A person is diagnosed with PTSD when he continues to experience a range of symptoms or reactions like anxiety, fear and others after a scary or dangerous incident in their life.
Symptoms of PTSD
According to the National Institute of Mental Health PTSD is most likely to happen in people within 3 months of the trauma. Some occur in a later phase. However, for a person to be diagnosed with PTSD, symptoms must last longer than 1 month and be so extreme that they interrupt the daily activities of the affected.
These symptoms include;
Re-experiencing symptoms: Here words, objects, situations and even thoughts can act as reminders of the incident triggering these symptoms.
- Disturbing thoughts
- Physical Signs of stress
- Flashbacks of the incident accompanied by sweating, racing heart.
- Dreams concerning the event
Avoidance symptoms: These symptoms could cause a change in a person’s activities or routine. For example, if a person was hurt in the late hours of the evening in a particular street. The person may avoid taking that street and altogether stop going out late. They are:
- Avoid situations, places or materials that may act as reminders of the terrible incident.
- Avoiding thoughts, feelings or discussions regarding the traumatic event.
Arousal and reactivity symptoms: These symptoms are frequent and can cause stress leading to daily life interference.
- Difficulty in concentrating
- Difficulty in sleeping
- Anger outburst
- Engaging in risky, reckless or destructive behaviour
- Easily startled
Cognition and mood symptoms: this causes a person to be isolated from family and friends. It includes:
- Negative thoughts about themselves
- Social isolation
- Negative emotions like sadness, shame, anger
- Loss of interest in activities that used to bring joy
- Difficulty in recalling important features of the tragic incident
In children PTSD may cause inability to talk, wetting of bed after being able to use the toilet, and being unusually clingy with a parent or other adult. Some older children could be disruptive, disrespectful and destructive in their behaviours.
Who suffers from PTSD?
People who have experienced traumatic events such as sexual assaults, abuse, accidents, terror attacks or other serious events are at high risk of suffering from PTSD.
However, the National Centre for PTSD indicates that women are more likely to experience PTSD than men.
Also, Army veterans are more at risk of PTSD, and PTSD can be diagnosed in anyone and at any age.
Effect of PTSD:
PTSD could cause patients to seek comfort in ill activities like smoking, substance abuse, and incessant sexual activities which could lead to sex addiction. It could also cause depression and anxiety disorders.
How is PTSD treated?
Bestherapy.ng is happy to inform you that PTSD can be treated! This means that there is room for improvement and to get your life back in track!
PTSD can be treated by psychiatrist, or psychologists who have had experiences in helping people with mental illness.
PTSD can be treated through Psychotherapy, and medications.
At Bestherapy, there are experienced psychologists who are capable of efficiently handling cases of PTSD through which you will get effective positive change at the end.
Psychotherapy which is a talk- therapy will be employed at Bestherapy and in cases that require medication, we are qualified to recommend and prescribe the necessary medications to aid the healing process.
How can I find help?
You can contact Bestherapy by placing an appointment here. You will be handed over to abled psychologist who will ensure your recovery!
References:
National Institute of Mental Health (2023). Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder . https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd#:~:text=Post%2Dtraumatic%20stress%20disorder%20(PTSD)%20is%20a%20disorder%20that,and%20after%20a%20traumatic%20situation. Accessed on 27th February, 2024.