What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?

To understand Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) even better, let’s look at it from the perspective of our fictional character, Anita, who will represent our real-world brave soldiers.

Anita had always been the life of the party. But after returning from her deployment overseas, things changed. The smallest noise would make her jump, and she often found herself lost in distressing memories. Her nights were sleepless, haunted by nightmares. It took a while for her to realize that what she was experiencing was post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Although Anita knew that everyone faces stress and trauma differently, this was unlike anything she had encountered before.

PTSD is a psychological disorder that occurs after a person experiences or witnesses a traumatic incident. Anita experienced intense anxiety, recurrent flashbacks, and intrusive thoughts about the incident. After months of struggling, she decided it was time to seek help and learn ways to manage her PTSD.

Managing PTSD can be difficult, yet there are effective strategies available to help reduce symptoms and promote recovery. Here are six ideas worth considering:

1. Understand the Triggers

Often, PTSD symptoms are triggered by certain cues in the environment, such as loud noises or specific locations. That is why the first step to managing it is to identify the triggers. Keep a “trigger journal” to write down when and where symptoms occur and what might have triggered them. It becomes easier to avoid these triggers once you understand what they are and how they happen. You can also prepare your coping strategies for when you encounter them.

2. Seek Professional Help

PTSD is a challenging issue that usually needs help from a professional. Therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) have been proven to work well and mental health professionals use them to help with PTSD treatment. A mental health professional can also help you deal with your trauma by learning coping skills and offering a safe place to share your feelings.

3. Build a Support Network

A network of supportive people can make dealing with PTSD a lot easier. Surround yourself with friends and family who genuinely understand you. Join support groups that can provide you with the emotional support and understanding you need. Find people you trust and share your experiences with them; let them know how they can help. Having someone who can listen to you can make a significant difference.

4. Practice Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques

Practices like meditation, deep breathing, and yoga can help reduce anxiety and stress. Learn these techniques to better manage PTSD. Mindfulness and relaxation can help ground you in the present moment and reduce the intensity of flashbacks and panic attacks. Through constant practice, these will become second nature to you, which will greatly improve your mental well-being.

5. Establish a Routine

By establishing a daily routine, you can have a sense of normalcy and control. Regular sleep, exercise, and meal schedules, for example, can help stabilize your mood and energy levels. It is also good to participate in activities that you enjoy and find relaxing, such as reading, gardening, or listening to music.

6. Avoid Self-Medication

It can be tempting to turn to alcohol or drugs to numb the pain, but these substances can worsen PTSD symptoms and lead to dependency. Instead, focus on healthy coping mechanisms and seek professional help if you find yourself struggling with substance use.

By avoiding self-medication, you maintain good health and prevent potential harm to yourself. Here are further steps you can take to succeed:

• Educate Yourself – Understand the potential risks and side effects of medications. Stay informed about the importance of proper diagnosis and treatment plans.

• Understand the Condition – Gain a basic understanding of your health condition from mental health professionals.

• Avoid Pressure from Others – Resist pressure from friends or family to take medications they recommend.

Types of PTSD for Awareness

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can manifest in various forms and the different types can be generally categorized based on the nature and duration of symptoms:

• Acute PTSD – Symptoms last for less than three months.

• Chronic PTSD – Symptoms persist for more than three months.

• Delayed-Onset PTSD (also known as Delayed Expression PTSD) – Symptoms appear at least six months after the traumatic event.

• Complex PTSD – Associated with repeated or prolonged exposure to traumatic events, often of an interpersonal nature (e.g., chronic child abuse, domestic violence, captivity, torture).

• Comorbid PTSD – Associated with the presence of other mental health disorders, such as depression, anxiety disorders, substance use disorders, or other conditions.

• Secondary PTSD (also known as Secondary Traumatic Stress) – Associated with individuals who are indirectly exposed to trauma through close contact with trauma survivors (e.g., healthcare workers, therapists, first responders, family members of trauma victims).

• Uncomplicated PTSD – Associated with experiencing symptoms of PTSD without additional mental health conditions.

Knowing these different types of PTSD will help you find the right approach to treatment and support.