Post-traumatic stress disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after a person experiences or witnesses a traumatic event. The condition is characterized by intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, and avoidance of situations that remind the person of the traumatic event.
Most people who go through traumatic events may have temporary difficulty adjusting and coping, but with time and good self-care, they usually get better. If the symptoms get worse, last for months or even years, and interfere with your day-to-day functioning, you may have PTSD.
What are the symptoms of PTSD?
Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms may start within one month of a traumatic event, but sometimes symptoms may not appear until years after the event. These symptoms cause significant problems in social or work situations and in relationships. They can also interfere with your ability to go about your normal daily tasks.
PTSD symptoms are generally grouped into four types: intrusive memories, avoidance, negative changes in thinking and mood, and changes in physical and emotional reactions. Symptoms can vary over time or vary from person to person.
Intrusive memories such as recurrent, unwanted distressing memories of the traumatic event and reliving the traumatic event as if it were happening again (flashbacks). Upsetting dreams or nightmares about the traumatic event and severe emotional distress or physical reactions to something that reminds you of the traumatic event are common as well.
Avoidance: Trying to avoid thinking or talking about the traumatic event and avoiding places, activities or people that remind you of the traumatic event
Negative changes in thinking and mood: Negative thoughts about yourself, other people or the world, Hopelessness about the future. Memory problems, including not remembering important aspects of the traumatic event, difficulty maintaining close relationships, feeling detached from family and friends, lack of interest in activities you once enjoyed, difficulty experiencing positive emotions and feeling emotionally numb.
Changes in physical and emotional reactions (also called arousal symptoms) may include being easily startled or frightened, always being on guard for danger, self-destructive behavior, such as drinking too much or driving too fast, trouble sleeping, trouble concentrating, irritability, angry outbursts or aggressive behavior and overwhelming guilt or shame.
For children 6 years old and younger, symptoms may also include re-enacting the traumatic event or aspects of the traumatic event through play and frightening dreams that may or may not include aspects of the traumatic event.
When to see a doctor?
If you have disturbing thoughts and feelings about a traumatic event for more than a month, if they're severe, or if you feel you're having trouble getting your life back under control, talk to your doctor or a mental health professional. Getting treatment as soon as possible can help prevent PTSD symptoms from getting worse.
If you have suicidal thoughts or if someone you know has suicidal thoughts, get help right away. Reach out to a close friend or loved one. Contact a minister, a spiritual leader or someone in your faith community.
What is the treatment for PTSD?
Post-traumatic stress disorder treatment can help you regain a sense of control over your life. The primary treatment is psychotherapy but can also include medication.
Psychotherapy
Several types of psychotherapy, also called talk therapy, may be used to treat children and adults with PTSD. Some types of psychotherapy used in PTSD treatment include:
Cognitive therapy. This type of talk therapy helps you recognize the ways of thinking (cognitive patterns) that are keeping you stuck — for example, negative beliefs about yourself and the risk of traumatic things happening again. For PTSD, cognitive therapy often is used along with exposure therapy.
Exposure therapy. This behavioral therapy helps you safely face both situations and memories that you find frightening so that you can learn to cope with them effectively. Exposure therapy can be particularly helpful for flashbacks and nightmares. One approach uses virtual reality programs that allow you to re-enter the setting in which you experienced trauma.
Your therapist can help you develop stress management skills to help you better handle stressful situations and cope with stress in your life.
Medications
Antidepressants. These medications can help symptoms of depression and anxiety. They can also help improve sleep problems and concentration. The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) sertraline and paroxetine are commonly used.
References
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic