The effects of PTSD

In this blog post, we will be looking at PTSD and the effects thereof. In short, PTSD stands for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. But what does all of that mean and how does PTSD affect an individual?

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a mental condition that is triggered by experiencing a traumatic event. It is more commonly known to influence soldiers, however, that is not the only case. Soldiers are not the only ones who suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder after the war. Any person that has experienced or witnessed a traumatic event could have difficulty adjusting and coping with those traumatic events. But with time and good self-care, patients usually get better.

If these symptoms get worse, last for a couple of months or even years, they interfere with your day-to-day functioning. Patients with PTSD have intense, disturbing thoughts and feelings related to their experience that lasts for a long period of time even when the traumatic event has ended. Usually, they relive traumatic experiences through flashbacks or nightmares and may experience emotions such as sadness, fear or anger in addition to feeling detached from other people.

People with PTSD may avoid situations or people that remind them of the traumatic event, and they may have strong negative reactions to something as ordinary as sudden loud noise or an accidental touch. A diagnosis of PTSD requires exposure to an upsetting traumatic event. However, exposure could be indirect rather than first hand. For example, PTSD could occur in individuals learning about the violent death of a close family. It can also occur as a result of repeated exposure to horrible details of trauma such as soldiers exposed to numerous violent deaths on the battlefield.

Statistics at a glance

• 70% of adult’s experience at least one traumatic event during their lifetime
• 20% of people experiencing a traumatic event during their lifetime will develop PTSD
• About 8 million people have PTSD in a given year
• 1 in 13 people will develop PTSD during their lifetime

Symptoms and Diagnosis

The symptoms of PTSD can be broken down into 4 main categories – Specific symptoms can vary in severity.

This includes repeated or unwanted memories, distressing dreams or flashbacks of the traumatic events. Flashbacks may be so vivid that patients feel like they are re-living those events. .

Avoiding reminders of traumatic events may include avoiding people, places, activities and situations that bring on distressing memories. Patients may avoid thinking or remembering the traumatic event, as well as talking about what happened or how they feel about it. .

These may include distorted beliefs about oneself or others. Patients also show less interest in activities they previously enjoyed or feeling detached or estranged from others. .

Changes in physical and emotional reactions

Symptoms of changes in physical and emotional reactions (also called arousal symptoms) may include: .

• 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 or shame

Many people experience these symptoms described above, after being exposed to traumatic events. People are diagnosed if the symptoms last more than a couple of months or even years. Many of these symptoms occur after three months of the trauma, but other symptoms may appear later. For patients dealing with PTSD, the symptoms cause significant distress or cause functioning problems. PTSD often occurs with other related conditions, such as depression, substance use, memory problems and other physical and mental health problems. .

What are the treatments for PTSD?

When you are suffering from PTSD, you might feel like you’ll never get your life back. But PTSD can be treated. Short- and long-term psychotherapy and medications can work very well. Often, the two kinds of treatment are more effective together. It is, however, important to know that not everyone who experiences a traumatic event develops PTSD. For some the symptoms of PTSD fades over time, other people will get better with the help of friends and family but many people do require help from a professional. It is important to remember that trauma may lead to severe distress. That distress is not the individual’s fault, and PTSD is treatable. The earlier a person gets treatment, the better the likely outcome. .

The three main goals of PTSD

• To improve your symptoms
• To teach you coping mechanisms
• To restore your self-esteem

Most PTSD therapies fall under the same umbrella of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). The idea is to change the thought patterns that are disturbing your life. This might happen through talking about your trauma or concentrating on where your fears come from. .

The Link between PTSD and Co-Occurring Disorders

Many mental health disorders can occur with PTSD due to significant changes in the brain functioning, following a traumatic event that leads to PTSD. Someone struggling with PTSD may experience depression, anxiety or substance use disorders. Let us break down each sub-category and briefly discuss each one on its own. .

PTSD and Depression

Depression is a common mental health concern, with approximately 1 in 10 people having some form of depressive disorder every year. Depression is more common among people who experience traumatic events. PTSD and depression frequently co-occur, as people with PTSD are 3 to 5 times more likely to have a depressive disorder. .