What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?

Published March 21st, 2024

5 min read

 

Signs, symptoms, and treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder.

 

Written by Janna Estrada

 

Accidents, injuries, war, and other intense experiences have a long-lasting impact on the body and brain. In some cases, these events trigger the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD causes you to experience nightmares, anxiety, freezing, and flashbacks. Mental health professionals can use a combination of therapy and medications to help you get these symptoms in check.

What causes PTSD?

Up to four in five individuals experience some form of trauma throughout their lifetime. About five to 10 percent will develop some form of PTSD afterward, with women being at a higher risk of developing the disorder.

Many different kinds of traumatic events can lead to PTSD:

  • Serious accidents. Being involved in accidents like car crashes can trigger PTSD.

  • Loss. The grief resulting from losing a loved one, whether a family member, friend, or even a beloved pet, can also be a triggering traumatic experience.

  • Sexual assault and domestic violence. Survivors are at a high risk of developing PTSD.

  • Serious health problems. Coping with a severe health issue, either personally or witnessing it in someone else, and navigating an often confusing and stressful healthcare system can cause PTSD.

  • War. Being involved in a war or living in a warzone can lead to flashbacks, anxiety, and unwanted memories that persist.

  • Terrifying experiences. Any situation that induces terror, like a natural disaster or being the victim of a crime, can also trigger PTSD.

What are the symptoms of PTSD?

The symptoms of PTSD can become disabling in day-to-day life. PTSD can lead to:

  • Flashbacks and nightmares. Remembering and re-experiencing traumatic events and memories. The memories are often very intense and may feel similar to an anxiety or panic attack.

  • Avoidance. Individuals with PTSD may find themselves avoiding places, people, or things that remind them of the traumatic experience. It's a coping mechanism to avoid distressing memories.

  • Negative changes in thinking and mood. PTSD can disrupt a person's thought processes and emotions, leading to feelings of hopelessness, guilt, or a noticeable shift in demeanour.

  • Feeling constantly on edge. PTSD can cause the body and mind to enter “fight or flight” mode. This can lead to sudden mood swings, difficulty sleeping, or heightened startle responses.

PTSD can also lead many people to develop dissociative experiences where it feels like they aren’t in control of their body and feel like they’re watching a character in a movie or video game from afar.

PTSD vs complex PTSD

If PTSD is a one-time traumatic event, complex PTSD (C-PTSD) is caused by prolonged or chronic trauma such as ongoing abuse or living in a war zone for several years.

In addition to experiencing the usual symptoms of PTSD, people with C-PTSD also have difficulty forming relationships, feel disconnected from others, and experience a distorted self-identity.

How is PTSD treated?

A mental healthcare professional can work with you to help you find the best way to manage and reduce the symptoms of PTSD. In many cases, this involves a combination approach of different therapies and medications.

Here are some of the main options available as treatments:

  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). CBT helps you recognize and change some of the negative thought patterns and behaviours caused by PTSD. This strategy can teach you skills to cope with some of the negative thinking as well as ways to manage some of the anxiety attacks that are brought on by flashbacks.

  • Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT). Rather than teaching you to change your thought patterns, DBT focuses solely on changing your behavioural responses, which can help you regain balance.

  • Cognitive Processing Therapy. This therapy aids individuals in processing and making sense of traumatic events, acting as a mental decluttering session to organize overwhelming thoughts.

Resources for PTSD

If you are looking to learn more about PTSD, here are a few helpful resources:

Resolvve can also provide support if you’re interested in getting help with your symptoms. You can set up a free consultation with our therapists to see how they can help. We also offer a collaborative mental health session involving a therapist and psychiatrist. If you're interested in that service, you can get in touch with us here. 

Please note that this post is written for educational purposes; it is not therapy. If you need to talk to a professional, please book a consultation with a psychotherapist through Resolvve.

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