptoms. These symptoms can cause a person to
change their personal habits. For example, after a serious car accident, a
person who normally drives may avoid driving or get in the car.
Arousal symptoms and reactions include:
• Being easily startled
• Feeling stressed or
"hard to sleep"
• Trouble sleeping
• Having tantrums
Arousal symptoms are often continuous, rather than
continuous triggered by things that are reminiscent of traumatic events. The
person may become anxious and irate as a result of these symptoms. They may
make routine activities more difficult, like sleeping, eating, or focusing..
Cognitive and mood symptoms include:
• Difficulty remembering
key features of the traumatic event
• Negative thoughts about
self or the world
• Distorted feelings such
as guilt or blame
• Loss of interest in
pleasurable activities
Cognitive and mood symptoms may begin or worsen after
the traumatic event, but are not due to trauma or substance use. These symptoms
can make the person feel alienated or distant from friends or family members.
It is natural to have some of these symptoms for
several weeks after a dangerous event. When symptoms persist for more than a
month, severely affect ability to function, and are not caused by stimulant
use, illness, or anything other than the event itself, it may be PTSD. Some
people with PTSD have no symptoms for weeks or months. PTSD is often
accompanied by depression, substance abuse, or one or more other anxiety
disorders.
Do kids respond in a different way than adults?
Children and adolescents may have extreme reactions to
trauma, but some of their symptoms may not resemble those of adults. Symptoms
are sometimes seen in very young children (under 6 years old), these may
include:
• Wetting the bed after learning to use the toilet
• Forgetfulness or inability to speak
• Replaying scary playtime events
• Abnormal attachment to parents or other adults
Older children and adolescents are more likely to
experience symptoms similar to those seen in adults. Additionally, they might
start acting in disruptive, disrespectful, or harmful ways. Teenagers and older
kids might feel bad for not doing more to stop accidents or fatalities. They
might also consider exacting revenge.
Risk Elements
PTSD can strike anyone at any age.This includes
veterans, children and people who have been physically or sexually assaulted,
abused, accidents, disasters or other serious events. According to the National
Center for PTSD, about 7 or 8 people out of every 100 will experience PTSD at
some point in their lives. Women are more likely than men to experience PTSD,
and some people may be predisposed to the disorder due to genetics.
Not every person with PTSD has gone through a risky
situation.Some people develop PTSD after a friend or family member is in danger
or injured. The sudden and unexpected death of a loved one can also lead to
PTSD.
Why do some people have PTSD and some don't?
It is important to remember that not everyone who
experiences a dangerous event develops PTSD. In fact, most people will not
develop the disease.
Whether someone will experience PTSD depends on a
variety of factors. Here are a few illustrations. One is more likely to
experience PTSD if certain risk factors exist. Resilience factors are
additional factors that can help lower the risk of the disorder.
Some elements that raise the risk of developing PTSD
include:
Experiencing
terrifying incidents and traumas; getting hurt; witnessing someone else get
hurt or see a dead body; and experiencing trauma as a child
• Having little to no
social support following the incident
• Dealing with additional
stress following the incident, such as dealing with pain and injury, losing a
job or home, or feeling horrified, helpless, or extremely afraid
• Having a history of
mental illness or substance abuse
Finding a support group after a traumatic event;
seeking out support from friends and family; learning to feel good about one's
own actions in the face of danger; having a positive coping strategy, or a way
of getting through the bad event and learning from it; and being able to act
and respond effectively despite feeling fear are some factors that may promote
recovery after trauma.
These, as well as other risk and resilience factors,
such as genetics and neurobiology, are being studied by researchers. With more
study, it might one day be possible to identify those who are most likely to
develop PTSD and learn how to avoid it.
Treatments and therapies
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The main treatments for people with PTSD are
medication, psychotherapy (“talk” therapy), or both. Everyone is different, and
PTSD affects everyone differently, so what works for one person may not work
for another. It is important for anyone with PTSD to be treated by a mental
health provider who has experience with PTSD. Some people with PTSD may need to
try different treatments to find one that works for their symptoms.
If a person with PTSD is experiencing trauma, such as
being in an abusive relationship, both issues need to be addressed. Other
persistent problems may include panic disorder, depression, substance abuse,
and suicidal feelings.
Medications
Antidepressants are the most studied medications to
treat PTSD, which can help control symptoms of PTSD such as sadness, anxiety, anger, and internal
stiffness. Other medications may be helpful in treating specific symptoms of
PTSD, such as sleep problems and nightmares.
Doctors and
patients can work together to find the best drug or combination of drugs, and
the right dose. Check the U.S. Food and Drug Administration website for the
latest information on patient guidelines, warnings, or newly approved drugs.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy
(sometimes called “talk therapy”) is talking with a mental health professional
to treat a mental illness. Psychotherapy can take place individually or in
groups. PTSD talk therapy sessions can last longer than the typical 6 to 12
weeks. According to research, getting support from friends and family can be
crucial for healing.
People with PTSD can benefit from a variety of
psychotherapies. Some types directly target
PTSD symptoms. Other therapies focus on social, family, or work-related
problems. A doctor or therapist may combine different therapies according to
individual needs.
Effective
psychotherapies tend to emphasize several key elements, including symptom
education, teaching skills to help identify symptom triggers, and symptoms
management skills. Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, is one effective
therapy approach. CBT may include:
• Exposure therapy. It helps people
face and control their fears. It gradually shows them the hurt they have safely experienced. It
uses imagination, writing or visiting the place where the event happened.
Therapists use these tools to help people with PTSD deal with their emotions.
• Cognitive restructuring. It helps
people feel bad memories. Sometimes people remember the event differently from
the way it happened. They may feel guilty or ashamed about something that is
not their fault. Therapists help people with PTSD see what happened
realistically.
There are other
types of treatment that may also be helpful. People with PTSD should discuss
all treatment options with a therapist. Treatment should equip individuals
with skills to manage their symptoms and
help them participate in activities they
enjoyed before developing PTSD.
Talk
therapies help people overcome PTSD
Talk therapies
teach people helpful ways to cope with the frightening events that trigger
their PTSD symptoms. Based on this common goal, different types of therapy can:
• Teach
trauma and its effects
• Use relaxation and anger management skills
• Provide advice to improve improve sleep,
diet and exercise habits
• Help people identify and deal with guilt, shame
and other feelings about the event
• Focus on changing the way people are respond
to their PTSD symptoms. For example, therapy helps people deal with reminders
of trauma.
How can I help myself after receiving treatment?
It can be very difficult to take that first step to
help yourself. It's important to realize that while it may take some time, with
treatment, you can get better. If you don't know where to go for help, ask your
GP. You can also visit the NIMH mental health help page or search online for
"mental health providers", "social services",
"hotlines" or "doctors". doctor" for phone number and
address. Emergency physicians can also provide temporary help and can tell you
where and how to get more help.
To help you with your treatment:
• Talk to your doctor
about treatment options
• Gentle physical
activity or exercise to help reduce stress
• Set realistic goals
• Stool divide tasks big
and small, set priorities and do what you can
• Try to spend time with
others and confide in a trusted friend or relative. Talk to others about things
that may be causing the symptoms.
• Expect your symptoms to
improve gradually, not immediately
• Identify and seek
comforting situations, places, and people
Taking care of yourself and others is especially
important important when large numbers of people are subjected to traumatic
events (such as natural disasters, accidents, and acts of violence).