Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

It is often associated with people who have been involved in military combat. PSTD can, however, after any serious accident, assault, hostage, terrorist attack, natural disasters. It can be any danger, life threatening or seeing others being injured or killed. 

What?

PTSD can occur after any traumatic event with symptoms being immediately, within a week or month but usually within 6 months. 

Main groups of Symptoms

1. Flashbacks and nightmares

2. Avoidance and numbness

3. Being 'on guard'

Reliving the event over and over, during the day and at night. Ordinary events can trigger flashbacks. They can be exceptionally realistic that feels as if you are experiencing the event again. Reaction can also be physical.

This is the use of distraction or making yourself busy to avoid thinking or visiting the event. 

Emotionally numb can also occur to not have to deal with the feelings and in turn become apathetic in many areas.

A constant state of alertness. People can find it very difficult to relax and feel exhausted from being 'hypervigilant'. People who have PTSD can be jumpy and anxious. 

• keep life as normal as possible
• get back to a usual routine
• talk about what happened to someone you trust
• try relaxation exercises
• go back to work
• eat and exercise regularly
• go back to where the traumatic event happened
• spend time with family and friends
• be careful with daily activities, eg. driving
• speak to a doctor. 

Things that can help:

Treatment

• Different types of therapies such as;

• Psychotherapy

• Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)

• Group therapy.

• Medication - SSRI antidepressants to reduce strength of PTSD and relieve some symptoms of depression. 

http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/healthadvice/problemsdisorders/posttraumaticstressdisorder.aspx