Welcome back to the second episode of Mental Illnesses. Today we're going to talk about a term which you will be well-acquainted with if you watch medical dramas or crime/thrillers.
Have you ever saved yourself from almost being hit by a speeding car? Or nearly slipped down while sitting on a terrace? I'm sure the next time you crossed the road or sat on the terrace railings, you either were extra careful or tried to avoid it entirely (at least for a while).
PTSD or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a condition in which the person after going through a traumatic experience, continues to be anxious regarding it, gets flashbacks, dreams about it so much so, that it starts affecting the regular life of the individual. Have you seen a doctor's hand in a medical drama shiver after they've experienced a table death? That's PTSD. As the doctor tries to operate on another patient, due to the operation room, scalpels which created a similar environment, he may get flashbacks of the previous patient's death.
A traumatic event may be negligence by parents and family, childhood abuse, sexual abuse in childhood or as an adult, physical violence, watching gruesome combat, death or accident.
After experiencing a traumatic event, a person may start showing symptoms anywhere from between a month to years. The symptoms are broadly classified into four types.
— SYMPTOMS —
1. Intrusion symptoms:
- nightmares
- flashbacks and a sensation that the event is happening again
- fearful thoughts
2. Avoidance symptoms:
- refusing to discuss the event
- avoiding situations that remind the person of the event
3. Negative changes in thinking and mood
- Hopelessness about the future
- Memory problems, including not remembering important aspects of the traumatic event
- Feeling detached from family and friends
- Lack of interest in activities you once enjoyed
- Difficulty experiencing positive emotions, feeling emotionally numb
4. Changes in physical and emotional reactions (also called arousal symptoms)
- Being easily startled or frightened
- Always being on guard for danger
- Self-destructive behaviour
- Trouble sleeping
- Trouble concentrating
People before having PTSD may experience ASD or Acute Stress Syndrome. ASD happens within a month after the traumatic event and includes problems like anxiety and avoidance. ASD further translates into PTSD. Unlike some disorders, PTSD gets worse with time if not tend to properly.
PTSD can further be classified into three types based on how the patient reacts to it.
1. Dissociative PTSD - This is when the person completely detaches himself from the event; (you could imagine, what a "soulless body" would be)
2. Uncomplicated PTSD - In this, the patients undergo all the regular symptoms of PTSD, however,r they do not experience other mental disorders such as depression or anxiety disorder. These people respond well to treatments.
3. Comorbid PTSD - This involves symptoms of PTSD, along with other mental health disorder like depression, panic disorder, or a substance abuse problem.
— TREATMENT —
Cognitive processing therapy (CPT): Also known as cognitive restructuring, the individual learns how to think about things in a new way.
Exposure therapy: Talking repeatedly about the event or confronting the cause of the fear in a safe and controlled environment may help the person feel they have more control over their thoughts and feelings. The effectiveness of this treatment has been questioned, however, and it must be carried out with care, or there may be a risk of worsening of the symptoms.
Medications include SSRIs, antidepressants.
— LIVING WITH A PTSD PATIENT —
PTSD patients due to their constant fear and worry are unable to maintain good relationships. Their stress, aggressiveness and irritability can cause strain on their closest people. However, rather than drifting far from them, understand how to comfort them. The more they feel they are in a safe environment, the better they will feel. Try distracting them from the stress by doing the things they love with them. And lastly, convince them to take therapy and monitor their medications. With your support and therapy, they are sure to recover healthily.
By Ketki K
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