- What Is PTSD?

ADE
PTSD is a mental health problem that some people develop after experiencing
or witnessing a life-threatening event
It's normal to have upsetting memories, feel on edge, or have trouble sleeping
after this type of event. At first, it may be hard to do normal daily activities, but
most people start to feel better after a few weeks or months.
If it's been longer than a few months and you're still having symptoms, you may
have PTSD.

- Causes ADE
Doctors aren't sure why some people get PTSD. As with most mental health
problems, PTSD is probably caused by a complex mix of:
Stressful experiences, including the amount and severity of trauma
you've gone through in your life

Inherited mental health risks, such as a family history of anxiety and

depression

Inherited features of your personality often called your temperament

The way your brain regulates the chemicals and hormones your body
releases in response to stress

Risk factors
People of all ages can have post-traumatic stress disorder. However, some
factors may make you more likely to develop PTSD after a traumatic event,
such as:
Experiencing intense or long-lasting trauma
Having experienced other trauma earlier in life, such as childhood abuse
Having a job that increases your risk of being exposed to traumatic
events, such as military personnel and first responders
Having other mental health problems, such as anxiety or depression
Having problems with substance misuse, such as excess drinking or
drug use
Lacking a good support system of family and friends
Having blood relatives with mental health problems, including anxiety or
depression

Kinds of traumatic events

The most common events leading to the development of PTSD include:
Combat exposure
 Childhood physical abuse
Sexual violence
Physical assault
Being threatened with a weapon
An accident
Many other traumatic events also can lead to PTSD, such as fire, natural
disaster, mugging, robbery, plane crash, torture, kidnapping, life-threatening
medical diagnosis, terrorist attack, and other extreme or life-threatening events.

Complications
Post-traumatic stress disorder can disrupt your whole life your job, your
relationships, your health and your enjoyment of everyday activities.
Having PTSD may also increase your risk of other mental health problems,
such as:
Depression and anxiety
Issues with drugs or alcohol use
Eating disorders
Suicidal thoughts and actions
- Signs and Symptoms OLGA
Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms may start within one month of a
traumatic event, but sometimes symptoms may not appear until years after the
event.

Intrusive memories
Symptoms of intrusive memories may include:
Recurrent, unwanted distressing memories of the traumatic event
Reliving the traumatic event as if it were happening again (flashbacks)
Upsetting dreams or nightmares about the traumatic event
Severe emotional distress or physical reactions to something that
reminds you of the traumatic event

Avoidance
Symptoms of avoidance may include:
Trying to avoid thinking or talking about the traumatic event
Avoiding places, activities or people that remind you of the traumatic
event

Negative changes in thinking and mood

Symptoms of negative changes in thinking and mood may include:
Negative thoughts about yourself, other people or the world
Hopelessness about the future
Memory problems, including not remembering important aspects of the
traumatic event
Difficulty maintaining close relationships
Feeling detached from family and friends
Lack of interest in activities you once enjoyed
Difficulty experiencing positive emotions
Feeling emotionally numb

Changes in physical and emotional reactions

Symptoms of changes in physical and emotional reactions (also called arousal
symptoms) may include:
Being easily startled or frightened
Always being on guard for danger
Self-destructive behavior, such as drinking too much or driving too fast
Trouble sleeping
 Trouble concentrating
Irritability, angry outbursts or aggressive behavior
Overwhelming guilt or shame
For children 6 years old and younger, signs and symptoms may also include:
Re-enacting the traumatic event or aspects of the traumatic event
through play
Frightening dreams that may or may not include aspects of the traumatic
event

Intensity of symptoms
PTSD symptoms can vary in intensity over time. You may have more PTSD
symptoms when you're stressed in general, or when you come across
reminders of what you went through.

If you have suicidal thoughts

The resources are:
Reach out to a close friend or loved one.
Contact a minister, a spiritual leader or someone in your faith community.
Call a suicide hotline number
Make an appointment with your doctor or a mental health profesional
- Treatment and Prognosis ISRA
Post-traumatic stress disorder treatment can help you regain a sense of control
over your life. The primary treatment is psychotherapy, but can also include
medication. Combining these treatments can help improve your symptoms by:
Teaching you skills to address your symptoms
Helping you think better about yourself, others and the world
Learning ways to cope if any symptoms arise again
Treating other problems often related to traumatic experiences, such as
depression, anxiety, or misuse of alcohol or drugs
You don't have to try to handle the burden of PTSD on your own.

Psychotherapy
Several types of psychotherapy, also called talk therapy, may be used to treat
children and adults with PTSD. Some types of psychotherapy used in PTSD
treatment include:
Cognitive therapy. This type of talk therapy helps you recognize the
ways of thinking that are keeping you stuck .
Exposure therapy. This behavioral therapy helps you safely face both
situations and memories that you find frightening so that you can learn to
cope with them effectively. Exposure therapy can be particularly helpful for
flashbacks and nightmares.
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). EMDR
combines exposure therapy with a series of guided eye movements that
help you process traumatic memories and change how you react to them.

Medications
Several types of medications can help improve symptoms of PTSD:
Antidepressants. These medications can help symptoms of depression
and anxiety. They can also help improve sleep problems and
concentration.
Anti-anxiety medications. These drugs can relieve severe anxiety and
related problems. Some anti-anxiety medications have the potential for
abuse, so they are generally used only for a short time.
Prazosin. If symptoms include insomnia with recurrent nightmares, a
drug called prazosin may help.
You and your doctor can work together to figure out the best medication, with
the fewest side effects, for your symptoms and situation. You may see an
improvement in your mood and other symptoms within a few weeks.
Tell your doctor about any side effects or problems with medications. You may
need to try more than one or a combination of medications, or your doctor may
need to adjust your dosage or medication schedule before finding the right fit for
you.

Beyond Treatment: How can I help myself?

It may be very hard to take that first step to help yourself. It is important to
realize that although it may take some time, with treatment, you can get better.
To help yourself while in treatment:
Talk with your doctor about treatment options
Engage in mild physical activity or exercise to help reduce stress
Set realistic goals for yourself
Break up large tasks into small ones, set some priorities, and do what
you can as you can
Try to spend time with other people, and confide in a trusted friend or
relative. Tell others about things that may trigger symptoms.
Expect your symptoms to improve gradually, not immediately
Identify and seek out comforting situations, places, and people
Caring for yourself and others is especially important when large
numbers of people are exposed to traumatic events (such as natural
disasters, accidents, and violent acts). For more information, see the
Learn More section, below.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
- https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/post-
traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/index.shtml
- http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/post-
traumatic-stress-disorder/diagnosis-
treatment/treatment/ptc-20308558
- http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/post-
traumatic-stress-disorder/symptoms-causes/dxc-
20308550
- https://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/ptsd-
overview/basics/what-is-ptsd.asp