PTSD
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, is mental illness. Some of us assume the narrative that soldiers are the only ones who get PTSD. But it has been proven that anyone can get PTSD, especially those who have gone through any trauma, such as losing someone close unexpectedly, being involves in an accident, being in an abusive relationship or being a victim of terrorist attacks. Most people have Acute stress disorder for at most a month after any traumatic event, therefore PTSD is diagnosed if the ASD doesn’t for away after a month.
Symptoms of PTSD
PTSD symptoms are divided into
• Intrusive memories
• Negative changes in behaviour
• Changes in physical and emotional reactions.
• Avoidance
Avoidance
Symptoms of avoidance may include:
• Trying to avoid thinking or talking about the traumatic event
• Avoiding places, activities or people that remind you of the event.
Intrusive memories
Symptoms of intrusive memories may include:
• Recurrent, unwanted distressing memories of the traumatic event
• Reliving the traumatic event as if it were happening again (flashbacks)
• Upsetting dreams or nightmares about the traumatic event
• Severe emotional distress or physical reactions to something that reminds you of the traumatic event.
Negative changes in thinking and mood
Symptoms of negative changes in thinking and mood may include:
• Negative thoughts about yourself, other people or the world
• Hopelessness about the future
• Memory problems, including not remembering important aspects of the traumatic event
• Difficulty maintaining close relationships
• Feeling detached from family and friends
• Lack of interest in activities you once enjoyed
• Difficulty experiencing positive emotions
• Feeling numb
Changes in physical and emotional reaction
• Being easily startled or frightened
• Always being on guard for danger
• Self-destructive behaviour, such as drinking too much or driving too fast
• Trouble sleeping
• Trouble concentrating
• Irritability, angry outbursts or aggressive behaviour
• Overwhelming guilt
PTSD symptoms can vary in intensity over time. You may have more PTSD symptoms when you’re stressed in general, or when you come across reminders of what you went through. For example, you may hear a car backfire and relive combat experiences. Or you may see a report on the news about a sexual assault and feel overcome by memories of your own assault.
In essence, if you present such symptoms get help.
