Understanding Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
June is PTSD Awareness Month, an important time to shed light on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), a mental health condition that affects millions worldwide. Understanding what PTSD is, who it affects, its symptoms, and the appropriate ways to support those living with it can help foster a more compassionate and informed society.
WHAT IS PTSD?
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disorder that may occur in people who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event, series of events, or set of circumstances. An individual may experience this as emotional, physical, or life-threatening harm and may affect mental, physical, social, and/or spiritual well-being (American Psychiatric Association). Examples that may trigger PTSD include natural disasters, serious accidents, terrorist acts, war/combat, rape/sexual assault, historical trauma, intimate partner violence, bullying, narcissistic abuse, etcetera.
PTSD can cause significant distress and interfere with an individual's daily functioning and quality of life.
WHO EXPERIENCES PTSD?
PTSD can develop in anyone who has experienced a traumatic event. This disorder does not just occur in those who’ve experienced war or combat. PTSD can develop in any person, no matter the ethnicity, nationality, culture, age, or gender. According to the American Psychiatric Association:
PTSD affects approximately 3.5% of U.S. adults every year.
The lifetime prevalence of PTSD in adolescents aged 13-18 is 8%.
An estimated 1 in 11 people will be diagnosed with PTSD in their lifetime.
Women are twice as likely as men to have PTSD.
U.S. Latinos, African Americans, and Native Americans/Alaska Natives are disproportionately affected and have higher rates of PTSD than non-Latino whites.
Certain factors may significantly increase the likelihood of developing PTSD, including one's occupation, history of trauma, mental health status, and support system. Occupations that expose individuals to high-stress environments, such as military personnel, first responders, and healthcare workers, present a higher risk due to the inherent nature of their work. Additionally, individuals with a personal history of trauma or a family history of PTSD are more susceptible to developing the disorder. Pre-existing mental health conditions, such as anxiety or depression, can also heighten the risk. Furthermore, the absence of a robust support system can exacerbate the development and severity of PTSD symptoms.
PTSD develops as a result of the brain's response to a traumatic event. During trauma, the body's fight-or-flight response is activated, flooding the body with stress hormones. In some individuals, the brain fails to return to its pre-trauma state, causing persistent symptoms. Factors such as genetic predisposition, the severity of the trauma, and individual psychological makeup play a role in the development of PTSD.
Symptoms can vary but are generally categorized into four types: intrusive memories, avoidance, negative changes in thinking and mood, and changes in physical and emotional reactions. Most may experience intense and disturbing thoughts and feelings that last long after the traumatic event. Many people share that they relive these events through flashbacks, nightmares, panic attacks, and interactions with people who may have been a part of the traumatic event. Symptoms in adults and children can differ.
ADULT SYMPTOMS
Intrusive Memories: Flashbacks, nightmares, and severe anxiety related to the traumatic event.
Avoidance: Avoiding places, people, and activities that remind them of the trauma.
Negative Changes in Thinking & Mood: Feelings of hopelessness, detachment, memory problems, and difficulty maintaining close relationships.
Changes in Physical & Emotional Reactions: Being easily startled, trouble sleeping, irritability, heightened emotional states, and angry outbursts.
CHILDREN SYMPTOMS
Young Children (Under 6): Re-enacting the traumatic event through play, nightmares, and severe separation anxiety.
Older Children and Teens: Symptoms similar to adults, but may also develop disruptive, disrespectful, impulsive, or destructive behaviors.
TREATMENTS FOR PTSD
For a diagnosis to be made, a person must have symptoms for longer than one month and have significant challenges in their everyday functioning. Be sure to check in with your doctor about your symptoms, because self-diagnosis without professional assistance can be harmful on the body and the mind.
Psychotherapy: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and exposure therapy are commonly used. CBT methods assist with focusing on painful and negative emotions and beliefs such as guilt, shame, or a fear of failure; whereas, EMDR methods help to redirect the processing of memories. Other methods include trauma group therapy, Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI), and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT).
Medications: Antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications can help manage symptoms. Some antidepressants such as SSRIs and SNRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors), are commonly used to treat core symptoms of PTSD. They are used either alone or in combination with psychotherapy or other treatments. Be sure to discuss symptoms with your doctor before taking any medication.
Support Groups: Connecting with others who have PTSD can provide emotional support and practical advice. Group settings can help people realize that others respond the same way to similar experiences and emotions. Family therapy may also help because the behavior and distress of the person with PTSD can affect the entire family; however, some family members may trigger PTSD depending on the type of traumatic event.
Self-Care: Regular physical activity, healthy eating, adequate sleep, and mindfulness practices can improve overall well-being. Treatments like meditation, yoga, animal-assisted therapy, and other alternative treatments can assist the healing process.
MYTHS SURROUNDING PTSD
Understanding how to interact with someone with PTSD is crucial in providing support and spreading empathetic awareness. Here are some key points:
Don’t assume they are weak: PTSD is a result of a traumatic event, not a sign of weakness. Respect their strength in coping with their experiences.
Avoid triggers: Be mindful of potential triggers. Loud noises, crowded places, or certain topics of conversation can provoke distressing reactions.
Don’t pressure them to talk: Allow them to share their experiences at their own pace. Pressuring them can cause further anxiety and distress.
Offer support without judgment: Listen with empathy and offer support without judgment or unsolicited advice. Validate their feelings and experiences.
Encourage professional help: Gently encourage them to seek professional help if they are not already doing so. Offer to help them find resources or accompany them to appointments if they feel comfortable.
By spreading awareness and understanding PTSD, we can create a supportive environment for those affected. Remember, compassion and knowledge are key in helping individuals with PTSD on their path to healing. Awareness is usually the first step in the healing process as well as building informed perspectives. PTSD Awareness Month in June serves as a reminder of the importance of understanding and supporting those affected by this challenging condition. By educating ourselves and others, we can contribute to a more empathetic and informed society, ultimately helping those with PTSD lead healthier, more fulfilling lives!