What is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?
Post Traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that's triggered by a terrifying event — either experiencing it or witnessing it. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event.
Everyone who goes through a traumatic event will have some level of emotional reaction. But if the symptoms last more than a few weeks, it may be PTSD.
PTSD can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, race or income. It can also occur after a wide range of traumatic events — from combat to sexual assault to a natural disaster.
The good news is that PTSD is treatable. With therapy and medication, most people with PTSD can get better and lead normal, productive lives.
Symptoms of PTSD
The main symptoms of PTSD are:
Reliving the event: Flashbacks, nightmares and unwanted thoughts about the event.
Avoidance of thinking or talking about the event: You may try to avoid thinking or talking about the event, or you may avoid places or people that remind you of it.
Avoidance of feeling emotions: You may try to avoid feeling emotions, or you may have trouble feeling happy or loving.
Negative changes in mood: You may feel numb, on edge, or have trouble controlling your anger.
Changes in physical or emotional reactions: You may have trouble sleeping, have trouble concentrating, or have changes in your eating habits.
Causes of PTSD
PTSD is caused by a traumatic event. This could be anything from a natural disaster to a car accident to a violent crime. The event doesn't have to be life-threatening, but it must have been very frightening or shocking.
Risk factors for PTSD
Some people are more likely to develop PTSD than others. These risk factors include:
Having a history of mental health problems, such as depression or anxiety
Having a family history of PTSD
Being young when the traumatic event happened
Having a close relationship with the person who was killed or injured in the event
Experiencing multiple traumatic events
Treatment for PTSD
There are two main types of treatment for PTSD: therapy and medication.
Therapy can help you to understand and cope with your PTSD symptoms. There are many different types of therapy that can be helpful for PTSD, including:
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): This type of therapy helps you to change the way you think about and react to the traumatic event.
Exposure therapy: This type of therapy helps you to face your fears and learn how to cope with them.
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR): This type of therapy helps you to process the traumatic event and reduce your symptoms.
Medication can help to reduce the symptoms of PTSD, such as anxiety and depression. Medication is not a cure for PTSD, but it can help you to feel better and function better while you are in therapy.
Living with PTSD
If you have PTSD, it's important to remember that you're not alone. There are many people who understand what you're going through and can help you. There are also many resources available to help you cope with PTSD, including:
Therapy
Medication
Support groups
Online resources
If you think you may have PTSD, it's important to see a doctor or mental health professional. They can help you to get the diagnosis and treatment you need.