Aleena lived a peaceful and determined life with her husband Adam. Both had great chemistry and bond; they were often referred to as a ‘Power Couple’ by many. Aleena’s happiness could not last for long as she was destroyed when she lost her beloved husband.
More than a month passed by she could not cope with the trauma of her lost husband she used to woke up with a sudden surge of breathlessness and found herself in a complete havoc situation wherein she was witnessing flashbacks from a traumatic event of her lost husband.
These flashbacks and nightmares related to the death of her lost husband left her in a completely devasted state because of which her heart kept trenching and mind was occupied with several uncontrollable thoughts and it continued for more than a month.
Situations like this occur in everyone’s lives mental illness is one such thing that touches everyone once in their lifetime.
This leads to the emergence of a severe mental illness known as post-traumatic stress disorder which Aleena has been diagnosed with.
What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?
Post-traumatic stress disorder commonly spelled as PTSD is a chronic, deliberating anxiety disorder that develops either direct or indirect exposure to traumatic events of life.
Traumatic events may include physical or sexual abuse, assault, rape, a serious car accident, natural disasters like hurricanes, storms, floods, earthquakes, etc., witnessing the loss of a loved one, terror attacks, etc.
The DSM – 5 Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th edition view Post Traumatic Stress Disorder with the following characteristic or symptoms..
1. Intrusive thoughts which lead to memories and dreams of the trauma.
2. Avoidance of trauma reminders such as deliberately avoiding activities, peoples, or places that were or once associated with the trauma and reminding of the traumatic events.
3. Negative thoughts and irritable moods such as negative beliefs about yourself and others, persistent feelings of sadness, anger guilt, or shame.
4. Changes in daily routines of life as it causes problems with concentration, difficulty in falling or staying asleep or restless sleep, irritable behaviors, and angry outbursts, expressed in verbal and physical aggression towards people and objects.
PHYSICAL REACTIONS TOWARDS THE SYMPTOMS OF POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER.
There are physical changes or physical health problems including tiredness, headaches, chest pains, gastrointestinal disorders cardiovascular disorders, renal disorders respiratory disorders as well as impairments.
Physical Symptoms Like
1. Tension and muscular aches
2. Shakiness and trembling
3. Insomnia, tiredness, and fatigue
4. Poor concentration and forgetfulness
5. Palpitations, shallow rapid breathing, and dizziness
6. Gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
PTSD Diagnosis
PTSD isn't diagnosed unless the traumatic incident has occurred for at least one month. If PTSD symptoms are present, the doctor will begin the evaluation with a thorough medical history and physical examination.
Psychiatrists and psychologists analyze a person for the presence of PTSD or other psychiatric illnesses using specifically devised interview and assessment techniques. The clinician bases their diagnosis of PTSD on the patient's reported symptoms, as well as any functional issues induced by the symptoms. After that, the doctor evaluates whether the symptoms and level of dysfunction point to PTSD. If a person's PTSD symptoms linger more than a month, they are diagnosed with PTSD.
Types Of PSTD
The symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) normally occur within three months of the traumatic event, but they might take months or years to manifest. Symptoms may appear and disappear over several years.
PTSD Symptoms Can Be Divided into Four Categories:
1. Normal Stress Response
Before the onset of PTSD, there is a normal stress reaction. It does not, however, invariably progress to full-blown disorder. This response can be triggered by events such as car accidents, injuries, illnesses, surgeries, and other sources of excessive tension and stress.
With the help of loved ones, peers, and individual or group therapy sessions, a normal stress reaction may usually be effectively handled. Individuals who are experiencing a typical stress response should be able to recover in a few weeks.
2. Acute stress disorder
Acute stress disorder occurs in those who have been exposed to what is or feels like a life-threatening event. Natural disasters, loss of a loved one, loss of a job, or risk of death are the stressors that trigger acute stress disorders.
3. Uncomplicated PTSD
Uncomplicated PTSD is the simplest form of PTSD to treat because it is tied to a single significant traumatic incident rather than several occurrences. Avoidance of trauma reminders, nightmares, flashbacks to the event, anger, mood changes, and changes in relationships are all symptoms of simple PTSD.
