What is PTSD?
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a serious psychological reaction that develops in some people following an experience of overwhelmingly frightening or traumatic events.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) may develop in some people following a traumatic experience. It can affect people of any age, culture or gender.
It can result from many types of trauma, especially those which threaten life. Such events include, but are not limited to, combat, assault, sexual assault, natural disaster, accidents and torture.
In one form or another, it has been known since ancient times and descriptions of PTSD-like reactions can be found in early Greek and Roman writings. More recently, it has been called other names, such as shell shock, battle fatigue, accident neurosis and rape trauma syndrome. PTSD can affect people of any age, culture or gender.
Most people who experience trauma will have some kind of psychological reaction - this is part of a normal human reaction to overwhelming experiences. Feelings of fear, sadness, guilt, and anger are common. However, most survivors recover in time and only a small proportion will go on to develop the serious, long-term problems that are characteristic of PTSD.
PTSD comprises three groups of symptoms. The first relates to frequent memories of the trauma, which can take the form of repetitive thoughts, images, and dreams. The second group is avoidance symptoms: that is, staying away from reminders, withdrawal from social interaction, and difficulty responding emotionally to others. Finally, PTSD is characterized by heightened arousal, with reduced sleep, increased jumpiness, irritability and anger.
In time, the symptoms of PTSD disappear in most people. In a proportion, however, they can persist. Occasionally, they may appear some time, even years, post-trauma.
With War Veterans: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a response to an experience of overwhelming traumatic events. It is a serious condition that sometimes affects veterans with combat or other military experiences (e.g., peacekeeping). It can affect veterans of any age, culture, or gender.
PTSD comprises 3 groups of symptoms: (1) re-experiencing of trauma, which can take the form of repetitive thoughts, memories and dreams; (2) avoidance of reminders, withdrawal from social interaction, and difficulty responding emotionally to others; and (3) heightened arousal, with reduced sleep, increased jumpiness and anger. PTSD is often associated with other problems such as anxiety, depression, and alcohol abuse.
When to Seek Treatment: Not all veterans who develop stress reactions following their military experiences will require treatment. In time, most recover with the help of family and friends. For some, however, stress-related difficulties may persist for many years. This may be because the event was especially severe, or because there were other serious life problems before or after the trauma. In some cases, problems may not appear for several years.
Veterans who continue to have stress-related problems may benefit from some professional help. In such cases, it is important that treatment be obtained at the earliest opportunity.
For a non- war veteran: Not all people who experience trauma require treatment. Most are able to recover with the help of family and friends. However, if the event was especially severe, or the person had other life problems at the time, survivors may need professional help to restore well-being. A range of mental health professional can assist.
Untreated, PTSD can become a chronic disabling disorder, so it is important that effective diagnosis and treatment is obtained at the earliest opportunity. |
What Can You Do If You Are Suffering With PTSD?
Acknowledge the symptoms of PTSD which may be affecting you.
Recognize that PTSD can be difficult to deal with and that recovery does not occur without effort. It is not simply a matter of snapping out of it.
Review your lifestyle for appropriate adjustments; e.g., balance the daily stresses of your life with pleasurable and relaxing activities.
Take up stress reduction methods, such as exercise and relaxation, and pay attention to your physical health, especially sleep and diet.
Recognize, and try to cut down, those things which do not work, particularly the overuse of alcohol, caffeine and prescription medications.
Seek appropriately qualified professional help
Many treatments are available, but most include some of the following components:
Education: about the nature of PTSD and traumatic stress. Learning about PTSD helps to reassure the clients that their symptoms are understood and that they can be helped. It is helpful to improve understanding about common reactions to trauma and provide reassurance that the symptoms, although unpleasant, are probably quite normal. This component would include a discussion of what may be expected in treatment and the steps involved in recovery.
Stress management: to assist the individual in managing the distress that can be so prominent in post-trauma reactions. These strategies may include relaxation techniques, controlled breathing, and strategies to deal with the troublesome memories. The survivor may be encouraged also to resume some kind of normal routine in order to provide structure and security. In this way, the veteran may begin to feel able to cope again with the demands of everyday life. Specific treatment to help the person control their alcohol and drug use may also be required.
Alcohol Rehabilitation: attaining and maintaining sobriety is an important part of recovery. Specialist assistance in this area is available if required.
Dealing with the memories: to enable the survivor to confront their unpleasant experiences . This work requires individuals to work cautiously through the traumatic experience at an individualized pace and to reflect on the meaning of the event. This work can be difficult and distressing, but is important in dealing with the intrusive memories and nightmares. Thus, although survivors cannot change or forget what occurred, they may be able to view it and the world differently. The goal is to be capable of remembering what happened without being overwhelmed by distress. When this occurs, the symptoms of PTSD can be expected to reduce in intensity.
Drug treatment: Several medications have the potential to alleviate symptoms of PTSD. No single medication, however, stands out in the treatment of PTSD. Rather, a range of medications may be used depending on the specific problems of each person. Long term medication (up to a few years) may be required in some cases. It is important that medication be managed by a medical practitioner who has a thorough knowledge of PTSD and its pharmacological treatments.
Treatment may involve other components also. You may wish to talk to your doctor or therapist about what it will involve. Treatment may involve other components also. If you decide to seek treatment, you may wish to talk to your doctor or therapist about what it will involve.
Finally, contact your local VVCS office: they are an excellent source of advice about treatment services and can provide professional counseling and referral.
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Additional Information on PTSD
Help should be sought where the individual client:
- experiences problems which are severe or last for more than a month
- is constantly on edge or irritable
- is unable to respond emotionally to others or becomes unusually busy to avoid issues
- increasingly uses alcohol or other drugs
- has a strong need to share experiences, but no one is available or able to listen.
PTSD comprises three main groups of problems; they can be categorized under the headings of intrusive, avoidance, and arousal symptoms.
Intrusive Symptoms
Memories and images of the traumatic events may "intrude" into the lives of individuals with PTSD. This can happen in vivid daytime memories and dreams. For people with PTSD, it may seem as though the present has become dominated by the past.
These intrusive memories occur suddenly and without obvious cause. They are often accompanied by intense emotions, such as grief, guilt, fear, or anger. Sometimes they can be so vivid that the individual believes the trauma is re-occurring.
In traumatized children, this reliving of trauma often occurs as repetitive play in which the event is re-enacted. In young children, distressing dreams of the traumatic event may evolve into general nightmares of monsters, or threats to themselves or family members.
Avoidance Symptoms
Traumatic memories are very unpleasant. Thus, traumatized individuals may avoid situations, people, or events which remind them of the event. In extreme cases, the person may become "numb", withdrawing into themselves in an attempt to shut out the painful memories and feelings.
Individuals with PTSD often feel incapable of responding appropriately to others. They may report being unable to feel emotions, even toward those to whom they are closest.
This emotional avoidance and numbing inevitably affects relationships. It may cause the individual to withdraw from family or friends, and makes it difficult for them to engage in a normal life. PTSD can result in severe restriction of emotional contact. Often family members may be rebuffed by a PTSD sufferer who is unable to show appropriate affection and emotion.
Arousal Symptoms
Severe trauma can cause individuals to feel at risk of further traumatization. This sense of vulnerability can leave them feeling "jumpy" and constantly on guard. People with PTSD often report exaggerated startle reactions and extreme watchfulness. Sleep may become difficult and disturbed. They may feel irritable and angry with themselves, others around them, and the world in general.
Individuals with PTSD often report concentration and memory problems. This, along with the other symptoms associated with PTSD, may cause sufferers to develop problems at work and impair relationships with family and friends. |
