POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS SYNDROME

Posttraumatic stress syndrome is a mental health condition caused by witnessing or experiencing a terrifying or triggered incident. Symptoms include severe flashbacks, anxiety, nightmares, and uncontrollable thoughts about the occurrence.

Moreover, most people who have been through traumatic experiences may have difficulty coping and adapting, but they usually get better in time and with sufficient self-care. If your symptoms worsen, linger for months or perhaps years, you may get this condition and interfere with your regular functioning.

It is critical to seek proper treatment as soon as signs of the disorder develop to reduce discomfort and improve function.

SYMPTOMS

Symptoms of posttraumatic stress syndrome might occur within a month following a stressful experience or years later. These symptoms generate severe social, occupational, and interpersonal issues. They may also hinder your ability to do regular duties.

Symptoms may change continuously either between people. Symptoms of this condition may be:

Changes in emotional and physical reactions

  • Being easily frightened or startled
  • Always on the lookout for danger
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Self-destructive behavior
  • Overwhelming shame or guilt
  • Aggressive behavior and irritability

Intrusive memories

  • Upsetting nightmares or dreams
  • Unwanted, recurrent distressing events
  • Serious emotional distress
  • Reliving traumatic memories

Negative changes in mood and thinking

  • Emotionally numb
  • Negative thoughts
  • Memory issues
  • Hopelessness 
  • Lack of interest in activities
  • Trouble maintaining a close relationship
  • Feeling disconnected from friends and families

Avoidance

  • Avoiding talking or thinking about traumatic situations
  • Avoiding activities, places, and people

DIAGNOSIS

To diagnose posttraumatic stress syndrome, your specialist is likely to:

  • Conduct a physical examination
  • Perform a psychological assessment

TREATMENT

Posttraumatic stress syndrome treatment might assist you in regaining control of your life. The primary treatment is psychotherapy. However, drugs may also be used. Combining these therapies may help to alleviate your symptoms by:

  • assisting you in thinking more positively about the world, others, and yourself
  • Treating additional issues that are often associated with traumatic events, such as anxiety, depression or drugs or alcohol misuse
  • Teaching you how to manage your symptoms
  • Learning how to cope with recurring symptoms

Psychotherapy

Several methods of psychotherapy, often known as talk therapy, may be used to treat the condition in adults and children. Among the psychotherapies utilized in the treatment of the disease are:

  • Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
  • Exposure therapy
  • Cognitive therapy

Medications

Posttraumatic stress syndrome symptoms may be alleviated with a variety of drugs, including:

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