What does PTSD mean?
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after a person experiences or witnesses a traumatic event. This trauma can be a one-time event, such as a car accident, natural disaster, or assault, or it can be prolonged, such as military combat or domestic abuse. any overwhelming or emotionally-shattering experience can lead to PTSD—especially if the event feels unpredictable and uncontrollable.
PTSD is not limited to persons who have personally experienced a traumatic event. It also has an influence on witnesses and those who pick up the pieces later, such as emergency workers and police officers. It can also affect friends and family members of those who have been through the original trauma. Whatever the source of your PTSD, there are steps you may do to ease your symptoms, reduce traumatic memories, and move forward with your life.
Signs of PTSD
PTSD can develop differently for each person, depending on individual factors. Symptoms may appear immediately or take weeks, months, or even years. Triggers, like sounds or smells, can reactivate the trauma response. People with PTSD often experience a range of symptoms that can be divided into four main categories:
Intrusive Thoughts:
- Flashbacks: Vivid, intrusive memories of the traumatic event.
- Nightmares: Disturbing dreams related to the trauma.
- Intrusive Thoughts: Unwanted, repetitive thoughts about the trauma.
Avoidance:
- Avoidance of Triggers: Avoiding people, places, or activities that remind them of the trauma.
- Emotional Numbness: Difficulty feeling emotions, such as love or joy.
- Dissociation: Feeling disconnected from one’s thoughts or body.
Hyperarousal:
- Hypervigilance: Constant alertness and a heightened startle response.
- Irritability: Easily angered or frustrated.
- Difficulty Concentrating: Trouble focusing on tasks.
- Sleep Disturbances: Insomnia or difficulty sleeping.
Negative Thoughts and Feelings:
- Negative Self-Blame: Blaming oneself for the traumatic event.
- Negative Thoughts About Others: Distrust and anger towards others.
- Negative Thoughts About the Future: Pessimism and a sense of hopelessness.
Changes in physical and emotional reactions. These include:
- Problems relating to others, including feeling or showing affection
- Trouble falling or staying asleep
- Irritability
- Outbursts of anger
- Acting aggressively or taking risks
- Trouble concentrating
- Being “jumpy” or easily startled
- Increased blood pressure and heart rate
- Fast breathing
- Muscle tension
- Nausea and diarrhea
Changes in thinking and mood. These include:
- Blame yourself for the event
- Think of yourself as weak or worthless
- Feel hopeless about the future
- Be suspicious of others
- Have a hard time feeling happiness or enjoyment
Causes of PTSD
It’s important to note that not everyone who experiences a traumatic event develops PTSD. Individual factors, such as genetics, personality traits, and coping mechanisms, can influence susceptibility.
When we experience a traumatic event, our body’s natural response is to activate the “fight or flight” response. This is a survival mechanism that prepares us to either confront or escape danger. Our heart rate increases, our muscles tense, and our senses become heightened. Once the threat has passed, our bodies typically return to a state of calm.
However, in individuals with PTSD, the body’s stress response system remains stuck in an “on” position. Even when the traumatic event is over, the brain continues to process it as if it were still happening. This can lead to persistent symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance, and avoidance behaviors.
Some common causes include:
- Natural disasters: Earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, fires
- Accidents: Car accidents, work accidents
- Acts of violence: Physical or sexual assault, war, terrorism, Domestic abuse and neglect
- Serious illnesses or injuries
- Sudden or unexpected death of a loved one
PTSD Risk Factors
Anyone who has had a traumatic event can develop PTSD. But some things may make it more likely, for example:
- You’ve experienced other traumatic events.
- Your job exposes you to life-threatening situations often, such as first responders and military service members.
- You were injured during the event.
- The event went on for a long time or was especially intense.
- You have a history of other mental health problems.
- You have blood relatives with mental health problems.
- You have a history of alcohol or drug abuse.
- You don’t have family or close friends to support you.
Effects of PTSD
PTSD can affect every part of your life, including your career/job, relationships, health, and daily activities. It may also increase your chances of developing other mental health issues.
