Dr. Bhushan Ambadkar
Psychiatrist
Post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD is a severe disorder that was first noticed as early as the 19th century in soldiers and called by various names, including battle fatigue; this term was formally recognised in 1980. PTSD affects people who have suffered some sort of traumatic events such as a near-death experience, sexual abuse or serious injury. It is a serious mental condition that can be debilitating on many levels. Initial symptoms are called acute stress disorder; only if symptoms continue for more than a month is the condition considered to be PTSD. There are a standard set of psychological tests to diagnose PTSD, which includes disturbing flashbacks, avoiding the memories of the event or high anxiety levels. Women possibly suffer from PTSD more because they are likelier to be at the end of sexual abuse. Moreover, soldiers, rape victims and people who have grown up in abusive families have a tendency to suffer from PTSD. PTSD affects mental and physical health, relationships and even job performance. The most common symptom of PTSD is flashbacks of the event in question.
The various treatment options depend on the nature of events. Some common ones include individual therapy, group therapy, medication, hypnosis, and eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR), a type of psychotherapeutic process.
PTSD has not been classified into types; however, depending on the symptoms, it may be classified into simple and complex.
PTSD affects both mental and physical health, relationships and even job performance. This arises as a delayed and/or protracted response to stressful even the most common symptom of the condition is occurring against persisting background of emotional numbness and blunting. They are extremely debilitating and make the individual feel like they have travelled back in time and their tormentor (or the event that tormented them) is still there. What people require to understand is that when that happens, it is not like your feet are in the here-and-now but your head is somewhere else. Rather, it feels like your entire being is back in time, thus reliving the trauma and experience of the event. Moreover, a person can be triggered by even the smallest reminders. For example, let us say a woman was raped by her boyfriend; for her, walking past a perfume store and suddenly smelling the cologne he used to wear could act as a trigger for PTSD. Similarly, walking down the street and seeing a man who is wearing the same type of cap her boyfriend wore or going on a date with a man and him taking her hand might act as a trigger. Years can pass by; however, a person with PTSD can still experience flashbacks that make it feel like the event is happening all over again.
Everyone differently experiences PTSD; you may be able to recognise some, all or no symptoms mentioned below; they include:
Remembering aspects of previously happened scenarios:
Flashbacks that are intense
A traumatic event cannot be prevented; however, you can attempt to prevent the occurrence of PTSD by -
The initial symptoms are called acute stress disorder and only if they continue for more than a month is the condition considered PTSD. Not all people who go through a traumatic event develop PTSD; however, all those who had PTSD have been through a traumatic event. There are a standard set of psychological tests to diagnose the condition that includes disturbing flashbacks and avoiding the memories of the event or high anxiety levels.
The different treatment options depend on the nature of events. Some common ones include individual therapy, group therapy, medication, hypnosis, eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) , a type of psycho-therapeutic process). For some people, religion and spirituality works. For some, getting involved in community events/advocacy relating to their trauma can serve as an avenue of healing that enables them to transform their experience into one that has a positive impact on the world. Pharmacotherapy could be used when and where required.
There are multiple activists in their respective causes who have shared that they were motivated to get involved because they went through a trauma and wanted to channel their energy into something productive. Ashley Judd, an American actress and daughter of famous American country singer Winona Judd, is an activist and has shared that she is a three-time rape survivor.
You can strengthen your mental health by following a few tips like:
Do not feel helpless-
Recovering from PTSD is a slow long term process. You can help yourself by:
People who have experienced post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are up to twice as likely to develop dementia later in life, say researchers.
Studies have revealed that a significant number of COVID-19 survivors suffered from PTSD before being released from quarantine. Read to know more about the post-traumatic stress symptoms and tips to deal with it.
Women who suffer from PTSD may be at greater risk of ovarian cancer, says a new study. Read on to know more.
If you experience any severe trauma, it can trigger post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This is a mental health condition that can affect you physically too. Read on to know more.
Recent research shows that virtual reality technology can improve the quality of blood vessel surgery. While this technology isn't yet widely used in India, the rest of the world is resorting to it for healing many conditions. Read on to know about them.
Women with a history of sexual violence reported stronger memories with specific details that included seeing the event clearly in their mind. They reported having a harder time forgetting the incident.
Here, we dissect this less-talked-about mental disorder and help you learn about its prominent signs and symptoms
Many people suffer from nightmare disorder, also known as 'dream anxiety disorder', where sleep is hampered by frequent nightmares.
The researchers showed that immunisation with beneficial bacteria can have long-lasting anti-inflammatory effects on the brain.
Transcendental Meditation has a positive benefit for many of the conditions associated with PTSD, such as high anxiety, insomnia, depression and high blood pressure
The reduction was so great that 37 participants (80 percent) had their symptoms reduced to below the clinical level.
The stress hormones during pregnancy can affect the health and lifespan of the baby!
The study also found that in order to cope with the situation, these female victims also resort to drink and drugs.
Nearly one-fifth of patients with cancer experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Intestinal bacteria could hold clues to whether or not an individual will develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) .
PTSD is a serious psychiatric disorder that can develop after a person experiences a life-threatening trauma.
Find out how you can heal them through your unconditional support.
People who have experienced post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are up to twice as likely to develop dementia later in life, say researchers.
Studies have revealed that a significant number of COVID-19 survivors suffered from PTSD before being released from quarantine. Read to know more about the post-traumatic stress symptoms and tips to deal with it.
Women who suffer from PTSD may be at greater risk of ovarian cancer, says a new study. Read on to know more.
If you experience any severe trauma, it can trigger post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This is a mental health condition that can affect you physically too. Read on to know more.
Recent research shows that virtual reality technology can improve the quality of blood vessel surgery. While this technology isn't yet widely used in India, the rest of the world is resorting to it for healing many conditions. Read on to know about them.
Women with a history of sexual violence reported stronger memories with specific details that included seeing the event clearly in their mind. They reported having a harder time forgetting the incident.
Here, we dissect this less-talked-about mental disorder and help you learn about its prominent signs and symptoms
Many people suffer from nightmare disorder, also known as 'dream anxiety disorder', where sleep is hampered by frequent nightmares.
The researchers showed that immunisation with beneficial bacteria can have long-lasting anti-inflammatory effects on the brain.
Transcendental Meditation has a positive benefit for many of the conditions associated with PTSD, such as high anxiety, insomnia, depression and high blood pressure
The reduction was so great that 37 participants (80 percent) had their symptoms reduced to below the clinical level.
The stress hormones during pregnancy can affect the health and lifespan of the baby!
The study also found that in order to cope with the situation, these female victims also resort to drink and drugs.
Nearly one-fifth of patients with cancer experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Intestinal bacteria could hold clues to whether or not an individual will develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) .
PTSD is a serious psychiatric disorder that can develop after a person experiences a life-threatening trauma.
Find out how you can heal them through your unconditional support.
Did you know that excessive use of a smartphone can cause premature ageing?
