PTSD Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Diagnosis of PTSD

Diagnosis of PTSD can be made only after the symptoms last for a minimum of one month, disrupting normal daily activities. Individuals who have survived a traumatic event in the past with anxiety syndrome running for a month are termed "acute stress disorder." PTSD symptoms lasting for less than three months specify an acute condition.

PTSD is tough to diagnose due to several reasons. Patients may not identify any association between their symptoms and a traumatic event they experienced. In some cases, patients do not wish to disclose the event.

Doctors may take a screening questionnaire for the condition for the diagnosis for final assessments.

Treatment for PTSD

All individuals experiencing trauma do not develop PTSD. Additionally, not everyone with PTSD needs psychiatric treatment. Symptoms of PTSD may subside or disappear over time for some individuals, while others get better with a robust support system (family, friends, or priesthood). However, many individuals with PTSD require proper medical treatment to recover from extreme and disabling psychological suffering. It is important to remember that trauma may lead to severe distress. PTSD is treatable, and the chances of recovery improve with early diagnosis and treatment.

Psychiatrists and other mental health professionals use various effective (research-proven) methods to help people recover from PTSD. Both talk therapy (psychotherapy) and medication provide effective evidence-based treatments for PTSD.

Therapies

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: It is a part of psychotherapy and is very effective in treating PTSD. The most commonly used Cognitive Processing Therapy includes prolonged exposure therapy and stress inoculation therapy.

Cognitive Processing Therapy: It emphasizes altering painful negative emotions and opinions resulting from trauma. Therapists can help patients face and overcome painful memories and emotions.

Prolonged Exposure Therapy: The therapy uses recurrent, thorough visualization of the trauma or progressive exposures to PTSD symptom "triggers." It helps patients face and gain control over fear and distress and cope with symptoms.

Stress Inoculation Therapy: The treatment focuses on helping patients gather essential coping skills to guard against stressful triggers. This is done by exposing patients to milder levels of stress.

Group Therapy: The treatment helps survivors of similar traumatic events to share their experiences. Group members help each other by understanding and assessing how others have responded the same way and felt the same emotions.

Other Psychotherapies: Doctors may suggest other therapies to the patient, such as supportive, interpersonal, and psychodynamic therapies. These treatment options focus on crucial aspects of PTSD, such as the emotional and interpersonal.

Medication: Medications are prescribed to control the symptoms of PTSD. The effects of medication allow patients to participate more efficiently in psychotherapy. Doctors prescribe antidepressants such as SSRIs and SNRIs to treat the symptoms of PTSD. Prescription medications may be used alone or in combination with therapies and other treatments. This help reduce anxiety and other symptoms such as physical agitation, recurrent nightmares, and sleeplessness.

Other Treatments Methods: Patients may be prescribed other treatments, including alternative and complementary therapies, to help manage PTSD symptoms. Some of these treatments include acupuncture and animal-assisted therapy. Joining a support group will help one share their experiences and feelings with others going through similar experiences.

Recovery

Professional care is the most important way to ensure a safe and successful recovery. Everything else is secondary and should be used as supportive treatment methods. These include:

• Social support includes being with people who care about you, being there if you need them, talking to trusted ones about the trauma, and having helpful supporters.
• Trying to return to life by returning to a normal routine of going to work or school, doing daily chores, and maintaining a regular and healthy sleep schedule.
• Staying connected to friends.
• Finding supportive and genuine ways to review the trauma, understanding triggers, and staying positive.

Living with the Condition

An individual with PTSD faces certain challenges. They may relive the traumatic event through unpleasant and repetitive memories, flashbacks, or intense nightmares. PTSD can make one experience intense emotional or physical reactions (anxiety, sweating, panic, heart palpitations), especially when reminded of the event. Additionally, PTSD can seriously affect cognitive function (memory and moods). Strong emotions of fear, guilt, and shame are common among individuals with PTSD.

Living a healthy and happy life with PTSD is possible. This goal is achievable by seeking out a treatment plan under the guidance of an experienced medical expert. Working on a medical plan developed for a patient's unique symptoms can help him, or her get on track and successfully manage PTSD.

• Symptoms and Causes