Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is an all-too-common mental health disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. “Post-Traumatic” refers to an event or series of events causing the disorder, whereas “Stress” relates the pressure that the events exert on an individual’s mental health, leading to the development of various symptoms. “Disorder” encompasses the maladaptive ways people cope with the trauma and the effects it has on their lives.
What is PTSD?
PTSD is a psychological disorder that can develop in individuals after they experience or witness a life-threatening event, such as a natural disaster, terrorist attack, serious accident, or violent personal assault. Anyone can develop PTSD at any age- from war veterans and disaster survivors to children and adults who have been victims of physical or sexual assault, abuse, or accidents.
Types of PTSD
Recent research has suggested that there are different types of PTSD, primarily based on the nature and frequency of the traumatic event:
- Acute PTSD: This occurs when PTSD symptoms last for less than three months.
- Chronic PTSD: This is defined by symptoms persisting for three months or longer.
- Delayed-Onset PTSD: This subtype usually appears at least six months after the traumatic event.
- Complex PTSD (C-PTSD): This is often caused by prolonged, repeated trauma, such as childhood abuse.
Symptoms of PTSD
The symptoms of PTSD may not appear until several months or even years after the traumatic event, but sometimes they occur within just a few days. They are generally classified into four categories:
- Intrusion Symptoms: These include distressing memories of the traumatic event, recurrent nightmares, and flashbacks.
- Avoidance Symptoms: These involve efforts to avoid distressing memories, thoughts, feelings, or external reminders of the traumatic event.
- Negative Changes in Thinking and Mood: These may include persistent negative emotional states, diminished interest in activities, feelings of detachment or estrangement from others, or persistent inability to experience positive emotions.
- Exaggerated Arousal and Reactivity Symptoms: These include irritable or aggressive behaviour, hypervigilance, exaggerated startle response, or problems with concentration or sleep.
Treatment and Support for PTSD
Fortunately, help is available for persons suffering from PTSD. The two main kinds of treatments are psychotherapy (talk therapy) and medication. Common forms of psychotherapy used in treating PTSD include Cognitive Therapy, Exposure Therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are types of medications often used. Support from family, friends, and support groups can also play a significant role.
Conclusion
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a debilitating condition that can affect anyone, regardless of age or background, after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. It’s important for individuals experiencing symptoms of PTSD to seek help from healthcare professionals. Therapeutic techniques and supportive measures can help individuals manage symptoms and improve their quality of life.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can PTSD be cured?
While PTSD cannot be ‘cured’ per se, with treatment, the symptoms can be effectively managed and people can resume their normal lives. Each individual is unique and recovery times can vary.
2. Can PTSD develop years after a traumatic event?
Yes, PTSD can develop years after the traumatic event. This is referred to as delayed-onset PTSD. In some individuals, the symptoms might not surface until several months or even years after the traumatic event.
3. Can children be affected by PTSD?
Indeed, children, like adults, can have PTSD. They may show various symptoms like wetting the bed after they’ve learned how to use the toilet, forgetting how to or being unable to talk, acting out the scary event during playtime, or being unusually clingy with a parent or other adults.