Anxiety disorder that develops in response to a traumatic event is called Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It can also cause a lot of emotional and psychological changes in an individual. PTSD is a critical issue that requires people experiencing it and their families to gain as much information as possible about the condition as well as the possible treatment methods. In this article, the author gives a general description of PTSD and its symptoms as well as the ways to cope with it.

Understanding PTSD

PTSD is a mental illness that may occur in individuals who have witnessed or experienced a traumatic event including a natural disaster, an accident or physical assault. The condition is defined by the presence of enduring and extremely severe emotional reactions to stimuli related to the trauma. It can happen to anybody, at any age and does not differentiate between the rich and the poor and can be as a result of several factors including psychological, biological and environmental. For more, you can visit a Psychiatrist in Lahore.

Symptoms of PTSD

PTSD symptoms can vary widely but generally fall into four categories:PTSD symptoms can vary widely but generally fall into four categories:

Re-experiencing the Trauma: Clichéd symptoms of PTSD include the re-experiencing of the traumatic event through flashbacks, nightmares or intrusive thoughts. It may be uncomfortable and hinder normal functioning in the course of the day.

Avoidance and Numbness: Some of the symptoms of PTSD include; Avoidance of places or people that may remind the patient of the trauma. They may also suffer from emotional detachment whereby they cannot be able to bond with other people or even find joy.

Increased Arousal: Some of the symptoms which are observed include; being easily startled, having insomnia, being on the alert all the time and being irritable. This state of arousal can cause problems with focusing and can also cause stress.

Negative Changes in Mood and Thoughts: That is, PTSD can cause individuals to have negative thoughts about oneself and others, feel guilty or ashamed, and have a general detachment from other people. These mood swings can be quite destructive to interpersonal relationships and also to one’s self image.

Diagnosing PTSD

PTSD is still diagnosed by a psychiatrist or any other mental health professional through an examination. This entails an account of the traumatic experience and the subjective complaint of the patient. Symptoms of PTSD are classified and the degree of its severity is evaluated according to the DSM-5.

Treatment Approaches for PTSD

Therefore, managing PTSD may require the use of multiple therapeutic interventions. The principal aim is to enable people to work through traumatic experiences, cope with the manifestations of trauma, and enhance the quality of their life.

Psychotherapy: It is worth mentioning that CBT is one of the most successful therapies for PTSD. CBT assists in the process of changing the negative perception that the clients have regarding the trauma and their behavior. PE and EMDR are other types of risk management interventions that have been found to be helpful.

Medication: Some of the medication that is used in the treatment of PTSD include antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs. These medications can aid in the control of mood swings, decrease panic and enhance the patient’s level of functioning. Medication should be given and managed by a doctor or any other health care provider.

Support Groups: This means that engaging in support groups will help in giving the patient a feeling of belonging to a certain group. It is comforting to find people who have gone through similar ordeals and learn from them how they have dealt with it.

Self-Care and Lifestyle Changes: One has to practice self-care to ease the symptoms of PTSD in his or her day to day life. This includes activities such as taking a walk, eating right not just for the sake of hunger but for nutrition, sleeping and practicing relaxation methods including breathing exercises.

Trauma-Informed Care: Providers should provide trauma sensitive care, which means that they should understand, identify and act on the effects of trauma. This approach incorporates elements of safety, credibility and enhances the client’s perceived control in the therapeutic encounter.

Seeking Help

If one or one’s friend or family member has the symptoms of PTSD, it is recommended that he or she consult a Best Psychiatrist in Karachi or any other mental health care provider. It has been observed that early intervention can have a lot of benefits and help in sustaining the symptoms better.

Conclusion

It is crucial for the patients with PTSD and their families and friends to know more about the nature of the disorder and the ways of its treatment. Through identifying the symptoms, getting the right treatment and following certain preventive measures, it is possible for the affected person to recover from PTSD. They also get support from other mental health practitioners, family and friends, and support groups in order to recover.