Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
PTSD is a syndrome that develops after a person sees, is involved in, or hears of an extreme traumatic stressor. The person reacts to this experience with fear and helplessness, persistently relives the event, and tries to avoid being reminded of it. The symptoms of PTSD last for more than a month after the event and significantly affect important areas of life, such as family and work.
Symptoms of PTSD
- Painful images, memories, or thoughts after an event.
- Distressing dreams of the event.
- Feeling as if the event were recurring, or that you were reliving it.
- Being upset by something that reminded you of the event.
- Being physically upset by reminders of the event (including sweating, breath, nausea, diarrhoea)
- Avoiding any thoughts or feelings about the event.
- Avoiding doing things or going into situations that remind you of the event.
- Inability to recall important parts of the event
- Difficulty enjoying things.
- Feeling distant or cut off from other people.
- Inability to have sad or loving feelings.
- Difficulty imagining having a long life span and fulfilling your goals.
- Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep.
- Imitability or outburst of anger.
- Difficulty concentrating.
- Feeling on edge, being easily distracted, or needing to stay on guard.
- Being jumpy or easily started
PTSD needs to be treated effectively, otherwise it will progress to more complex trauma.
Therapy for PTSD
- Individual therapy
- Cognitive Behaviour therapy
- Behaviour therapy
- Family therapy
- Group therapy