For many, the first thought that immediately comes to mind after hearing the term Posttraumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD is most likely the military. PTSD is often connected to the horrible effects of war and combat; however, it is important to note that PTSD not only affects veterans; anyone is susceptible to PTSD. American Psychiatric Association estimates that PTSD is a problem that affects about 3.5% of adults, and 1 out of 11 people will have PTSD in their lifetime.
What is PTSD?
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD is a mental health condition or psychiatric disorder that may be seen in those who have been through or witnessed traumatizing events. PTSD is also often linked with non-violent but frightening events. For example, situations like natural disasters, serious accidents, terrorist attacks or the unexpected death of a loved one can trigger PTSD.
Many sufferers of PTSD believe they will never be able to overcome their issues since they cannot get rid of the trauma. But medical professionals can aid you in reducing symptoms of PTSD or even achieving total recovery.
Who can develop PTSD?
Around 7.7 million individuals in the United States live with PTSD. Anyone who has experienced trauma could be susceptible to becoming afflicted with PTSD. However, not all who have been through trauma will develop PTSD. Anyone who has some of the risk factors mentioned below has a greater likelihood of becoming afflicted with PTSD:
Childhood trauma
Witnessing someone else being injured
In a depressing state
Insufficient support after the trigger event
Symptoms of PTSD
Mental health professionals recognize four distinct kinds of symptoms of PTSD:
Intrusive Memories: Those who have PTSD may experience flashbacks, obsessive thinking, and nightmares of the experience they went through.
Changes in physical and emotional reactions: Having the condition can cause people to be alert all the time. This could cause someone to become very easily frightened.
Avoidance: The anxiety the trauma creates can cause those who have PTSD to avoid any activity in connection with the trigger event. The avoidance may be so extreme that individuals cannot return to work, attend social gatherings or go to any public places.
Changes in mood and thinking: People with PTSD can experience persistent self-defeating thoughts about the world and experience depressed or even negative moods.
Treatment of PTSD
While trauma is the root cause of PTSD, healthy coping strategies and a solid support system can help lessen the likelihood of developing PTSD. In addition, a variety of treatment options like medication or therapies are available to patients with PTSD. Therapy professionals and psychotherapists can help those with PTSD find methods to deal with the trauma they've experienced. The professionals may use a variety of kinds of counselling techniques to assist people who have PTSD, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Prolonged Exposure, or Group Therapy.
Does anyone you know have PTSD, or do they exhibit symptoms of the disorder? The team at Boston Neurobehavioral Associates can help. The team of compassionate and qualified practitioners at Boston Neurobehavioral Associates can work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan so you can learn how to control and overcome the effects of PTSD. If anyone is experiencing symptoms of PTSD, the exceptional team at Boston Neurobehavioral Associates that is now offering services in Rhode Island, can help. You can book a PTSD evaluation by visiting www.bostonneurobehavioral.com or by calling us.
