Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that is typically triggered by traumatic, distressing life events. It is estimated that 1 in 3 individuals who experience a traumatic event will be affected by PTSD.
In this article, we look at the most common causes of post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as the typical symptoms, and the treatment options available to help manage and treat the condition.
It is completely natural to experience a range of emotions including anger, sadness, and confusion after a traumatic event. These feelings should generally improve or subside within a few weeks. However, if you are still experiencing difficult emotions that you are struggling to manage around 4 weeks after a traumatic event, you could have post-traumatic stress disorder.
The most common traumatic event that we associate with leading to post-traumatic stress disorder is war and conflict.
Typically, PTSD is portrayed within the media to affect ex-soldiers – individuals who have served on the front line and have witnessed very distressing events.
However, as previously mentioned, PTSD is usually triggered by a traumatic life event, so any event that an individual finds traumatic could lead to PTSD.
Other traumatic events could be experiencing or witnessing a natural disaster (such as a hurricane or flooding), witnessing or being a victim of a crime or an assault, witnessing or being involved in a road accident, yourself or a loved one experiencing serious health problems, traumatic childbirth experiences, abuse, and bereavement.
Not everyone who experiences a traumatic event will develop PTSD. You may be at higher risk of experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder if you have experienced anxiety or depression in the past.
In addition, the level of support you receive after a traumatic event may also affect your risk of developing the condition. If you have a strong network of people surrounding you who provide care and support after trauma, you are less likely to develop PTSD than individuals who do not have a lot of support.
PTSD will usually occur immediately after a traumatic event, however it is also possible to develop symptoms of PTSD weeks, months or even years later following a distressing event, although this is not as common. It is therefore important to be aware of the symptoms so that you are able to recognise them.
The three most common symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder are:
This can also include not talking about the trauma, trying to forget about it completely, and using distractions (whether positive in the form of work or hobbies, or negative in the form of using alcohol, smoking, or drugs as a coping mechanism) to stop yourself thinking about it.
All of these behaviours can mean that you do not properly process the traumatic event and come to terms with what happened, which can lead to further problems in the future. Although it can be very difficult, it is important not to suppress your emotions and work through your feelings in a safe environment, asking for help from a professional if needed.
Reoccurring or prolonged traumatic events can lead to a form of PTSD known as complex post-traumatic stress disorder, sometimes abbreviated to C-PTSD.
Events or experiences such as prolonged abuse or neglect (for example during childhood), domestic violence, and war and torture can lead to complex post-traumatic stress disorder.
Symptoms of C-PTSD are similar to those of PTSD; however, they may also include feeling worthless, ashamed, distrusting, or hopeless, trouble managing and controlling your emotions, difficulty connecting with others, and relationship issues.
Read more on complex post-traumatic stress disorder.
The most common treatments for PTSD are psychological therapies and medication. Psychological therapy is usually recommended first, and the most common types are cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), and eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR).
Medications are usually only prescribed if psychological therapy is unsuitable or is not having an effect on symptoms. The most common medications prescribed to treat PTSD are sertraline and paroxetine, which are both selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
For milder symptoms, or symptoms that have not been ongoing for over 4 weeks, a practice known as active monitoring can be recommended. This involves actively monitoring your symptoms, typically for around 4 weeks, unless your symptoms significantly worsen or improve during this time. If your symptoms improve, you may not require further treatment, however if your symptoms worsen, or do not show signs of improvement, you may then be recommended psychological therapy, medication, or a combination of both.
If you think you may be experiencing PTSD, it is important to speak with your GP. As well as being able to provide treatment and support, your GP will also be able to advise on appropriate support groups in your area that specialise in supporting individuals who have experienced trauma, as there are plenty of dedicated organisations for a range of experiences.
At Northern Healthcare, our teams support residents living with post-traumatic stress disorder.
Find out more about our support model.
Photo by Julia Taubitz on Unsplash.
