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PTSD is an anxiety disorder that can develop following a traumatic event that some people saw or lived through it.
Traumatic events that can lead to PTSD include:
War
Natural disasters
Car crashes
Unexpected death of a loved one
Rape
Assault
Sexual or physical abuse
Symptoms
Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms are three main types of symptoms:
1. Intrusive memories
2. Avoidance and numbing
3. Increased anxiety and emotional arousal
Symptoms of intrusive memories
Flashbacks
Upsetting dreams about the traumatic event
Frightening thoughts
Symptoms of avoidance and numbing
To avoid thinking, feeling, and talking about the traumatic event
Losing interest in activities that were enjoyable in the past
Feeling emotionally numb
Hopelessness about the future
Having trouble remembering the dangerous event.
Trouble concentrating
Feeling guilt and depression
Symptoms of increased anxiety and emotional arousal
Being easily startled or frightened
Irritability or anger
Being easily startled
Self-destructive behavior, such as drinking too much
Having difficulty sleeping
Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms may dont display for weeks.
Treatment
Psychotherapy
Cognitive behavior therapy
In cognitive behavior therapy, your therapist helps you identify your irrational thoughts about yourself, the world, the traumatic event, others, and your future. Then, you learn to challenge your irrational thoughts and replace them with rational thoughts.
Exposure therapy
In exposure therapy, therapist gradually exposes you to thoughts, feelings, and situations that remind you of the trauma. Repeated exposure to these thoughts, feelings, and situations helps you can react to stressful event easily.
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is another type of therapy combines exposure therapy and cognitive behavior therapy for PTSD. EMDR changes characteristics of your memories of traumatic events.
Mindfulness is a kind of meditation that could be used by itself or together with cognitive behavior therapy for PTSD.
Meditation
Medications can help symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder include:
Antipsychotics
Antidepressants
Anti-anxiety medications
Prazosin
Self-Help and Coping
Take care of yourself. Eat healthy foods, get enough rest, and get regular exercise. Avoid caffeine and sugar, when you have stress. Make time for activities you enjoy. Get enough rest.
Dont use alcohol and drugs. Alcohol and drug may give you a better feel in the short term but, addiction makes your problems worse in the long term.
Talk to others for support. Communicate with people and get help them, because their support is essential for recovery from this disease. Talk with your close friends, family, and positive people. Join a PTSD support group.
Learn about trauma and PTSD. To learn about PTSD and how to react to trauma help you for better coping with symptoms of PTSD. Talk to your doctor about your trauma and your PTSD symptoms.
Practice relaxation techniques. Relaxation not only helps you have peace of mind, but it is a process that decreases the effects of stress and symptoms of PTSD on your mind and body. Relaxation techniques also can help you handle negative reactions.
