Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Reliving the Trauma

What Is Post-traumatic Stress Disorder?

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a type of anxiety disorder. It is triggered after encountering traumatic events in one's life. However, not everyone who undergoes a negative experience and stress has PTSD. Also, it may resolve by itself in some with the help of one's natural coping mechanism. In others, it can stay on and continue for a month, causing more struggles. Women are more affected than men.

What Are the Causes?

• Physical, verbal or sexual abuse.

• Accidents.

• Emotional stress.

What Are the Symptoms?

Symptoms may start sooner or later after the traumatic event. So, it is important to wait for four weeks and observe if symptoms subside by themselves. The symptoms can be classified into four types. The intensity varies in every individual, depending on the type and extent of the trauma endured.

Type I - Intrusive Thoughts:

Having repeated and uncontrollable memories of the past unpleasant episode (flashback).

• Nightmares relating to the trauma experienced before.

• Being fearful most of the time.

• Being reminded of the bitter experience as a response to other triggers.

Type II - Avoidance:

• Avoiding or trying to avoid thoughts about the event as a self-copying mechanism.

• Abstaining from situations, people, or things they relate to the distressful situation.

Type III - Mood Changes:

• Constant negative thoughts.

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• A cynical and pessimistic outlook on the world and people.

• Misplaced anger.

• Feeling of hopelessness.

• Lack of interest in activities previously enjoyed.

• Emotional numbness.

• Feeling shameful and guilty.

Type IV - Arousal:

• Easily shocked.

• Being alert always (perceiving a non-existing danger).

• Trouble falling asleep.

• Feeling difficult to focus.

• Loss of concentration.

• Reckless and self-harming behavior.

• Extremely aggressive.

• Explosive anger outbursts.

How Is It Diagnosed?

Psychologists and psychiatrists follow the Diagnostic and statistical manual (DSM-5) to assess the condition of the patient. They categorize the patient into different types and then formulate the treatment plan.

Why Living in the Past Can Be Bad?

Living both in the past and future is not good for mental health. Re-thinking too much about past events can lead to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Too much dreaming about the future can make a person lose the ability to live in the present moment. This might create a small degree of anxiety. It is always healthy to forget the bad events in the past and live each day like a new one.

What Is Misplaced Anger and How Bad It Could Be?

Misplaced anger is the expression of rage showered on someone or something else when the person or object is actually not the reason. The person who accepts the anger outburst from the other side might develop a victim mentality. This happens especially in post-traumatic stress disorder. The person might have dumped lots of negative thoughts and emotions, which get expressed in an impulsive manner someday.

What Is Self-Harm Behavior?

Self-harm is the behavior of an individual to hurt or harm themselves with blades or any sharp instruments. They may end up bleeding. This behavior in them might cause temporary relief by making them numb about the present emotional trauma. Self-harming behavior is known to cause suicide in some individuals. Having such a person at home might cause a high level of stress for their family members. This is an indication of borderline personality disorder. People under this category will have extreme emotions and behavior in a way that is highly impulsive.

What Are the Risk Factors?

1. Undergoing severe emotional trauma.

2. A person who is already under depression or anxiety.

3. A familial tendency for mental health issues.

4. History of assault or abuse during the early years.

5. Existing mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression.

6. Seeing first-hand someone dying.

7. Resorting to alcohol or drug abuse to cope with trauma.

8. Not having a support system to fall back on.

9. Some people are more prone to personality disorders because of the different ways of functioning of the brain.

What Are the Most Common Traumatic Conditions?

1. Living in abusive environments and relationships.

2. First-hand exposure to war, combat, or mortal danger.

3. Natural calamities such as flood, fire, etc.

4. Being a victim of sexual abuse, assault, or rape.

5. Experiencing terrorist attacks at close range.

6. Sudden loss of a loved one.

7. Early childhood trauma or abuse.

8. Being in or witnessing a major road accident or plane crash.

What Are the Complications?

1. PTSD can mess up the victim's health.

2. It can ruin relationships with family and friends.

3. It can lead to isolation and a lack of social life as peers fail to understand their reactions.

4. This can cause trouble in keeping a steady job.

5. It also increases the risk of other mental illnesses.

6. Suicidal thoughts.

What Is the Treatment?

1. Monitoring: In the initial days, watching without starting official treatment to observe if symptoms subside on their own.

2. Mental and Emotional Release Therapy (MER): It helps people take away stressful emotions. These massages are known to make a person cry during the massage session. This might reduce the emotional load to a great extent.

• Seeking support from friends, family, support groups, and faith healing in the community. Faith healing can be done by religious prayers.

• Psychotherapy, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), group therapy, and alternative therapy.

3. Medications: Medications such as antidepressants may be prescribed and used as an adjunct to therapy.

When to See a Doctor?

Constantly recalling the horrifying experience after going through one is a natural human tendency. But, it is not normal for a person to have prolonged distress. These are the conditions that should be considered seriously.

• When stress persists for weeks to months afterward.

• Affecting daily routine and social life.

• Causing behavioral changes.

• Causing other health issues.

• Leading to drug dependence and alcohol dependence.

Sharing mental worries will not be comfortable sometimes. If a person is experiencing suicidal thoughts or any other issues, call a doctor online.

Conclusion:

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is considered to be a positive factor in one way as it helps to cope with the stressful past event. When the event happens again, the person may be able to cope up with the distress. There will be increased amounts of adrenaline, which helps to lessen the level of distress.