Understanding PTSD and getting the help needed

Terrifying events leave a mark. Whether it’s combat, a natural disaster, a bad car accident, an abusive relationship or something else, people often feel the effects, known as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), long after the danger has passed.

This June is recognized as PTSD Month, with June 27 as National PTSD Awareness Day. It’s an opportunity to shed light on the challenges faced by individuals living with PTSD and to promote empathy, support and education about the condition, as well as to reduce the stigma associated with mental health issues.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) often appears within three months after the trauma, but it can occur later.

People with PTSD may have vivid memories of the event, without warning. These memories are so strong, that they take over the person’s attention. This is usually called a flashback. Severe flashbacks may cause the person to enter a dreamlike state, where the person acts as though the event is happening again.

The person may avoid situations that remind him or her of the trauma. He or she, may pull away from friends and family, and may feel numb, and incapable of feeling or expressing emotion.

People with PTSD may have ongoing distorted beliefs about themselves or others. Feelings of fear, anger, guilt and shame are possible. And people may lose interest in taking part in activities or being around others.

PTSD can also cause the person to feel constantly threatened. He or she may become irritable, or have trouble concentrating or sleeping. Panic attacks and reckless or self-destructive behavior are also possible. PTSD can cause other problems, such as alcohol or drug abuse, poor self-control and an increased risk of suicide.

Not everyone who experiences something traumatic has PTSD. Some people recover from trauma with the help of family and friends.

Behavior therapy is usually effective in treating this disorder. A therapist can use a variety of treatments, including relaxation therapy and desensitization, where the person is exposed to something that reminds him or her of the event, and then learns to cope with it.

PTSD can be aggravated by the person’s view of the world, compared to the reality that they witnessed during the event. Helping the person look at their values and how those values may have been violated during the trauma, may help to resolve internal conflicts. Peer-counseling groups are also effective, as the person may have a chance to hear how others reacted and felt in the same situation.

Sometimes, medications, such as antidepressants, help the person to participate in these treatments more fully. Most of the time, these treatments take place outside of the hospital. But, if the person becomes dangerous, treatment in a hospital may be recommended.

If someone is struggling to cope or the symptoms of PTSD begin to interfere with everyday life, it may be time to talk to a healthcare professional.