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PTSD is an acronym for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. It is a mental health issue triggered after experiencing a traumatic event. A traumatic event can be a perceived or a real threat of danger, injury, or death.
Some of the examples of traumatic events are:
- Military combat/war
- Accident
- Physical abuse
- Sexual assault
- Natural disasters such as a tornado or an earthquake etc
People with PTSD experience a heightened sense of fear or danger. It alters their natural flight or fight response, triggering extreme emotions such as fear and stress, even in a safe environment.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder was once referred to as “battle fatigue” or “shell shock” because war veterans are most affected by this mental health condition. National Center of PTSD reports that PTSD was diagnosed in war veterans of both Vietnam and Gulf war.
That said – anyone can develop PTSD at any age. It results from the chemical and neuronal imbalances and changes in your brain that occur after experiencing a traumatic or threatening event. You have to remember, having Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder does not imply that you are weak or flawed in any way.
Types of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
The general public recognizes PTSD as a single condition; however, some psychology experts subcategorize it depending on various symptoms. These symptoms are a patient’s condition “specifiers” that can help in the correct diagnosis and treatment.
Here are four major types of PTSD:
Acute Stress Disorder (ASD)
ASD is not actually PTSD but a combination of two major symptoms, i.e., anxiety and avoidance. A mental health patient develops these symptoms a month or so after experiencing a traumatic event. Most people with ASD potentially develop PTSD down the road.
Dissociative PTSD
Dissociative PTSD develops as a result of detachment from the trauma. You will feel either separated from the event or as if you were outside your body.
Uncomplicated PTSD
This is a type where you re-experience the traumatic event and avoid places and people related to it. However, you do not suffer from other mental illnesses such as depression or anxiety, etc. People with uncomplicated PTSD respond well to their treatment.
Co-morbid PTSD
People with co-morbid PTSD display symptoms of PTSD along with other mental illnesses such as panic disorder, depression, anxiety, and substance abuse issues.
Causes of PTSD
Trauma is the actual cause of all the brain changes associated with PTSD. According to a study, a PTSD sufferer’s brain has a smaller hippocampus – which is an area of your brain involving emotions and memory.
That said – it is unknown whether they already had a smaller hippocampus or it decreased after experiencing a traumatic event. It requires more research; however, people with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder may have abnormal stress hormones levels setting off their over-reactive flight or fight response.
Diagnosis
There are no recommended tests for PTSD diagnosis. It can be difficult to determine what caused it because people suffering from PTSD are usually reluctant to discuss or recall the traumatic event and their symptoms.
However, if you wish to get a proper diagnosis, a professional mental health expert such as a psychologist or a psychiatrist would be the best person to help you with it.
Symptoms for PTSD
PTSD is a powerful mental health issue that can disrupt your basic physical abilities and activities. Any words, phrases, situations, or even a sound that reminds you of a traumatic event can trigger PTSD symptoms.
4 Groups of PTSD symptoms
The symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder are sub-categorized into four groups that are:
Intrusion
These symptoms include unpleasant or vivid memories of the trauma. You may experience flashbacks as if you are reliving an event. You may also experience frequent nightmares related to the trauma, and you may feel intense physical and mental distress, even thinking about the traumatic event.
Avoidance
This is a symptom that involves avoiding places, people, and situations, reminding you of a traumatic event.
Arousal and Reactivity
This category of symptoms includes trouble concentrating or constantly feeling on edge. You may experience bouts of anger and irritability, and you may give an exaggerated response if startled.
Cognition and Mood
PTSD may also trigger negative self-image and thoughts. You may experience distorted feelings of self-blame, worries, and guilt. PTSD can adversely affect your memory, and you may lose interest in people and activities you once felt passionate about.
Other Symptoms
People experiencing any of the above four categories of symptoms may also experience other mental illnesses such as panic attacks and depression.
There are various physical manifestations related to PTSD. These may include agitation, dizziness, lightheadedness, excitability, fainting, heart palpitations, headaches, etc.
Do Children Suffer from PTSD?
The answer is yes – in fact, both children and teenagers can display extreme reactions to trauma. However, some of the symptoms may be different than adults, especially in younger children less than six years of age.
These symptoms are:
- Wetting the bed – (even after toilet training)
- Being unable to talk or forgetting how to
- Acting out the traumatic event during their playtime
- Being extremely clingy to their parents or adults
On the other hand, older children and teenagers display symptoms mostly similar to adults. Additionally, they may develop destructive, disruptive, and disrespectful behaviors. They may experience revengeful thoughts and may feel anger or guilt for not being able to prevent an injury or death.
Treatment for PTSD
If you believe you have PTSD or get diagnosed with it, your professional mental health expert will most likely prescribe medication, therapy, or a combination of both.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), commonly referred to as “talk therapy,” is the most effective treatment. It will help you understand the traumatic event and purge any negative thoughts associated with the trauma.
There is another treatment known as “exposure therapy,” where you re-experience certain elements of a traumatic event in a controlled and safer environment. The idea is to desensitize you to the traumatic event and reduce associated symptoms.
On the medication front, a doctor or a psychiatrist may prescribe anti-depressants, sleep aids, or anti-anxiety drugs to help relieve the symptoms of anxiety, panic disorder, and depression. Two of the most commonly prescribed FDA approved drugs for PTSD are Paroxetine (Paxil) and Sertraline (Zoloft).
