Battling PTSD: Continuous survival challenge

Trauma can affect everyone during their journey in life, and it is an inseparable part of the human experience. A person may spend a whole life trying to overcome the consequences of a trauma. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a disorder that can affect a person after living through trauma. 

The US Department of Veteran Affairs has observed June as the national PTSD awareness month. The purpose of this awareness month is to increase public understanding of PTSD-related issues, lessen its stigma, and promote the diagnosis and treatment of people who are dealing with the intangible scars. Even while PTSD treatments are effective, the majority of sufferers do not receive the support they require, according to Community Health of Central Washington (CHCW). 

PTSD definition 

PTSD is defined as an anxiety issue that occurs in certain people following incredibly traumatic events like combat, crime, an accident, or a natural disaster. The overwhelming symptoms, which include night sweats, panic attacks, flashbacks, and more, make the disorder diagnosable even though trauma is the underlying cause. Additionally, PTSD symptoms can be brought on by trauma that has been heard or observed but not personally experienced. But not all types of trauma lead to PTSD, Purdue University stated. 

PTSD causes

The National Center for PTSD said that the majority of us will likely encounter at least one trauma that could cause PTSD. Trauma can be caused by a variety of reasons, many of which are out of control, and PTSD can happen if a person is hurt by or directly exposed to the event. Different kinds of traumatic incidents are more likely to affect men and women differently. Sexual assault on women occurs more frequently. 

Men are more likely to be involved in accidents, be physically attacked, engage in battle, or witness a fatality or injury (such as “shell shock” during the years of World War I and “combat fatigue” after World War II). There are many factors to understand how trauma risk varies by race and ethnicity, religion, sexuality, disability status, and other social factors.

Every year, 3.5% of adult Americans suffer from PTSD. For adolescents aged 13 to 18, the lifetime prevalence of PTSD is 8%. Approximately one in eleven persons may receive a PTSD diagnosis over their lifetime. In comparison to non-Latino whites, PTSD rates are greater among three ethnic groups in the United States: US Latinos, African Americans, and Native Americans/Alaska Natives, according to the American Psychiatrist Association (APA). 

PTSD symptoms 

CHCW listed four different types of PTSD symptoms, however not everyone may experience them in the same way. Each person's symptom experience is unique. 

The first symptom is reliving the incident or re-experiencing the symptoms. A terrible event's memories could resurface at any time, and they may seem quite frightening and genuine. The patient might experience nightmares, flashbacks, or reliving the event due to something seen, heard, or smelt (trigger). 

Moreover, avoiding things that make us think of the incident is another type. The person tries to stay away from people or situations that make them think of the traumatic experience. They could stay away from crowds or might decide not to drive if they had a previous incident. 

There is also feeling and thinking more negatively than before the event. The experience may cause the person to think less favorably of themselves and other people. They might experience numbness, are unable to remember certain details of the traumatic experience, cannot trust anyone, and could feel guilty or ashamed about what happened. 

Feeling on edge out of the blue, also known as hyperarousal, is the fourth type of symptom. This type may include having trouble falling asleep, finding it challenging to focus, or being scared by a sudden shock or loud noise.

PTSD treatment 

APA stated that many PTSD sufferers require medical attention to overcome their psychological discomfort, which can be severe and incapacitating. PTSD is treatable, and psychiatrists and other mental health specialists employ a variety of efficient and research-proven techniques to treat PTSD patients. 

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is very effective in treating PTSD. PTSD symptoms can also be managed with the aid of medication. Additionally, the symptom relief that medicine offers enables many patients to engage in psychotherapy more productively.

Many PTSD sufferers find it extremely beneficial to talk about their experiences and feelings with other people who understand them, such as in a peer support group, in addition to receiving treatment.