Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome
Post traumatic stress syndrome or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a type of anxiety or stress that is caused by an extremely traumatic event.
It is difficult for many people to cope once hey have experienced a traumatic event. Symptoms can last for years and can completely disrupt your life. Some of the more common causes of post traumatic stress syndrome are: - War
- Sexual assault
- Natural disasters
- Witnessing a terrible incident, such as murder
- Anything that is traumatic to a person
Signs and symptoms
- Nightmares about the event
- Flashbacks or reliving the event
- Self-destructive behavior
- Using alcohol or drugs to help deal with feelings
- Constant worry the event will happen again
- Hallucinations
- Hopelessness
- Depression or anxiety
Symptoms can appear and reappear without warning and there may be times where you experience symptoms regularly, but then they disappear for awhile.
Triggers can cause symptoms to reappear. Stories on the news similar to yours can cause you to recall the traumatic event, hearing a car backfire can cause you to relive your war experience, or just everyday events can cause you to relive the experience.
Causes
No one is completely sure what causes one person to get post traumatic stress and others to not. It is most likely a mix of genetics, life experiences, neuro-chemicals and your ability to deal with stressful situations.
When to seek medical advice
Post traumatic stress disorder can greatly affect your life. If you find that you are having trouble getting your life back together after a traumatic event, it may help to speak with a professional. Early treatment is important because it can prevent symptoms from getting worse.
Treatment
Treatment often includes medication and therapy allowing you to cope better. It often helps to talk about what you are going through with a professional. Many people experience post traumatic stress disorder, so don’t feel alone. There are many people out there who want to help.
Follow your health professional's instructions -- They know best how to treat the specific symptoms you are having.
Take care of yourself -- Rest, eat well and de-stress.
Here are some ideas you can use to live calmer.
Don't self-medicate with drugs or alcohol -- Doing this can cause more problems in the long run.
Join a support group -- It helps to talk with people who are going through similar problems. Support groups can be a wonderful source of support and friendship and allows you to realize you are not alone.
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