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If you went through a traumatic
experience and are having trouble getting back
to your regular life and reconnecting to others,
you may be suffering from post-traumatic stress
disorder (PTSD). When you have PTSD, it can
seem like you’ll never get over what happened
or feel normal again. But help is available
– and you are not alone. If you are willing
to seek treatment, stick with it, and reach
out to others for support, you will be able
to overcome the symptoms of PTSD and move on
with your life.
What
is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?
Wendy’s Story
Three months ago, Wendy was in a major car
accident. She sustained only minor injuries,
but two friends riding in her car were killed.
At first, the accident seemed like just a bad
dream. Then Wendy started having nightmares
about it: waking up in a cold sweat to the sound
of crunching metal and breaking glass. Now,
the sights and sounds of the accident haunt
her all the time. She has trouble sleeping at
night, and during the day she feels irritable
and on edge. She jumps whenever she hears a
siren or screeching tires, and she avoids all
TV programs that might show a car chase or accident
scene. Wendy also avoids driving whenever possible,
and refuses to go anywhere near the site of
the crash.
Post-traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD) is a disorder that can develop following
a traumatic event that threatens your safety
or makes you feel helpless. Most people associate
PTSD with battle-scarred soldiers – and
military combat is the most common cause in
men – but any overwhelming life experience
can trigger PTSD, especially if the event is
perceived as unpredictable and uncontrollable.
Post-traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD) can affect those who personally experience
the catastrophe, those who witness it, and those
who pick up the pieces afterwards, including
emergency workers and law enforcement officers.
It can even occur in the friends or family members
of those who went through the actual trauma.
Traumatic events that
can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
include:
• War
• Rape
• Natural disasters
• A car or plane crash • Kidnapping
• Violent assault
• Sexual or physical abuse
• Medical procedures (especially in kids)
PTSD is a response by
normal people to an abnormal situation
The traumatic events that lead
to post-traumatic stress disorder are usually
so overwhelming and frightening that they would
upset anyone. When your sense of safety and
trust are shattered, it’s normal to feel
crazy, disconnected, or numb – and most
people do. The only difference between people
who go on to develop PTSD and those who don’t
is how they cope with the trauma.
After a traumatic experience,
the mind and the body are in shock. But as you
make sense of what happened and process your
emotions, you come out of it. With post-traumatic
stress disorder (PTSD), however, you remain
in psychological shock. Your memory of what
happened and your feelings about it are disconnected.
In order to move on, it’s important to
face and feel your memories and emotions.
Symptoms
of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Following a traumatic event,
almost everyone experiences at least some of
the symptoms of PTSD. It’s very common
to have bad dreams, feel fearful or numb, and
find it difficult to stop thinking about what
happened. But for most people, these symptoms
are short-lived. They may last for several days
or even weeks, but they gradually lift.
If you have post-traumatic
stress disorder (PTSD), however, the symptoms
don’t decrease. You don’t feel a
little better each day. In fact, you may start
to feel worse. But PTSD doesn’t always
develop in the hours or days following a traumatic
event, although this is most common. For some
people, the symptoms of PTSD take weeks, months,
or even years to develop.
The symptoms of post-traumatic
stress disorder (PTSD) can arise suddenly, gradually,
or come and go over time. Sometimes symptoms
appear seemingly out of the blue. At other times,
they are triggered by something that reminds
you of the original traumatic event, such as
a noise, an image, certain words, or a smell.
While everyone experiences PTSD differently,
there are three main types of symptoms, as listed
below.
Re-experiencing the
traumatic event
• Intrusive, upsetting
memories of the event
• Flashbacks (acting or feeling like the
event is happening again)
• Nightmares (either of the event or of
other frightening things)
• Feelings of intense distress when reminded
of the trauma
• Intense physical reactions to reminders
of the event (e.g. pounding heart, rapid breathing,
nausea, muscle tension, sweating)
PTSD symptoms of avoidance
and emotional numbing
• Avoiding activities,
places, thoughts, or feelings that remind you
of the trauma
• Inability to remember important aspects
of the trauma
• Loss of interest in activities and life
in general
• Feeling detached from others and emotionally
numb
• Sense of a limited future (you don’t
expect to live a normal life span, get married,
have a career)
PTSD symptoms of increased
arousal
• Difficulty falling
or staying asleep
• Irritability or outbursts of anger
• Difficulty concentrating
• Hypervigilance (on constant “red
alert”)
• Feeling jumpy and easily startled
Other common symptoms
of post-traumatic stress disorder
• Anger and irritability
• Guilt, shame, or self-blame
• Substance abuse
• Depression and hopelessness
• Suicidal thoughts and feelings
• Feeling alienated and alone
• Feelings of mistrust and betrayal
• Headaches, stomach problems, chest pain
Getting
help for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
If you suspect that you or
a loved one has post-traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD), it’s important to seek help right
away. The sooner PTSD is confronted, the easier
it is to overcome. If you’re reluctant
to seek help, keep in mind that PTSD is not
a sign of weakness, and the only way to overcome
it is to confront what happened to you and learn
to accept it as a part of your past. This process
is much easier with the guidance and support
of an experienced therapist or doctor.
