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PTSD Awareness

By: Claire Butcher, LCSW

National PTSD Awareness Day, recognizes the profound effects of post-traumatic stress that impacts millions of people globally. PTSD was formally recognized as a mental health diagnosis in 1980 by the American Psychiatric Association, however was recognized as “shell shock” and “old-sergeant syndrome” in World War 1, and recorded as early as the American Civil War, known as “soldier’s heart”. PTSD was first believed to be the result from the heavy gear and harsh conditions military recruits experienced. Countless forms of misinformation surrounding the diagnosis still exist today, only resulting in discouraging discussion of symptoms and increasing stigma around processing trauma. This article will shed light on PTSD symptoms, treatments, and myths.

 

What is PTSD?

The World Health Organization estimates around 3.9% of the world population has PTSD, or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. But what makes up this diagnosis? 

 

Effects of PTSD may be expressed within the first three months after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. Symptoms are sorted into four categories: intrusive, avoidance, negative mood and thought changes, and physical and emotional reactions. 

  • Intrusive symptoms can consist of unwanted memories of the traumatic event(s), feeling as if you’re reliving the event (“flashbacks”), having upsetting dreams or nightmares about the event, or severe emotional distress or physical reactions to reminders of said event
  • Avoidance symptoms can include avoiding thinking about or speaking of the traumatic event, or staying away from people, places, activities, or other reminders of said event
  • Negative Changes in Thinking and Mood include negative thoughts about self or others, ongoing feelings of fear, shame, guilt, or anger, experiencing memory problems, feeling detached from others, not feeling interested in hobbies you once enjoyed, difficulty feeling positive emotions, or feeling emotionally “numb”
  • Changes in Physical and Emotional Reactions can involve being easily startled, feeling hypervigilant or “on guard” for danger, engaging in self-destructive behavior (drinking too much, driving recklessly, etc), difficulty sleeping or concentrating, irritability, angry outbursts, sweating, rapid breathing, fast heartrate, shaking, etc.

For children six years old or younger, it can be common to experience nightmares or reenact a traumatic event or aspects of it through play.

 

Symptoms of PTSD can vary in intensity over time, with overall stress levels, ‘triggers’, and reminders acting as significant factors. It’s important to seek mental health treatment if you find yourself experiencing PTSD symptoms, especially if they get in the way of your life (interfering with work, relationships, school, overall functioning, etc).

 

Causes & Treatments

PTSD can develop after we experience or witness a traumatic event. Oftentimes we’re taught that PTSD only develops if you’ve experienced war or military combat, however ‘traumatic events’ vary widely, oftentime presenting as situations involving witnessing or experiencing serious injury, sexual assault, abusive relationships, natural disasters, severe accidents, combat exposure, threatened or actual death, and more. Factors that may increase one’s risk of developing PTSD symptoms include the intensity and duration of the event(s), inherited mental health struggles (such as family history of depression, substance use issues, etc), personality traits, and the way our brain regulates hormones and chemicals in response to highly stressful situations. Risk of developing PTSD increases when we have longer-lasting traumatic experiences (abusive relationships, childhood trauma, etc), being physically injured from trauma, having a job that exposes you to traumatic events, (such as being a nurse or first responder), drinking or using drugs excessively, and a lack of support systems in place. 

 

Treatment can vary from person to person. Here are some common treatments for PTSD: 

  • Cognitive Therapy – types of talk-therapy can help us identify and navigate triggers, point out cognitive patterns that may keep us feeling ‘stuck’ in symptoms, and emotionally processing the event while building a positive self-narrative.
  • Exposure Therapy – this can involve safely facing situations and reminders of past trauma so you can cope with them better. Exposure is helpful for managing nightmares and flashbacks, and is a gradual process.
  • Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR) – is where we recall and narrate the traumatic event(s) in a safe and grounded environment, involving specific interventions of eye movements and breathing techniques led by the clinician. 
  • Medication – antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications are commonly used to treat sleep problems, mood-related struggles, nightmares, and anxiety caused by PTSD.

 

We’re learning new treatments and preventative measures for PTSD every year – recent studies have shown that the visually demanding nature of playing Tetris after experiencing a traumatic event can reduce risk of developing intrusive symptoms later on. Positive social support is also vital in reducing risk of developing PTSD. 

 

Mythbusters 

  • “Only veterans develop PTSD” → There are many factors that go into developing PTSD, from genetics, brain chemistry, mental health history, type and duration of trauma, and more.
  • “People with PTSD are violent” → It is quite rare for people with PTSD to become violent. Managing distressing flashbacks and ‘re-living’ events can lead some people to withdraw and others to appear fearful, but rarely violent.
  • “You can’t have PTSD if you don’t have flashbacks” → There are many ways people experience post-traumatic stress, including nightmares, having physical or psychological distress in response to reminders, etc.
  • “If you experience trauma, you’ll develop PTSD” → Most people exposed to traumatic events do not develop PTSD, and there are many factors that contribute to developing the diagnosis. 
  • “PTSD develops right after a traumatic event” → PTSD can take months to years to appear, research estimates 4-6% of people develop delayed-onset symptoms.

 

Post traumatic stress symptoms can be a daunting thing to read about, especially given the severity of symptoms and lack of support portrayed in media. However, with the right combination of social support, therapy, and/or medication, people are able to manage symptoms and live a full life after trauma. To learn how to best support loved ones experiencing PTSD symptoms, educate yourself! Visit the National Center for PTSD to learn more about how you can best support family, friends, and yourself. Through spreading awareness, showing care, and funding research, we can help foster a healing environment for everyone. 

 

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