What is PTSD?
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD is a mental condition wherein a strong and violent past experience repeats in a person’s mind and causes serious mental and physical disruption. This article intends to discuss the most recent studies, surveys, and information on PTSD, its causes, symptoms, and treatments.
To feel fear, anxiety, or stress is natural. Our life is imperfect so every human being has had some traumatic events that occurred in life. Ideally, most people cope with those events and move on.
However, for some, the event creates a deep scar in the mind (or medically speaking, a neural network in the brain) and if triggered, they relive the event as if it is happening now. The body also responds to the event by increasing the level of Norepinephrine (Adrenaline).
The patient, then, may behave violently, freeze in fear, or have panic attacks. After the event, he/she may not remember what they did or how they acted. Therefore, diagnosing and treating PTSD is essential- not only for the well-being of the patient but also for the people around them.
What Causes PTSD?
Mental Health Professionals agree that two basic feelings are assassinated with PTSD- Fear and an extreme sense of loss. We cannot list them all, but some common causes of PTSD are:
- Accidents– such as car crashes, airplane crashes, railway accidents, or ship sinking events.
- Combat Situations– Violent explosions or serious ambush where a soldier has lost many fellow combatants.
- Fire– House, apartment, or industrial fires.
- Natural Disasters– Hurricanes, tsunamis, earthquakes, or volcanic eruptions.
- Criminal Violence– Robbery, kidnapping, or hostage situations.
- Social Violence– Bullies or gang-related incidents.
- Personal Violence– Abusive parents, spouses, or relatives.
Although combat veterans report PTSD the most, anyone could be suffering from it. According to a recent study done by the American Psychiatric Association, 1 out of 11 Americans suffer from PTSD and women are more prone to it than men.
What are the Symptoms of PTSD?
There are 4 major symptoms of PTSD. Remember that all people experience some violent events in life, and it is quite okay to feel fear and behave abnormally for a few days following the incident. Those are not symptoms of PTSD.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, to qualify for PTSD, which requires professional treatments, a person must display signs of fear at least 3 months after the incident and the symptoms must last for more than a month.
Following are the 4 major PTSD symptoms:
1. Reliving or Re-experiencing
Reliving the past violent event mentally would be the first sign of PTSD. Flashbacks and recurring dreams are common to patients. This may lead to the same physical and mental response as it was during the event.
The patient may suffer severe anxiety and distress and have panic attacks.
2. Avoidance of Certain Situations or Things
The patient tends to avoid certain things or situations associated with or closely similar to the past violent event.
For example, a soldier who got ambushed in a marketplace may avoid any market, fair, or large gathering of people even when he/she is in a safe area. An air crash survivor may never go near a plane.
3. Alteration of Mood and Cognition
Alteration of mood and cognition represents an advanced stage of PTSD. In this situation, the patient recalls the past event but does not remember some key features. And because of that, they develop some mood changes.
The patient may display signs of guilt (as he thinks he was responsible for the accident) or blame (as he thinks someone else was responsible). Erratic behavior, shame, social isolation, and a sense of not caring about the world may develop at this stage.
Suicidal thoughts are also very common so family members, friends, and relatives must be extra cautious.
4. Arousal and Reactivity
Also, an advanced stage symptom, arousal, and reactivity generally refer to a condition where the patient is startled easily. A certain site and sound can easily induce a fear response in the patient and they may react violently.
The patient may also get tense and won’t be able to sleep that night due to the excess flow of adrenaline. Feeling irritable and having angry outbursts are also common.
Arousal and reactivity can seriously hamper the daily life of the patient. Immediate help is required if the patient starts to display this symptom.
PTSD in Teens and Children
PTSD brings out extreme reactions in children and teens.
Among children (6 years and younger), this may manifest as a clingy attachment to one parent or an adult. It also shows up as violent treatment towards other children. Additionally, losing the ability to talk and wetting the bed may occur.
Among older children and teens, PTSD symptoms include unsocial and destructive behaviors such as being disrespectful, and not listening to parents or teachers. If your teen is destroying properties, breaking-and-entering, or carrying a weapon to protect him/herself, this could be a sign of PTSD.
What are the Dangers of PTSD if Untreated?
Advanced PTSD patients may pose a threat to society and other people around them. Not everyone who has had a traumatic experience develops PTSD so it is the job of the family member to monitor if someone is developing it.
The worst thing the family and friends can do is try to ignore or avoid it. It is a disease and just like any other disease and should be paid attention to. Otherwise, the patient may hurt others.
PTSD patients can cause destruction of property, physical violence to others, and be extremely rude to others and they may not even know it. After an episode, they may completely forget what they had done. They had no control over it.
If untreated, severe PTSD can lead to addiction, suicidal thoughts, and death.
How Can we Reduce the Risk of PTSD?
The most important thing that helps reduce the risk of PTSD is support. The patient, if aware, should seek out help immediately from family and friends. The family should also monitor a member after a traumatic event.
Having a professional evaluation also is a good idea. Within 2-3 weeks after the traumatic experience, a preliminary assessment with a mental health professional can be done. A second evaluation may take place after 3 months or upon the advice of the said professional.
This keeps PTSD in check and ensures it does not develop further.
How can we Treat PTSD?
There are straightforward 4 approaches to treating PTSD.
- Home Care
- Psychotherapy
- Support Groups
- Medications
In all cases, it is ideal to work with a mental health care professional. The professional can advise what to do at home, what kind of support groups to join, and what medications to take.
What are the Medications for PTSD?
Here are a few possible medications to be used to treat PTSD:
- Benzodiazepines like Diazepam (Valium) and Alprazolam (Xanax).
- Antidepressants like Prozac, Paxil, and Zoloft.
- Tricyclic Antidepressants like Elavil and Doxepine.
- Mood Stabilizers such as Lamictal.
- Atypical Antipsychotics such as Abilify, and Seroquel.
Your mental health professional will decide what to take and what dosages to follow. Almost all SSRi may be addictive so it is critical to follow a doctor’s advice.
Can I Take Valium for PTSD?
Certainly. Valium or Diazepam is one of the medications that will be prescribed for PTSD. Your mental health professional will do that.
Some people want to self-medicate. In that case, the patient needs to find a safe and reliable online pharmacy from where they can buy Valium online without a prescription. It is not recommended, but it helps from time to time.
There is also a Diazepam Nasal Spray that can be easily carried and if the patient starts to feel anxious, he/she can spray it in the nose and then take deep breaths. It is an instant release and calms the nerves down almost immediately.
The Takeaway
In short, PTSD is a disease like any other. If you realize that you have it, the best thing to do is to come out and ask for help. If untreated, it can lead to more severe damage. Family members and friends have a crucial part to play as well.
References:
- Post-traumatic Stress Disorder– National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).
- A Review on Post-traumatic Stress Disorder- Recent Case Studies by Amandeep Thakur.
- Complex Post-traumatic Stress Disorder by Andreas Maercker.
- PTSD- Current Treatment Strategies by Christian Schrader.
- Mental Health Medications – National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).