Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (P.T.S.D)

ABOUT
A disorder characterised by failure to recover after experiencing or witnessing a terrifying event.

• Treatable by a medical professional
• Medium-term: resolves within months
• Requires a medical diagnosis
• Lab tests or imaging not required

The condition may last months or years, with triggers that can bring back memories of the trauma accompanied by intense emotional and physical reactions.
Symptoms may include nightmares or flashbacks, avoidance of situations that bring back the trauma, heightened reactivity to stimuli, anxiety or depressed mood.
Treatment includes different types of psychotherapy as well as medications to manage symptoms.
Consult a doctor for medical advice
Sources: Mayo Clinic and others.

SYMPTOMS
Requires a medical diagnosis
Symptoms may include nightmares or flashbacks, avoidance of situations that bring back the trauma, heightened reactivity to stimuli, anxiety or depressed mood.
People may experience:
Behavioural: agitation, irritability, hostility, hypervigilance, self-destructive behaviour, or social isolation
Psychological: flashback, fear, severe anxiety, or mistrust
Mood: loss of interest or pleasure in activities, guilt, or loneliness
Sleep: insomnia or nightmares
Also common: emotional detachment or unwanted thoughts
Consult a doctor for medical advice
Sources: Mayo Clinic and others.

TREATMENTS
Treatment consists of medications and therapy
Treatment includes different types of psychotherapy as well as medications to manage symptoms.
Therapies
Cognitive behavioral therapy
A talk therapy focused on modifying negative thoughts, behaviours and emotional responses associated with psychological distress.
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing
Psychological treatment that reduces the stress of traumatic events through eye movements.
Exposure and response prevention
A talk therapy based on exposing feared or traumatic experiences within a safe setting in order to help reduce any associated psychological distress.Medications
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI)
Eases symptoms of depressed mood and anxiety.