Some of the common effects include:
Emotional Distress:
- Intense fear, anxiety, and panic attacks
- Persistent sadness and depression
- Difficulty experiencing positive emotions
- Feelings of guilt, shame, or self-blame
Cognitive Difficulties:
- Difficulty concentrating
- Memory problems
- Negative thoughts and beliefs
- Dissociation or detachment from reality
Physical Symptoms:
- Insomnia or disrupted sleep patterns
- Fatigue and exhaustion
- Headaches and stomachaches
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure
Behavioral Changes:
- Avoidance of triggers and social situations
- Irritability and aggression
- Purging
- Substance abuse
- Restricted Eating
- Binge Eating
- Risk-taking behaviors
Treatment for PTSD
While PTSD can be a challenging condition, effective treatments are available to help manage symptoms and improve quality of life. Here are some common approaches:
Psychotherapy:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This therapy helps individuals identify and challenge negative thought patterns and behaviors associated with the trauma.
- Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE): This therapy involves gradually exposing individuals to trauma-related memories and situations in a safe and controlled environment.
- Psychodynamic therapy: focuses on helping you examine personal values and the emotional conflicts caused by the traumatic event.
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): This therapy involves focusing on traumatic memories while following the therapist’s finger movements. This technique can help process and reframe traumatic memories.
Medication:
- Antidepressants: Medications like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can help manage symptoms of depression and anxiety associated with PTSD.
- Anti-anxiety Medications: These medications can help reduce symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks.
Additional Therapies:
- Group Therapy: Connecting with others who have experienced similar trauma can provide support and understanding.
- Trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy: Children with PTSD can benefit from trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy. This therapy helps children feel safe, process their traumatic experiences, and develop healthy coping mechanisms. Parents and caregivers are also involved in the therapeutic process.
- Family therapy: may be useful because the behavior of the person with PTSD can have an effect on other family members.
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR): Mindfulness techniques, such as meditation and yoga, can help manage stress and improve emotional regulation.
The most effective treatment plan will vary from person to person. Consulting with a mental health professional can help determine the best course of treatment.
Types of PTSD and trauma
Trauma or PTSD symptoms can be caused by a number of stressful experiences, including military war, childhood neglect or abuse, racism, an accident, natural disaster, personal tragedy, or violence.
- Complex PTSD (CPTSD): This term describes the impact of prolonged or repeated trauma, often occurring during childhood. It leads to more complex symptoms, including emotional dysregulation and difficulties in relationships. People at risk include those who have experienced war, captivity, domestic violence, sex trafficking, refugees or childhood abuse.
- Military PTSD: Military veterans are more likely to have PTSD than civilians, particularly those who were involved in combat. Many veterans returning from military service face the challenges of PTSD. This can include difficulty readjusting to civilian life, persistent feelings of anxiety or numbness, and recurring nightmares or flashbacks. It’s important to remember that help is available to manage these symptoms and regain a sense of control.
- Racial trauma: PTSD symptoms can come from experiencing hate, discrimination, and other forms of racism. It can destroy your sense of self-worth and lead to anxiety, depression, chronic stress, high blood pressure, disordered eating, substance abuse, and even symptoms of PTSD such as hypervigilance, negative thoughts, and mood swings
- Delayed-onset PTSD: Also called PTSD with delayed expression, this means symptoms started at least 6 months after the traumatic event. Sometimes, PTSD doesn’t develop until years later.
- Secondary trauma: Secondary trauma occurs when someone experiences PTSD-like symptoms after witnessing or learning about a traumatic event that happened to another person. This can affect first responders, caregivers, and those who witness traumatic events.
- Birth trauma: Childbirth can be a traumatic experience. Perhaps you had an extremely difficult or painful delivery, required an emergency C-section, or needed additional emergency treatment for yourself or your baby. It might also have an impact on you as the partner of someone who had a difficult childbirth.
It is safe to say the above mentioned can be grouped into 4 types:
- Acute Stress Disorder (ASD): This is a short-term reaction to trauma, lasting less than a month. If symptoms persist beyond four weeks, it may develop into PTSD. E.g car accident
- Chronic PTSD: This occurs when symptoms last longer than six months. E.g war veterans
- Delayed-Onset PTSD
- Complex PTSD (C-PTSD)
How to cope with PTSD
Overcoming your feelings of powerlessness is essential for overcoming PTSD. Trauma can make you feel weak and vulnerable, so remind yourself that you have strengths and skills for coping to help you get through these difficult moments.
