Author: Dr. Neha Mehta, RCI registered clinical psychologist, My Fit Brain, Hisar
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that happens when one experiences unexpected catastrophic situations in life, such as a war, natural disasters, sexual assault, death of a loved one or loss of property.
PTSD is largely characterised by:
1. Failure to accept the loss
2. Failure to forget what happened
3. Witnessing the accident
4. Avoiding or separation from someone close to them
5. Abuse by a loved one
The mental health condition may last for years or even a lifetime. Instead of feeling better with time, people with PTSD may experience harsher adjustment issues, anxiety and poor self-esteem associated with medical ailments.
Symptoms can be physical as well as emotional
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Physical symptoms include: Constant headaches, palpitations, panic, poor digestion, sleep issues and poor immunity.
Emotional symptoms include: Nighmaters, hallucinations, social withdrawal, fear while interacting with people or groups.
People with PTSD are also fearful of discussing tragic events, avoid expressing themselves, face sleep disturbance, have negative thoughts, experience extreme rage or happiness, have anger outbursts, feel guilt, self-blame and anxiety.
PTSD can also result in bipolar and delusional personalities. These people find it difficult to do jobs professionally due to certain mood swings and wellness issues.
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Children with PTSD
Children who go through traumatic events get mentally fixated on childhood and indulge in thumbsucking, bedwetting, stuttering and are clingy towards parents or toys—even after reaching adolescence.
These kids are at further risk of struggling with alcohol, drug and sexual addictions etc. Some even witness eating disorders. They are vulnerable in relationships and tend to get hurt easily.
What’s the treatment?
The intensity of symptoms can increase with triggers of the past, so getting treatment as early as possible helps. A mental health professional or a medical doctor can help you so that it doesn’t lead to suicidal ideations.
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The best treatment is psychotherapies as they help clients to vent out their feelings and share a positive outlook to life.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps to process the event and replace the negative thinking pattern with less intrusive ones.
In extreme cases, exposure therapy is advised where the client is exposed to the event again, helping them to express the mental muddle they experience.
How does one prevent PTSD?
1. By instantly seeking professional help.
2. By seeking support from family members.
3. By learning and preparing yourself physically and mentally for dangers in life.
4. Through self help.
A. With meditation to align your thoughts.
B. Mindfulness can help stay away from past and future insecurities.
C. Trusting your doctortherapists.
D. Taking a balanced diet as one may experience lots of physical weakness.
Most importantly, understand there’s always a next day to start afresh.
Lead image credit: Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment
