Post traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

What is Post traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) ?

Post traumatic Stress Disorder is a type of anxiety problem. It can develop after your safety or life has been threatened, or after you experience or see a traumatic event.

Some examples of traumatic events are a natural disaster, severe car crash or fighting in a war. Usually, the event makes you feel very afraid or helpless. People with PTSD have trouble coping with and recovering from traumatic events and often feel the effects for months or even years afterwards.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health disorder that can occur after a traumatic event, such as a threat to life, serious injury. Some people who experience these types of events may develop PTSD. Sometimes, PTSD can occur in people who hear about trauma that occurs to a close family member or friend. PTSD can happen to anyone at any age.

Symptoms

What are the symptoms of PTSD?

You can have symptoms right after the trauma or they can develop months, or even years, later. Your symptoms may include:

People with PTSD are often depressed. Sometimes they try to feel better by using alcohol or drugs. This can lead to substance abuse and addiction.

  • Having flashbacks, nightmares, bad memories or hallucinations
  • Trying not to think about the trauma or avoiding people who remind you of it
  • Not being able to recall parts of the event
  • Not interested in life events
  • Feeling emotionally numb or detached from others
  • Having trouble sleeping
  • Being irritable, angry or jumpy
  • Being hypervigilant

Symptoms of PTSD can be grouped into several categories: intrusive, avoidance, increased arousal, and negative moods and thoughts.

Intrusive Symptoms

This is when a person re-experiences the traumatic event through one or more of the following ways:

  • Distressing dreams.
  • Feelings of fear, horror, intense sadness, or anger in response to a reminder of the trauma.
  • Unwanted distressing memories while awake.
  • Physical reactions triggered by reminders of the trauma, such as increased heart rate, shortness of breath, sweating, and shaking.
  • Having flashbacks, or feelings like you are going through the event again.

Avoidance Symptoms

This is when a person avoids thoughts, conversations, people, or activities that are reminders of the trauma. Symptoms may also include:

  • Decreased interest or participation in daily activities.
  • Loss of connection or avoidance of other people.

Increased Arousal Symptoms

This is when a person is more sensitive or reacts more easily to their environment. Symptoms may include:

  • Being easily startled.
  • Careless or self-destructive behavior.
  • Irritability.
  • Feeling on edge.
  • Difficulty concentrating.
  • Verbal or physical outbursts of anger toward other people or objects.
  • Difficulty sleeping.

Negative Moods or Thoughts

These may include:

  • Belief that oneself or others are bad.
  • Regular feelings of fear, horror, anger, sadness, guilt, or shame.
  • Not being able to remember certain parts of the traumatic event.
  • Blaming themselves or others for the trauma.
  • Inability to experience positive emotions, such as happiness or love.

PTSD symptoms may start soon after a frightening event or months or years later. Symptoms last at least one month and tend to disrupt relationships, work, and daily activities.

What increases the risk?

This condition is more likely to occur in:

  • Military servicemen and servicewomen.
  • People who have been the victims of, or witness to, a traumatic event, such as:
    • Domestic violence.
    • Childhood physical abuse.
    • Natural disasters.
    • Accidents involving serious injury.

Causes

Who develops PTSD?

Whether you’ll develop PTSD may depend partly on how severe and intense the trauma was and how long it lasted. Powerful fear-related memories of the event seem to be a major part of PTSD. People who have anxiety, depression or other mental disorders are more likely to develop PTSD. People who have been victims of previous trauma are also at greater risk.

Who is at risk for developing PTSD?

The following people may be at risk for PTSD:

  • Soldiers, prisoners of war, veterans or victims of war or combat
  • Survivors of rape, domestic violence, physical assault such as a mugging or any other random act of violence
  • Survivors of unexpected events such as car wrecks, fires or terrorist attacks
  • Anyone who has responded to traumatic events such as firefighters, police or rescue workers
  • Anyone who has been victimized
  • Anyone who has seen a violent act
  • Survivors of natural disasters such as hurricanes or earthquakes
  • Anyone who has been sexually or physically abused
  • Anyone diagnosed with a life-threatening illness or those who have had surgery
  • Anyone who has experienced grief such as the unexpected loss of a loved one

Diagnosis

How is PTSD diagnosed?

