When we experience or witness a traumatic event such as an accident, natural disaster, assault, or abuse, our body’s natural response is fear. However, for people who have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), they continue to feel frightened even in the absence of imminent danger. This reaction is overwhelming and can have a profound impact on overall well-being.
People with PTSD may find it difficult to navigate their daily experiences because they often feel on the edge and vigilant about almost everything that resembles the traumatic event. This heightened state of sensory sensitivity makes them overly conscious, which may lead to feelings of intense fear, anxiety, anger, and even sadness. This experience clearly describes how it feels to have PTSD.
Many of us experience a traumatic event at some point in our lives, but do not let this single situation entirely strip away our motivation, sense of purpose, goals, and quality of life. If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of PTSD, let them know that recovery is possible when they seek help early from a mental health professional.
What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a form of trauma and stress-related disorder that develops after experiencing or witnessing one or more traumatic events such as actual or threatened death, serious injury, sexual violence, exposure to war as a combatant or civilian, natural or human-made disasters, and severe motor vehicle accidents, to name a few.
While the clinical presentation of PTSD varies, most individuals show significant changes in cognition, emotion, and behaviour, which usually start within the first 3 months after exposure to trauma, although some symptoms may be delayed by months or even years.
What are the Symptoms of PTSD?
Recognising the symptoms of PTSD can be quite challenging because they share similarities with other mental health disorders, particularly depression and anxiety. But what sets PTSD apart from those conditions is the presence of the following symptoms after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event:
There are either recurrent intrusive memories of the traumatic event, distressing dreams related to the trauma event, flashbacks in which the individual feels or acts as if the traumatic event were occurring, or psychological distress and physiological reactions at exposure to internal and external cues.
The individual avoids distressing memories, thoughts and feelings, or external reminders about the traumatic event, such as people, places, or activities.
The individual may not be able to remember aspects of the traumatic event and may holdnegative beliefs about oneself, others, or the world. The individual may also experience negative emotions such as fear, guilt, or shame.
The individual may manifest irritable behaviour and an angry outburst, self-destructive behaviour, hypervigilance, difficulties in concentration, and sleep problems.
What are the Causes of PTSD?
If you are dealing with PTSD, the most crucial step is finding appropriate treatment options that suit your needs to break free from the condition. Here are some of the interventions that can be used to alleviate the symptoms and find relief from PTSD.
Regain Control of Your Life
Whether you are here to learn more about PTSD, explore treatment options, seek support, or discover ways to recover from trauma or other mental health problems, Sivana Rehab reminds you that you are not alone in your journey.
We understand that it might be challenging and consuming to share your traumatic narratives and stories, but an early intervention can transform your despair into hope.
Connect with us, and let’s begin the journey together.