Understanding PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disorder that can occur in people who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event such as a natural disaster, a serious accident, a terrorist act, war/combat, rape, or other violent personal assault.

It has been known by various other names over the years such as Shell Shock or Combat Fatigue, and it was observed mostly in folks who had been to war. But today, it is one of the most common mental health problems for the general Populus.

People with PTSD have intense, disturbing thoughts and feelings related to their experiences that last long after the traumatic event has ended. They may relive the event through flashbacks or nightmares; they may feel sadness, fear, or anger; and they may feel detached or estranged from other people. People with PTSD may avoid situations or people that remind them of the traumatic event, and they may have strong negative reactions to something as ordinary as a loud noise or an accidental touch.

A diagnosis of PTSD requires exposure to an upsetting traumatic event. However, exposure could be indirect rather than first hand. For example, PTSD could occur in individuals learning about the violent death of a close family. It can also occur as a result of repeated exposure to horrible details of trauma such as police officers exposed to details of child abuse cases.

Some of the most common symptoms for PTSD include:

- Intrusive thoughts, consisting of repeated, involuntary and painful memories
- Avoiding being associated in any way with a traumatic event
- Sudden emotional outbursts
- Negative thoughts and feelings that don't seem to go away

PTSD can be related to a multitude of other disorders, like Acute Stress Disorder, Adjustment Disorder, and more. This makes it crucial for everyone who has been through a traumatic experience to seek some sort of psychiatric counsel to make sure nothing bad happens.

If you feel like you have any of the above symptoms, or you would like to learn more about it, contact us at Betterfe

If you know someone who may benefit from learning more about this, feel free to spread the word.

And remember, you are not alone.

[source: American Psychiatry Association]

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