Post-traumatic stress disorder, more commonly known as PTSD, is one of the most common psychological disorders in the world. Around 3.5% of Americans suffer from PTSD every year, which just goes to show how serious this disorder is.
The problem is that not many people know too much about it, which is why they can be dismissive of those who try to share what they are suffering from. If you want to know more about PTSD, continue reading. Mentioned below is everything you need to know about PTSD:
Causes of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
PTSD is a mental health disorder that is triggered by a terrifying and traumatic event. The patient may have experienced the event first hand, witnessed it, or had it happen to someone close to them. The traumatic event can be a life-threatening situation, serious injury, or sexual violation.
Doctors still don’t know why some people develop PTSD after experiencing such events while others don’t. All they know is that it has to be a multivariate problem including inherited mental health risks, the severity of the trauma, differences in brain function, and inherited personality features.
Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Generally, PTSD patients start experiencing symptoms within a month after the traumatic experience, however, in some cases, the symptoms might not show for years. There are four groups of PTSD symptoms: intrusive memories, avoidance, negative changes in thinking and mood, and changes in physical and emotional reactions.
These symptoms may vary from patient to patient and they also change with time. Some of the most common symptoms include recurring memories of the traumatic event, trying to avoid talking or thinking about the events, negative thoughts about yourself and the world around you, emotional numbness, being easily startled, and self-destructive behavior.
Treatment Methods
PTSD can be treated with different types of therapy, for example, cognitive behavioral therapy, prolonged exposure therapy, and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy. Medication may also be used in combination with therapy sometimes to make the process faster and more effective.
Some therapists also prescribe controlled use of weed which can be quite helpful. If weed isn’t a strong enough option for you, you can buy shrooms online in Canada. Shrooms have a much stronger effect on the brain and can be very helpful in dealing with symptoms of PTSD.
Preventive Measures
Most people experience some PTSD-like symptoms right after experiencing a traumatic event like anger, depression, fear, recurring flashbacks of the event, and anxiety. However, these symptoms don’t develop into long-term PTSD.
PTSD can be prevented by taking the right measures right after the patient experiences the traumatic event. These include talking to friends and family and speaking to a mental health professional.
Risk Factors
Although people of all ages can develop PTSD, here are a few factors that can increase a person’s chances to develop this disorder after experiencing trauma. Experiencing childhood trauma, having a high-risk job like military personal and first responder, having a substance abuse problem, and having a family history of mental health problems.
In Conclusion:
PTSD is no joke. It is one of the most serious psychological problems that exist. Plus, anyone can suffer from PTSD, which is why it is important that we have more awareness and understanding about this disorder. If you see someone around you displaying symptoms of PTSD, you should reach out to them and encourage them to get some help.
