PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder, is a condition that is primarily brought on because of an exposure to an event that is found to be disturbing. The symptoms of PTSD might be seen in adolescents and children of all ages, especially when they are exposed to a trauma, but the actual disorder is quite rare in those who are young. It typically involves having insomnia and frequent nightmares about the difficult event that was experienced. Frequent headaches, frequent stomach aches, and consistent irritability may also be present.
The reason why we think about PTSD today is because of how it affects soldiers who are returning from the field. Any life threatening event has the potential to create PTSD in an individual. Flashbacks are common and so is the feeling of being emotionally numb. The symptoms often have a dramatic impairment on someone’s daily life.
1. Who Can Be Affected By PTSD?
It is believed that 3.6% of all adults in the United States under the age of 54, or about 5 million people, have had at least one incident of PTSD over the course of the last 12 months. About three out of every 10 soldiers who have spent any time in a war zone will experience PTSD. It is estimated that 1 million veterans developed PTSD after serving in the Vietnam War. This condition has also been detected amongst veterans in other wars, including the Persian Gulf War, some estimates being as high as 8%.
Most of the symptoms of PTSD will occur within three months of the traumatic event that happened. Sometimes PTSD will not begin until several years later after the negative event. What makes PTSD difficult to diagnose is the fact that the duration and the severity of the illness can vary from person to person. Some people recover on their own within six months and never have to seek treatment. While others may suffer from PTSD symptoms for much longer and require ongoing medical treatment in order to live a fulfilling life.
2. How Can PTSD Be Treated?
A combination of therapies is the best treatment that is currently available for PTSD. Research has shown that a combination of CBT, for cognitive behavioral therapy, as well as group therapies and exposure therapies where the patient will repeatedly but gradually relive the frightening experience under a controlled situation will help them work the trauma. Some studies have shown that specific medications have been able to help ease the associated symptoms of PTSD and help to relieve anxiety or promote sleep.
It is not uncommon for other addictions or illnesses to be present when PTSD is present. Co-occurring depression is one of the most common associated illnesses that has a partnership with PTSD. Others attempt to cope with their stressful memory traumatic situations by using alcohol or illicit substances. Having another anxiety disorder in addition to PTSD is also fairly common. When these co-occurring events are present, the likelihood of treatment success or the PTSD is increased when every condition is appropriately identified, diagnosed, and treated.
3. Are There Any Ways to Identify PTSD Risks?
It is believed that those who suffer from PTSD symptoms during their childhood or are exposed to traumatic event as a child are more at risk of developing PTSD as an adult. It is important to remember, however, that feeling a little distressed or being emotional or anxious happens to everyone. Being a little shaky were experiencing a little fear does not mean that a person will develop PTSD. It is when these feelings of shakiness and fear and emotional distress are unable to resolve themselves and develop into a more severe condition that PTSD may become a possibility.
The best way to care for yourself if you believe that you have PTSD, either from a domestic violence incident, a dramatic warfare incident, or a personal disturbing event, is to seek immediate help and support. Do your very best get back to the team that feels familiar. The courageous and tried to talk about your situation with someone that you trust completely. Eat regularly, make sure that you exercise regularly, and make an extra effort to spend some time with family and friends.
Even though sometimes PTSD makes you feel like you could hurt someone, including yourself, it is better try not to avoid other people during stressful situations. Do want to avoid driving when you feel stressed or fearful, however, because far more likely to have an accident you are experiencing these difficult emotions. If you are struggling to cope with PTSD on your own, then body focus therapies, massage, yoga, or prescribed medications from your doctor can all help to control your distress..
4. Don’t Be So Hard On Yourself
PTSD is a difficult condition. Those who suffer from PTSD have higher risks of suicide, to a suicidal thoughts, and difficult symptoms that they may be unable to control. There are no tests that can be run in order to diagnose PTSD. Having PTSD does not mean that you are weak. Women may be twice as likely to be diagnosed with PTSD than men, but that is often because women are also more likely to seek out help.
The nature of trauma is that it likes to hang around. It can be hidden in the background, but then decide to strike East expected. Even memories that have been on the back shelf for several years can create a PTSD incident in seconds. Sometimes people believe that a trauma happened so long ago that there is nothing that can be done to treat it. This is simply not true. Even people who are in their 50s and 60s who have survived childhood abuse can finally begin the healing process when there PTSD is addressed.
PTSD can be extremely debilitating. With treatment, however, it doesn’t have to be a permanent condition. Feelings of intense guilt may be common, and this may cause sufferers of this disorder to avoid people, but family and friends can help. The symptoms of PTSD must last for 30 days before a diagnosis may be achieved. If you for someone you know is experiencing the emotional disturbances, fearful thoughts, and other symptoms of PTSD, then keep track of the symptoms and encourage your family and friends – or even yourself – to seek help right away.