It’s only natural to
want to avoid painful memories and feelings.
But if you try to numb yourself and push your
memories away, post-traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD) will only get worse. You can’t
escape your emotions completely – they
emerge under stress or whenever you let down
your guard – and trying to do so is exhausting.
The avoidance will ultimately harm your relationships,
your ability to function, and the quality of
your life.
Why Should I Seek Help
for PTSD?
• Early treatment is
better. Symptoms of PTSD may get worse. Dealing
with them now might help stop them from getting
worse in the future. Finding out more about
what treatments work, where to look for help,
and what kind of questions to ask can make it
easier to get help and lead to better outcomes.
• PTSD symptoms can change
family life. PTSD symptoms can get in the way
of your family life. You may find that you pull
away from loved ones, are not able to get along
with people, or that you are angry or even violent.
Getting help for your PTSD can help improve
your family life.
• PTSD can be related
to other health problems. PTSD symptoms can
worsen physical health problems. For example,
a few studies have shown a relationship between
PTSD and heart trouble. By getting help for
your PTSD you could also improve your physical
health.
Source: National Center
for PTSD
Finding
a therapist for post-traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD)
When looking for a therapist
for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), seek
out mental health professionals who specialize
in the treatment of trauma and PTSD. You can
start by asking your doctor if he or she can
provide a referral, however, he or she may not
know therapists with experience treating trauma.
You may also want to ask other trauma survivors
for recommendations, or call a local mental
health clinic, psychiatric hospital, or counseling
center.
Beyond credentials and experience,
it’s important to find a PTSD therapist
who makes you feel comfortable and safe, so
there is no additional fear or anxiety about
the treatment itself. Trust your gut; if a therapist
doesn’t feel right, look for someone else.
For therapy to work, you need to feel respected
and understood.
Help for U.S. veterans
with PTSD
If you’re a veteran suffering
from PTSD or trauma, you can turn to your local
VA hospital or Vet Center for help. Vet Centers
offer free counseling to combat veterans and
their families. To find out more about the resources
and benefits available to you, you can also
call the VA Health Benefits Service Center at
1-877-222-VETS.
Treatment
for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Treatment for post-traumatic
stress disorder (PTSD) relieves symptoms by
helping you deal with the trauma you’ve
experienced. Rather than avoiding the trauma
and any reminder of it, you’ll be encouraged
in treatment to recall and process the emotions
and sensations you felt during the original
event. In addition to offering an outlet for
emotions you’ve been bottling up, treatment
for PTSD will also help restore your sense of
control and reduce the powerful hold the memory
of the trauma has on your life.
Types of treatments
for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Trauma-focused
cognitive-behavioral therapy. Cognitive-behavioral
therapy for PTSD and trauma involves carefully
and gradually “exposing” yourself
to thoughts, feelings, and situations that remind
you of the trauma. Therapy also involves identifying
upsetting thoughts about the traumatic event–particularly
thoughts that are distorted and irrational—and
replacing them with more balanced picture.
• EMDR (Eye Movement
Desensitization and Reprocessing) –
EMDR incorporates elements of cognitive-behavioral
therapy with eye movements or other forms of
rhythmic, left-right stimulation, such as hand
taps or sounds. Eye movements and other bilateral
forms of stimulation are thought to work by
“unfreezing” the brain’s information
processing system, which is interrupted in times
of extreme stress, leaving only frozen emotional
fragments which retain their original intensity.
Once EMDR frees these fragments of the trauma,
they can be integrated into a cohesive memory
and processed.
• Family therapy.
Since PTSD affects both you and those close
to you, family therapy can be especially productive.
Family therapy can help your loved ones understand
what you’re going through. It can also
help everyone in the family communicate better
and work through relationship problems.
• Medication.
Medication is sometimes prescribed to people
with PTSD to relieve secondary symptoms of depression
or anxiety, but it does not treat the causes
of PTSD.
Self-help
and support for post-traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD)
Recovery from post-traumatic
stress disorder (PTSD) is a gradual, ongoing
processing. Healing doesn’t happen overnight,
nor do the memories of the trauma ever disappear
completely. This can make life seem difficult
at times. But there are many things you can
do to cope with residual symptoms and reduce
your anxiety and fear.
Reach out to others
for support
Post-traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD) can make you feel disconnected from others.
You may be tempted to withdraw from social activities
and your loved ones. But it’s important
to stay connected to life and the people who
care about you. Support from other people is
vital to your recovery from PTSD, so ask your
close friends and family members for their help
during this tough time.
Also consider joining a support
group for survivors of the same type of trauma
you went through. Support groups for post-traumatic
stress disorder (PTSD) can help you feel less
isolated and alone. They also provide invaluable
information on how to cope with symptoms and
work towards recovery. If you can’t find
a support group in your area, look for an online
group.
Avoid alcohol and drugs
When you’re struggling
with the difficult emotions and traumatic memories,
you may be tempted to self-medicate with alcohol
or drugs. But while alcohol or drugs may temporarily
make you feel better, they make post-traumatic
stress disorder (PTSD) worse in the long run.
