Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders (PTSD)
By Alex fitzgerald
You might already know that fear is part of human life. It’s normal to feel afraid of something that triggers reactions to an event or situation. Most of us experience short-term symptoms of trauma and recover naturally. Imagine that there was a time when you had been bullied by someone at school that you had to deal with the incident. People who overcome a dangerous situation during or after a traumatic event experience physical, cognitive, and emotional symptoms that persist over a period of time. The levels of fear differ among individuals and groups who go through a traumatic event. A fight-or-flight response consists of defenses against harm that protect a person from danger. This type of reaction plays an important role in the body’s ability to minimize stress hormones that increase a person’s risk for developing chronic conditions including PTSD.
Research suggests that extreme reactions differ significantly in children and adults compared to those without PTSD. A mental disorder in which people have witnessed a terrifying event is known as PTSD. It is more than just general fear that causes a range of symptoms. These include flashbacks, nightmares, and uncontrollable thoughts and feelings. It has been commonly diagnosed by psychiatrists and psychologists for decades. Many of today’s clinicians in the mental health field show interest in working with patients who suffer from PTSD and helping them cope with troubling experiences. Children who are exposed to traumatic events are more likely to choose disruptive behaviors and engage in poor social situations. They may feel anxious, distressed, and guilty about the interference with their daily routines. Intense fear is the most common symptom that people continue to experience over the course of their lives. Examples of traumatic events that trigger the symptoms are natural disasters, accidents, terrorism, sexual and physical abuse, and serious illness. Most people have reactions that go away in a short time while others develop related conditions that last longer. According to the information from the American Psychological Association, one-third of patients diagnosed with PTSD recover within six months after a traumatic event has occurred.
If you have experienced divorce or death of a relative, you may be exposed to stress and trauma but unlikely to develop the disorder. If you have been injured in a car accident you are probably at greater risk for having severe anxiety and may relive through reminders of the event. Some people are afraid of heights while on an airplane, however it doesn’t necessarily mean trauma. During post World War II and the attacks on 9/11, historically these events created national fears that American survivors of the past incidents would get killed. Research has shown that child abuse and exposure to neighborhood violence are the biggest risk factors that trigger the development of symptoms. These examples are a useful way to help us recognize and understand reasons why people develop PTSD. People with this disorder don’t function as well as before a traumatic event. But the good news is that there are many ways of coping that take place through advice offered by people you trust, especially from a family member, guidance counselor, or therapist.
PTSD causes many problems in daily life. It can undermine the ability to attend to tasks, perform well in school and at work, and maintain meaningful relationships. It can also cause a combination of mental and physical health problems that may require frequent medical attention. These life consequences depend on the severity of symptoms and how much of a threat it poses. Most people who feel stressed are immune to many of these causes of trauma.
People with PTSD often avoid situations that remind them of a trauma. This results in increased lack of social support and engagement in activities, depression, substance abuse, and in some cases, suicide and death. However, anyone diagnosed with mild PTSD tend to function better and may receive guidance when under stress. Related symptoms include shock, anger, nervousness, mood swings, reliving, and even guilt. Some people experience multiple symptoms than usual. Not everyone who encounters a traumatic event develop the disorder and feel intense fear. Meanwhile, the majority of people experiencing an event feel generally stressed and their functioning improves over a short term. Each person reacts to trauma differently and has his/her own ability to manage stress, fear, and situation. There are times when people have difficulty dealing with certain things that pose a threat to them. A child born with a family history of mental health problems are more likely than healthy individuals to suffer from the illness. Data indicates that PTSD made up approximately 3.6% of the adult population across the United States, with an estimated 7.8 million Americans that will develop it at some point. The diathesis-stress models suggest people who inherit a genetic predisposition to develop PTSD experience stressors during adolescence and come from parents who fail to protect them from life-threatening events.
There are several different treatment approaches used to help people with PTSD manage symptoms after a traumatic event. Psychotropic medication and therapy are both highly effective in treating the disorder. Psychiatrists prescribe antidepressants to relieve feelings of anxiety and uncontrollable fears, while therapists teach clients about the disorder and coping strategies. For example, cognitive-behavioral therapy emphasizes interpretation of events that lead to disturbing thoughts, feelings, and perceptions of behavior. This type of therapy is an important method in which therapists have the power to change patterns of behavior and help people be aware of their problems. There is clear evidence that psychotherapy causes fewer side effects than medication. Exposure therapy is another type of treatment that is provided in a stable location. It focuses on exposing a person to traumatic situations and helping them reduce anxiety and fears. Group therapy is found to be helpful for people with PTSD who prefer sharing their thoughts and feelings to others with the same experiences. Exercise, eating a well-balanced diet, and staying connected with friends Anne family are excellent methods to prevent from developing PTSD.
When deciding which treatment option works best for you, you should:
talk with your mental health provider.
Consider the pros and cons for each treatment
Arrange a diagnosis of symptoms you have developed so psychologists can determine the severity and appropriate intervention.