4. Complex PTSD
Uncomplicated PTSD is the opposite of complex PTSD. It is brought on by a series of traumatic incidents rather than one. Abuse or domestic violence instances, recurrent exposure to war or communal violence, or abrupt loss are all major causes of complex PTSD. Complex PTSD treatment is a little more intense than uncomplicated PTSD treatment, even though they share the same symptoms.
5. Comorbid PTSD
Co-occurring disorders are referred to as comorbid PTSD. It is used when a person has many mental health concerns, often in conjunction with substance misuse problems. Comorbid PTSD is quite prevalent, as many people have many illnesses at the same time.
Therapies for Treating Post-traumatic stress disorder.
1. Cognitive Processing therapy
CPT seeks to discover these false beliefs and reconstruct them more healthily. This type of therapy typically lasts 12 sessions, during which you and your therapist work together to process what happened by discussing or writing about what happened.
2. Prolonged Exposure therapy
PE focuses on exposures to assist persons with PTSD in overcoming their avoidance of trauma recollections. Avoiding these reminders may assist in the short term, but it will impede you from recovering from PTSD in the long run. PE employs both imaginal and in vivo exposures, which entails frequently encountering trauma-related situations or individuals in the person's life that they have been avoiding.
3. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
Eye movement Desensitization and reprocessing commonly spelled as EMDR is a type of psychotherapy that is being used by the survivors of trauma.
While thinking about the trauma memory, EMDR invites participants to focus on either a sound or a back-and-forth movement. This therapy is useful in the treatment of PTSD.
4. Exposure therapy
In a secure and controlled atmosphere, talking about the event or confronting the source of the fear may help the person feel more in control of their thoughts and feelings. However, the effectiveness of this medication has been questioned, and it must be administered with caution, or the symptoms may increase.
5. Cognitive behavioral therapy
Cognitive-behavioral therapy focuses on the relationships between ideas, feelings, and behaviors, as well as existing issues and symptoms, and modifying patterns of behavior, thoughts, and feelings that contribute to functional difficulties.
6. Holistic Therapy
Alternative therapies and approaches are used in place of traditional medical practices in the holistic treatment of PTSD symptoms. Treatments for PTSD that are holistic include:
a. Massage Therapy
Massage therapy is the manual manipulation of soft body tissues to reduce stress and improve general health and well-being. Researchers discovered that massage treatment significantly reduced physical pain, tension, anxiety, and depression among veterans in a trial of integrative therapies designed to enhance reintegration.
b. Acupuncture
The insertion of thin, microscopic needles into various sites on the body is known as acupuncture. Acupuncture needles activate nerves, muscles, and connective tissue by balancing the flow of energy in the body. Researchers discovered that acupuncture helped participants improve their sleep in a trial of 60 veterans, even those who had previously been diagnosed with PTSD.
c. Yoga
Yoga is a set of movements that aims to improve one's general health and well-being by promoting mind and body control. There are many distinct types of yoga, and they come in such a wide range of forms that there are yoga options for people of all ages and physical levels.
d. Meditation
Meditation is a set of techniques that encourage awareness, or the ability to pay attention in the present moment. Deep breathing and other strategies to improve concentration, clarity, and positivity are used. A study of PTSD patients found that those who practiced meditation had fewer PTSD symptoms and improved their depressive symptoms.
There are wounds that are never shown on the body that are deeper and more hurtful than anything that bleeds.
Frequently asked questions
1. Is post-traumatic stress disorder curable?
Yes, post-traumatic stress disorder is curable with proper therapies and healing techniques conducted by a professional.
2. Can post-traumatic stress disorder turn into substance disorder?
Yes, post-traumatic stress disorder can be eventually turned into a substance disorder where a trauma patient can indulge in substances like alcohol or drugs for curing their mental pain.
3. When can you see a professional for post-traumatic stress disorder?
If you still feel anxious, agitated, etc. for about a month or more such that it starts disturbing your day-to-day life it’s the actual time to seek professional help or advice.
4. Are post-traumatic stress disorder and memory interrelated?
Yes, with post-traumatic stress disorder there is an impact on the memory as it causes spoor concentration and can lead to memory loss if kept unnoticed.
PTSD nightmares aren’t always exact replays of the event. Sometimes they replay the emotions you felt during the event such as fear, helplessness, and sadness
- Alice Cariv
When you decide to seek help, schedule an appointment with Dr. Bakshi.
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