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What is it? -

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition. It’s usually triggered by experiencing or witnessing a shocking, scary, or dangerous event.

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What is it? -

PTSD can develop after the person is affected by the traumatic experience. Although it’s natural to be scared after the event occurs, those affected by PTSD experience other symptoms.

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When was it identified? -

In the 1952 book ‘Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,’ it’s categorized as “Gross Stress Reaction,” defined as a “normal personality using established patterns of reaction to deal with overwhelming fear.”

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History -

During World War I, PTSD was known as “shell shock,” and after World War II it became known as “combat fatigue.”

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Who does it affect? -

PTSD can affect anyone, regardless of race, ethnicity, sex, or age. It’s estimated that in the US alone about seven or eight out of 100 people will have PTSD at some point in their lives.

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Sympathetic nervous system -

Our bodies are designed to respond to stressful and dangerous situations by activating a number of processes that will allow us to avoid danger by either freezing, fighting, or escaping from it.

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Fight-or-flight response -

While it’s normal for this response to kick in during certain situations, those who suffer from PTSD tend to be reverted to the traumatic experience in various ways, and their bodies respond accordingly.

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When do symptoms appear? -

PTSD symptoms usually appear sometime after the experience. This varies greatly, depending on the person, with some people not developing PTSD until years after the traumatic experience.

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How does it manifest? -

People with PTSD experience disturbing thoughts and feelings, including alertness and fear, even though they are in no real danger.

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How does it manifest? -

Symptoms can be triggered by numerous things. Sometimes a simple sound is enough to make someone relive the event. There are many psychological and physical symptoms associated with PTSD.

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Symptoms -

PTSD symptoms are divided into four categories: intrusion, avoidance, alterations in cognition and mood, and alterations in arousal and reactivity.

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Intrusion (or intrusive memories and thoughts) -

Involuntary thoughts, flashbacks, and disturbing, vivid dreams of the traumatic experience are among the most common symptoms. People continue to relive the event over and over again.

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Avoidance -

This includes avoiding anything that might remind the person of the event, including thinking and talking about it. It also includes avoiding people, places, or activities that may trigger any memories.

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Alterations in cognition and mood -

People sometimes are unable to recall details about the event. Or they might have a distorted idea of what happened, assume blame, feel guilty, detached, and not trust other people.

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Alterations in arousal and reactivity -

Irritability, anger outbursts, self-destructing behavior, and problems focusing and sleeping are among some of the most common symptoms.

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Children -

Children might develop different symptoms to those experienced by adults. These might include wetting the bed, not talking, acting out the event during playtime, or being excessively clingy.

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Types of traumatic events -

There are many types of traumatic events that can cause PTSD, including  being exposed to war, physical and/or sexual assault, accidents, childhood abuse, a robbery, natural disaster, and other life-threatening events.

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Is it always PTSD? -

Some of these symptoms are indeed experienced by many people when exposed to traumatic events. Though for it to be considered PTSD, it usually must last for over a month and cause significant distress or problems in the person’s life.

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Intensity of symptoms -

These can vary. One person might be doing fairly well, and then is exposed to a similar event on TV, for example, and that’s enough to relive the experience and trigger a number of symptoms.

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Why do some people get PTSD and others don’t? -

This is likely due to a combination of factors. From the severity of the experience, to personality traits, inherited mental health risks, and even how a person’s brain regulates stress can have an influence.

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Who’s more at risk? -

Some people are more at risk of developing PTSD, including those who are exposed to traumatic events through their jobs, such as first responders and military personnel.

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Who’s more at risk? -

People who suffered other traumas earlier in life (e.g. child abuse), those who suffer from other mental health problems, and those who struggle with substance abuse are also at higher risk.

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Who’s more at risk? -

Those with a lack of a solid support network, including family and friends, are also more at risk of developing PTSD following a traumatic event.

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Impact -

PTSD can really have an impact in people's lives. It can also increase the risk of depression and anxiety, developing eating disorders, substance abuse, and even increase risk of suicide.

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Treatment -

Medications such as antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs are sometimes used to manage symptoms temporarily, but treatment for PTSD is usually done through psychotherapy.

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Treatment -

Various types of trauma-focused psychotherapies have proven to be effective in the treatment of PTSD, including prolonged exposure (PE) and cognitive processing therapy (CPT).

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Treatment -

Other methods used include eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), stress inoculation training (SIT), and group therapy.

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Treatment -

Alternative therapies such as animal-assisted therapy and acupuncture are also used by some people to help deal with PTSD.

Sources: (American Psychiatric Association) (National Center for PTSD) (Mayo Clinic) (NHS) (National Institute of Mental Health)

See also: Everyday things you didn’t realize are harming your mental health

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