Here are Positive ways of coping with PTSD:
- Learn about trauma and PTSD.
- Join a PTSD support group.
- Practice relaxation techniques.
- Pursue outdoor activities.
- Find exercise you are comfortable doing and create a routine to help you stick to it
- Confide in a person you trust.
- Spend time with positive people.
- Avoid alcohol and drugs.
- Enjoy the peace of nature.
How to Help Someone With PTSD
It might be tough to strike a balance between supporting your loved one and caring for yourself. Here are some things you can do:
- Educate yourself about the disorder.
- Encourage them to get treatment, and offer to go along on doctor or therapy visits.
- Give them space, but let them know you’re available when they want to talk.
- Listen without judgment or trying to offer solutions.
- Work together on ways to manage an anxiety or anger episode.
- Participate in family or couple’s therapy.
- Encourage them to keep contact with friends and family who can be sources of support.
- Consider joining a support group for partners of people with PTSD.
Remember that your needs are important too, and don’t feel bad for living your life. For example, if your partner feels uncomfortable in crowds or social situations, do certain activities on your own.
If your child has PTSD, steps you can take to help them include:
- Boost their sense of security with a calm environment and predictable routines.
- Encourage them to talk about their feelings.
- Teach them problem-solving and other life skills to increase their sense of self-sufficiency.
- Make sure they have social activities and time with friends.
- Ask their doctor whether therapy would be helpful.
PTSD signs per age group
Children (ages 7-11):
- Emotional: Difficulty concentrating, nightmares, flashbacks, or feeling numb.
- Behavioral: Avoidance of reminders of the trauma, irritability, or aggressive behavior.
- Physical: Physical complaints like headaches or stomachaches.
Adolescents (ages 12-18):
- Emotional: Depression, anxiety, irritability, or difficulty concentrating.
- Behavioral: Risk-taking behaviors, substance abuse, or social withdrawal.
- Physical: Sleep disturbances, fatigue, or unexplained physical symptoms.
Adults:
- Intrusive thoughts: Flashbacks, nightmares, and intrusive thoughts.
- Avoidance: Avoiding reminders of the trauma.
- Negative thoughts and feelings: Difficulty concentrating, negative thoughts about oneself or the world.
- Hyperarousal: Difficulty sleeping, irritability, hypervigilance, and exaggerated startle response.
When was PTSD discovered
PTSD was formally recognized as a mental health diagnosis in 1980, when it was included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III). 1 However, conditions similar to PTSD have been recognized and described throughout history, often under different names such as “shell shock” or “combat fatigue.”
How is PTSD diagnosed
PTSD is diagnosed by a mental health professional through a clinical interview and evaluation. The professional will assess the individual’s symptoms, the nature of the traumatic event, and the impact it has had on their life.
Helplines and support
When looking for a therapist, look for one that specializes in treating trauma and PTSD. Ask your doctor or other trauma survivors for a referral, or contact a local mental health clinic, psychiatric hospital, or counseling facility.
Aside from credentials and expertise, you should look for a PTSD therapist that makes you feel comfortable and safe. Trust your instincts; if a therapist doesn’t feel right, find someone else. Therapy works best when you feel at ease and understood.
Find treatment and support for PTSD:
- In the U.S.Call the NAMI helpline at 1-800-950-NAMI to find a support group near you or search for Trauma Treatment Programs.
- UKPTSD UK offers treatment and support options.
- AustraliaPhoenix Australia offers PTSD helplines and resources.
- CanadaFind Your Local CMHA division for support and treatment options.
If you’re a veteran with PTSD:
- In the U.S.Call the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 (Press 1); call the Veteran Center Call Center hotline to talk with another combat veteran at 1-877-927-8387; or use the PTSD Program Locator to find specialized VA PTSD treatment.
- UKVisit Combat Stress or call the 24-hour helpline 0800 138 1619.
- CanadaVisit Operational Stress Injury Social Support (OSISS) for a local number to talk to a peer who has been through similar experiences.
- AustraliaVisit Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service (VVCS) or call 1800 011 046.
