UNDERSTANDING POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER & TREATMENT

Never had Sarah thought that her vacation to the mountains last year would be a shattering experience for her, tarnishing her for her whole life. On the way back from her trip, she was involved in a serious car accident. During the accident, she witnessed her close friend, who was in the car with her, suffer severe injuries and eventually pass away. Since the accident, Sarah has been struggling to cope up.

She frequently experiences vivid flashbacks to the moment of the accident, reliving the sights, sounds, and sensations of the crash. These flashbacks are so intense that they make her feel like she's right back in the car, experiencing the terror all over again. Sarah also experiences nightmares about the accident, often waking up in a cold sweat, heart racing, and feeling overwhelmed with fear.

What Sarah has been experiencing are typically the symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. PTSD stands for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. This is a mental health condition that can develop in people who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event. Traumatic  events can vary widely and may include things like sexual or physical assault, natural disasters, accidents, or any event that causes intense fear, helplessness, or horror to the individual.

Some symptoms that can commonly be seen in people with PTSD would be that they would experience intrusive thoughts or memories of the traumatic event. This could take the form of nightmares and flashbacks. When reminded of the trauma they would feel severe emotional distress. This makes them avoid people or situations that trigger memories of the event.

Some other symptoms would be negative changes in thinking and mood, feeling numb, detached, or unable to experience positive emotions. They could also feel heightened arousal or reactivity and may be easily startled. Such painful memories causes difficulty sleeping, or being irritable and a feeling of doom.

A person suffering from PTSD can significantly feel impaired and dysfunctional in their daily functioning. If left  untreated their quality of life can get affected.

However, effective treatments such as psychotherapy (including cognitive-behavioral therapy) and medication can help individuals manage their symptoms and improve their overall well-being. Here is what someone with PTSD should do:

● Get professional assistance from trauma-specialist therapists in order to manage PTSD.

● When symptoms emerge, use grounding exercises like mindfulness or deep breathing.

● Create a network of friends and family that are supportive and cognizant of your boundaries.

● Work on self-compassion and patience while addressing flashbacks and triggers.

Remember that recovery is a journey, and you can take back control of your life provided you have the correct support and coping mechanisms.

Incase you feel you are experiencing such symptoms do not hesitate to seek professional help.