Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychological and physical condition that is caused by very frightening or distressing events. It occurs in up to 30% of people who experience traumatic events. PTSD can occur after experiencing or witnessing traumatic events such as:
- military combat
- serious road accidents
- terrorist attacks
- natural or man-made disasters
- being held hostage
- violent deaths, assaults, etc.
PTSD may also occur in any other situation where a person feels extreme fear, horror or helplessness. However, it does not usually develop after situations that are upsetting, such as divorces, job losses or failing exams.Someone with PTSD often relives the traumatic event through nightmares and flashbacks. They may also have problems concentrating and sleeping, and feel isolated and detached. These symptoms are often persistent and severe enough to have a significant impact on a person’s daily life.
PTSD first came to prominence during the First World War after soldiers suffered harrowing experiences in the trenches. Their condition became known as shell shock or battle fatigue syndrome. It has not been until fairly recently that it has been accepted that traumatic events outside of war situations have similar effects.The term ‘post-traumatic stress disorder’ was first used after the Vietnam War. In 1980, PTSD officially became recognised as a mental health condition when it was included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, which was developed by the American Psychiatric Association (APA).
PTSD first came to prominence during the First World War after soldiers suffered harrowing experiences in the trenches. Their condition became known as shell shock or battle fatigue syndrome. It has not been until fairly recently that it has been accepted that traumatic events outside of war situations have similar effects.The term ‘post-traumatic stress disorder’ was first used after the Vietnam War. In 1980, PTSD officially became recognised as a mental health condition when it was included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, which was developed by the American Psychiatric Association (APA).
Symptoms
The symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can occur
immediately after the traumatic event or sometimes even weeks, months or years after the initial incident.
No time limit....
In PTSD, there are often periods of time when symptoms are reduced (symptom remission) followed by periods when symptoms increase. In some casesPTSD sufferers can experience severe and constant symptoms.
Reliving...
PTSD sufferers may often find themselves reliving the traumatic event in the form of flashbacks, nightmares, or disturbing images or sensations. This can be a very distressing and upsetting experience. Often people who suffer with this may avoid circumstances, situations or people that remind them of the trauma in the fear that it may trigger off unpleasant memories, thoughts and feelings.
Hypervigilance...
Often PTSD sufferers may find themselves constantly on guard and vigilant. They may feel afraid that something traumatic might happen to them again and live in a constant state of anxiety.
Irritability...
The inability to control mood swings are also common symptoms of PTSD.
Sufferers may find themselves becominging increasingly frustrated and there may be a build up of emotions inside them
Numbness...
Emotional numbing’ is when suffers try to detatch themselves from what they are feeling, in a attempt to 'numb' the pain. This can cause the sufferer to become introspective and withdrawn.
Other possible symptoms:
Developing depression, anxiety and phobias, drug or alcohol misuse, and physical symptoms, such as sweating, shaking, headaches, dizziness, chest pains and stomach upsets.
immediately after the traumatic event or sometimes even weeks, months or years after the initial incident.
No time limit....
In PTSD, there are often periods of time when symptoms are reduced (symptom remission) followed by periods when symptoms increase. In some casesPTSD sufferers can experience severe and constant symptoms.
Reliving...
PTSD sufferers may often find themselves reliving the traumatic event in the form of flashbacks, nightmares, or disturbing images or sensations. This can be a very distressing and upsetting experience. Often people who suffer with this may avoid circumstances, situations or people that remind them of the trauma in the fear that it may trigger off unpleasant memories, thoughts and feelings.
Hypervigilance...
Often PTSD sufferers may find themselves constantly on guard and vigilant. They may feel afraid that something traumatic might happen to them again and live in a constant state of anxiety.
Irritability...
The inability to control mood swings are also common symptoms of PTSD.
Sufferers may find themselves becominging increasingly frustrated and there may be a build up of emotions inside them
Numbness...
Emotional numbing’ is when suffers try to detatch themselves from what they are feeling, in a attempt to 'numb' the pain. This can cause the sufferer to become introspective and withdrawn.
Other possible symptoms:
Developing depression, anxiety and phobias, drug or alcohol misuse, and physical symptoms, such as sweating, shaking, headaches, dizziness, chest pains and stomach upsets.
Treatment
PTSD can be successfully treated even when it occurs many years after the traumatic event.
- Trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy
- Medication, such as paroxetine or mirtazapine.
- Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR)
(EMDR involves making several sets of side-to-side eye movements while recalling the traumatic incident. EMDR aims to help your brain process flashbacks so that you can come to terms with the traumatic experience and think more positively. EMDR has been found to help many people with PTSD reduce their distress).
- Trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy
- Medication, such as paroxetine or mirtazapine.
- Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR)
(EMDR involves making several sets of side-to-side eye movements while recalling the traumatic incident. EMDR aims to help your brain process flashbacks so that you can come to terms with the traumatic experience and think more positively. EMDR has been found to help many people with PTSD reduce their distress).