Written by Zach Miller, Medically Reviewed by Jocelyn Riden
September 30, 2024
After witnessing or undergoing a stressful event someone may develop PTSD. If a trauma occurs from a natural disaster or a violent event the persistent effects of PTSD can disturb daily functioning and emotional wellness. To identify the need for help and effective treatment for PTSD you should learn its symptoms and treatment methods.
What is PTSD?
PTSD is a mental disorder that influences people who have experienced severe stress or trauma. Some can heal from the emotional aftermath of traumatic events gradually; however, others encounter continued symptoms that affect their daily life.
People of any age and background can face this disorder. Recognizing PTSD quickly and learning its details is key for controlling and treating the condition.
Signs and Symptoms of PTSD
PTSD can manifest in a variety of ways, but the condition generally presents itself in four key categories of symptoms:
Intrusive Thoughts
Trauma sufferers often face distressing and unwanted flashbacks of the event which can disrupt their everyday life. These intrusive thoughts often include:
- Flashbacks: Re-experiencing the trauma just like it occurred last time.
- Nightmares: Obsessive nightmares are activated by the memory of the trauma.
- Recurrent Memories: Issues with recalling the trauma frequently occur in response to cues.
Avoidance
PTSD features another important symptom called avoidance. Those affected may try to avoid anything that reminds them of the trauma, including:
- Avoiding places or people that prompt thoughts of the event.
- Avoid talking about or considering the event while trying to manage feelings.
Changes in how a person regards themselves and the world.
PTSD produces major changes in thought and emotion. Symptoms may include:
- Feelings of Detachment: Fighting isolation and estrangement from those dear to you.
- Persistent Negative Beliefs: Bowing to the idea that the environment is untrustworthy or that mistakes from the trauma are something they deserve.
- Difficulty Experiencing Positive Emotions: Falling short in experiencing joy or happiness and losing enjoyment in past enjoyable activities.
Hyperarousal and Reactivity
People with PTSD can stay in an ongoing alert or responsive condition. Common symptoms include:
- Hypervigilance: Needing to watch for crisis even when it isn’t in sight.
- Exaggerated Startle Response: Individuals may suddenly react to loud noises or shifts with fear.
- Irritability and Anger: Finding it hard to control their feelings results in annoyance or angry eruptions.
- Sleep Disturbances: Trouble staying or getting to sleep because of intensified awareness or disturbing dreams.
Treatment Options for PTSD
Life with PTSD can be challenging, though support and treatments are possible to ease the symptoms and start the recovery journey. Some of the most effective treatments include:
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
CBT is a common and scientifically supported treatment that targets the negative beliefs that are linked with PTSD. The main concept of CBT is to teach the patient how to identify and change the negative thoughts that may be worsening his or her condition. Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE) is a type of CBT that involves gradual exposure of individuals to their trauma in a controlled setting.
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
EMDR is an innovative approach that involves using the client’s finger movement to help individuals process traumatic memories. This is done while at the same time having the patient move his or her eyes in a particular manner, to decrease the emotional impact of the memories. EMDR has been seen to help in the reduction of PTSD symptoms in many people.
- Medication
Post-traumatic stress disorder may sometimes be treated with the use of drugs to alleviate the symptoms. Medications for PTSD do not cure the condition but they help to ease the symptoms when used together with counselling.
- Group Therapy
Group therapy helps individuals with PTSD to meet other people who have gone through similar experiences. This can create a good foundation for people to feel that they belong to a particular group and enable them to share their emotions with others who will listen to them without judging them. It is also important to be given stories of other people to be encouraged.
- Methods of Mindfulness and Relaxation
Some techniques like meditation and deep breathing help the patients control stress and manage the symptoms of hyperarousal. Mastery of how to maintain composure in the face of a traumatic event can help people manage their responses to the event.
If you or someone close to you has experienced symptoms of PTSD, it is advisable to consult a psychologist or other mental health care worker. If left unattended, PTSD can cause other problems such as depression, drug and alcohol use, and in severe cases, death. It has been realized that the sooner the intervention is made the better the quality of life and the better the prospects for recovery.
PTSD does not have to be a lifelong condition. Therefore through proper care and counseling, people can get back to their normal lives and start the recovery process. Contact Deland Treatment Solutions today to learn more about our PTSD treatment programs.
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