Substance use worsens many symptoms of PTSD,
including emotional numbing, social isolation,
anger, and depression. It also interferes with
treatment and can add to problems at home and
in your relationships.
Challenge your sense
of helplessness
Overcoming your sense of helplessness
is key to overcoming post-traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD). Trauma leaves you feeling powerless
and vulnerable. It’s important to remind
yourself that you have strengths and coping
skills that can get you through tough times.
One of the best ways to reclaim
your sense of power is by helping others: volunteer
your time, give blood, reach out to a friend
in need, or donate to your favorite charity.
Taking positive action directly challenges the
sense of helplessness that contributes to trauma.
Post-traumatic
stress disorder (PTSD) and the family
If a loved one has post-traumatic
stress disorder (PTSD), it’s essential
that you take care of yourself and get extra
support. PTSD can take a heavy toll on the family
if you let it. It can be hard to understand
why your loved one won’t open up to you
– why he or she is less affectionate and
more volatile. The symptoms of PTSD can also
result in job loss, substance abuse, and other
stressful problems.
Letting your family member’s
PTSD dominate your life while ignoring your
own needs is a surefire recipe for burnout.
In order to take care of your loved one, you
first need to take care of yourself. It’s
also helpful to learn all you can about post-traumatic
stress disorder (PTSD). The more you know about
the symptoms and treatment options, the better
equipped you'll be to help your loved one and
keep things in perspective.
Helping a loved one
with PTSD
• Be patient
and understanding. Getting better takes
time, even when a person is committed to treatment
for PTSD. Be patient with the pace of recovery
and offer a sympathetic ear. A person with PTSD
may need to talk about the traumatic event over
and over again. This is part of the healing
process, so avoid the temptation to tell your
loved one to stop rehashing the past and move
on.
• Try to anticipate
and prepare for PTSD triggers. Common
triggers include anniversary dates; people or
places associated with the trauma; and certain
sights, sounds, or smells. If you are aware
of what triggers may cause an upsetting reaction,
you’ll be in a better position to offer
your support and help your loved one calm down.
• Don’t
take the symptoms of PTSD personally.
Common symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD) include emotional numbness, anger, and
withdrawal. If your loved one seems distant,
irritable, or closed off, remember that this
may not have anything to do with you or your
relationship.
• Don’t
pressure your loved one into talking.
It is very difficult for people with PTSD to
talk about their traumatic experiences. For
some, it can even make things worse. Never try
to force your loved one to open up. Let the
person know, however, that you’re there
when and if he or she wants to talk.
Related links for post-traumatic
stress disorder (PTSD)
General
information about post-traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD)
Post-Traumatic
Stress Disorder Research Fact Sheet –
Overview of the latest research on PTSD, including
its causes, risk factors, and promising new
treatments. (National Institute of Mental Health)
Myths and
Facts About PTSD – Learn the truth behind
common misconceptions about PTSD. (Post-traumatic
Stress Disorder Alliance)
How Common
is PTSD? – Fact sheet on the prevalence
of PTSD in the U.S., including its occurrence
in the military. Also includes information on
PTSD causes and risk factors. (National Center
for PTSD)
Symptoms
of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Post-Traumatic
Stress Disorder Self-Test – Online self-test
for PTSD to help you evaluate your symptoms.
(Anxiety Disorders Association of America)
The Symptoms
of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Chronic and/or
Delayed – Description of PTSD’s
many symptoms, including withdrawal, avoidance,
isolation, and flashbacks. (PTSD Support Services)
Treatment
and help for post-traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD)
Treatment
of PTSD – Guide to the treatments for
PTSD, including cognitive therapy, exposure
therapy, and EMDR. (National Center for PTSD)
Finding a
Therapist – Advice on how to find a therapist
for PTSD treatment. Includes questions to ask
a potential therapist. (National Center for
PTSD)
Therapy for
Post-Traumatic Stress and Dissociative Conditions:
What to Look for and How to Choose a Therapist
– Tips on choosing a therapist and treatments
for PTSD. Includes a phone number for referrals.
(Sidran)
VVA's Guide
on PTSD – Advice for combat veterans on
how to get help and claim military benefits.
(Vietnam Veterans of America)
Coping
with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Coping with
PTSD and Recommended Lifestyle Changes for PTSD
Patients – Tips on how to cope with PTSD
in healthy ways that promote healing and recovery.
(National Center for PTSD)
Managing Stress
and Recovering from Trauma: Facts and Resources
for Veterans and Families – Learn how
to manage traumatic stress and cope with the
symptoms of PTSD. (National Center for PTSD)
Helping
a loved one with post-traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD)
Returning
from the War Zone: A Guide for Families (PDF)
– Advice for service members and their
families on what to expect and how to adapt
after returning home from war. (National Center
for PTSD)
Partners with
PTSD – Article for the friends and family
members of people with PTSD. Includes an explanation
of symptoms and what you can do to help. (Gift
from Within)
Partners of
Veterans with PTSD: Caregiver Burden and Related
Problems – Learn how to help a loved one
with PTSD while still taking care of yourself.
Includes tips for dealing with caregiver burnout.
(National Center for PTSD)
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