Your doctor can diagnose PTSD by talking with you about your symptoms and experiences.

PTSD is diagnosed through an assessment by a mental health professional. You will be asked questions about any traumatic events. You will also be asked about how these events have changed your thoughts, mood, behavior, and ability to function on a daily basis. You may also be asked if you use alcohol or drugs.

Treatment

How is PTSD treated?

Treatment for PTSD may include:

  • Medicines. Certain medicines can reduce some PTSD symptoms.
  • Counseling (cognitive behavioral therapy). Talk therapy with a mental health professional who is experienced in treating PTSD can help.
  • Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR). This type of therapy occurs with a specialized therapist.

Many people with PTSD benefit from a combination of these treatments. If you have other mental health problems, such as depression, alcohol abuse, or drug addiction, your treatment plan will include treatment for these other conditions.

There are many treatments available. Learning about PTSD and talking to a mental health professional who is trained in treating PTSD can help. Support from family and friends is also an important part of treatment. Medicines for depression or anxiety may also be helpful. PTSD can lead to depression and substance abuse. These problems should be treated before or during PTSD treatment.

How long does PTSD last?

PTSD can be treated successfully. However, without treatment, it can last several months to many years, depending on what happened to you and how you feel about it.

What can I do to help myself recover?

  • Learn more about PTSD, and work with your doctor or therapist to get better.
  • Check your local phone directory or online for support groups in your area.

Questions

  • Is there a treatment that will help me?
  • Should I take medicine?
  • Should I see a therapist?
  • What kind of therapy will help me?
  • What side effects will I experience from my medicine?
  • Is there a PTSD support group in this area?
  • Should I ask my family members for help?
  • What can I do to help myself at home?
  • Should I see a psychologist or psychiatrist?
  • Will my PTSD ever go away?

Follow these instructions at home:

Lifestyle

  • Find a support group in your community. Often groups are available for military veterans, trauma victims, and family members or caregivers.
  • Find ways to relax. This may include:
    • Breathing exercises.
    • Meditation.
    • Yoga.
    • Listening to quiet music.
  • Exercise regularly. Try to do at least 30 minutes of physical activity most days of the week.
  • Try to get 7–9 hours of sleep each night. To help with sleep:
    • Keep your bedroom cool and dark.
    • Do not eat a heavy meal within one hour of bedtime.
    • Do not drink alcohol or caffeinated drinks before bed.
    • Avoid screen time, such as television, computers, tablets, or cell phones before bed.
  • Do not drink alcohol or take illegal drugs.
  • Look into volunteer opportunities. This can help you feel more connected to your community.
  • Take steps to help yourself feel safer at home, such as by installing a security system.
  • Contact a local organization to find out if you are eligible for a service dog.
  • Keep daily contact with at least one trusted friend or family member.
  • If your PTSD is affecting your marriage or family, seek help from a family therapist.

General instructions

  • Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
  • Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider and counselor. This is important.
  • Make sure to let all of your health care providers know you have PTSD. This is especially important if you are having surgery or need to be admitted to the hospital.

Contact a health care provider if:

  • Your symptoms do not get better or get worse.

Get help right away if:

  • You have thoughts of wanting to harm yourself or others.

If you ever feel like you may hurt yourself or others, or may have thoughts about taking your own life, get help right away. You can go to your nearest emergency department or call:

  • Your local emergency services (911 in the U.S.).
  • A suicide crisis helpline, such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. This is open 24 hours a day.

Summary

  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health disorder that can occur after a traumatic event. Some people who experience trauma, such as a threat to life, serious injury, or sexual violence, may develop PTSD.
  • Treatment for PTSD may include medicines, counseling, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR), or a combination of therapies.
  • Find a support group in your community and other ways to help cope with stress. If your PTSD is affecting your marriage or family, seek help from a family therapist.

Seek Additional Information

Bibliography

15585

Sign up to receive the trending updates and tons of Health Tips

Join SeekhealthZ and never miss the latest health information

15856