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Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.[/caption]
Posttraumatic stress disorder or PTSD affects individuals who have experienced a traumatic incident and are unable to recover from the effects of it.
In PTSD an individual has, first, been through a traumatic incident. The trauma was so intense for the individual that they repetitively experiences distressing symptoms associated to the incident. It can be in the form of flashbacks, terrifying dreams, emotions or physical sensations associated to the incident. As a result, the individual may end up avoiding any environmental or internal factor that can trigger these distressing symptoms. The symptoms of PTSD usually develop within the first 3 months of the traumatic incidents.
The traumatic incidents an individual experiences, that results in PTSD, may vary. It could be a war, childhood neglect, accidents, physical and sexual abuse or being threatened with life. It is not necessary for an individual to experience the incident first-hand; PTSD can also develop if an individual is a witness to these incidents or hear it from someone who has been through it.
Apart from these incidents, there are different risk factors that make an individual vulnerable to PTSD. Some of these are:
- A job where there are chances of being exposed to traumatic incidents such as army or police force.
- Lack of support system, from friends and family.
- Childhood emotional problems.
- Experiencing traumatic incident in earlier life.
- Growing up in a neighbourhood where traumatic incidents are frequent, such as a neighbour where crime rates are high.
- Having a family member who has PTSD or had PTSD in the past.
The cause of PTSD can be both external and internal factors. It could be:
- Risk for mental illness inherited from parents, such as vulnerability to depression or anxiety.
- Negative temperament, aspects of personality, such as negative appraisals, inappropriate coping strategies.
- Traumatic life experiences it may or may not be prolong exposure to the incidents.
- The way one’s body and brain chemicals respond to stress.
Along with PTSD, another, one or more, mental illness may occur. Individuals suffering from PTSD are also seen to develop substance use disorder, anxiety disorder and conduct disorder. Symptoms of PTSD leave an individual with negative thinking patterns and feelings of blame and guilt towards themselves. However, there are various therapies and medications available that can help an individual recover from PTSD and any associated mental illness. If you anyone who may be experiencing PTSD, call us now on +919741476476.
