PTSD
POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER
What are the symptoms?
After going through a traumatic event, you may:
* Feel anxious, jittery, or angry.
* Feel that you are always in danger.
* Feel upset by things that remind you of what happened.
* Have nightmares, vivid memories, or event flashbacks.
* Avoid places or things that remind you of what happened.
* Feel numb or lose interest in things you cared about.
* Have trouble sleeping or keeping your mind on one thing.
PTSD symptoms change your behavior and how you live life: working all the time, or using drugs or alcohol. You may find it hard to be in intimite relationships, feel paralyzed, become depressed (unexpressed anger), or have panic attacks.
Children can have PTSD too:
- Young children may become upset if their parents are not close by, have trouble sleeping, or suddenly have trouble with toilet training or going to the bathroom.
- Children, ages 6 to 9, may act out the trauma through play, drawings, or stories. They may complain of physical problems or become more irritable, aggressive. They also may develop fears and anxiety that don’t seem to be caused by the traumatic event.
How does PTSD develop?
All people have PTSD, because all people have lived through traumatic events in one lifetime or another, that caused them to fear for their lives, or see horrible things, and/or feel helpless. Strong emotions caused by each event create changes in the brain that may result in PTSD.
How strongly you experience PTSD depends on many things. These include:
* How intense the trauma was.
* How strong your reaction was.
* How close you were to the event.
* If you lost a loved one or were hurt.
* How much you felt in control of events.
* How much help and support you got after the event.
PTSD symptoms usually start soon after the traumatic event, but they may not happen until months or years later. They also may come and go over many years.
A recent USVA survey found that 7.6 % of warzone returning soldiers seem to have PTSD, including physical, emotional and cognitive problems. After a year at home, that number rose to 18.2 %. Those who initially had concussions and mild traumatic brain injuries did not appear to encounter new PTSD symptoms a year later.
How is PTSD treated?
The most effective treatments for PTSD are:
- Counseling , which can help you understand your thoughts and learn ways to express your feelings. Cognitive-behavioral therapy has been shown to be the most effective form of counseling for PTSD.
- Antidepressant medicines, such as selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These suppressors can help you feel less sad and worried. SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac, etc.), paroxetine, and sertraline.
You may try different practices. They can help you eliminate the causes, and enjoy a more vibrant life.