Something a lot more common than people think is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which is an anxiety disorder caused by very stressful, frightening or distressing events. With the current pandemic going on, many have had to face traumatic situations. The health sector has had to watch patients’ health deteriorate, and some even pass away, and they’ve had to face the most stressful situations that they won’t forget. For some veterans, PTSD can have a substantial negative impact on them, reminding them of the times they were in the war and all the tragedies that took place.
It’s that feeling of constantly being reminded of that awful time that looms, and it never really goes away. The events can often come through in nightmares and flashbacks, and they may experience some irritability, guilt or isolation. It can also give the person suffering difficulty sleeping, such as insomnia, and even concentrating can be a difficult task.
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Symptoms of PTSD:
Vivid flashbacks (feeling like the trauma is happening at that exact moment), intrusive thoughts or images, nightmares, physical pain, sweating, nausea or trembling. It can also lead to intense distress when thinking about reminders of the trauma. Panicking when reminded of the trauma, getting easily upset or angry, disturbed sleep, aggressive behaviour, hypervigilance and being easily startled.
When you try to avoid the feelings or memories of the event, you may often find yourself trying to keep as busy as possible and avoid anything that reminds you of the trauma—being unable to remember specific details, feeling numb, using alcohol or drugs to prevent the memories of it.
You may experience the feeling of not being able to trust anyone, feeling like nowhere you go is safe, blaming yourself for what happened and having constant feelings of anger, sadness, guilt or shame.
If you’re experiencing symptoms of PTSD, it may also be difficult with some aspects of daily life. You may find it hard to look after yourself, hold down a job, cope with change, and maintain friendships.
Causes for PTSD
The situations that we find traumatic are not the same for everyone; there are so many experiences that can cause PTSD. Some may involve being in a car crash, being attacked, being abused or bullied, doing a job where you’re constantly faced with distressing images, traumatic childbirth, war, losing someone you love close to you and any events in which you fear for your life.
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Types of PTSD
If you’ve been diagnosed with PTSD, two common types can rise from mild to moderate to more severe. This will explain the current impact your symptoms are having on you.
Delayed-onset PTSD- If your symptoms appear more than six months after experiencing trauma, this might be described as ‘delayed PTSD’ or ‘delayed-onset PTSD’.
Complex PTSD- If you’ve experienced trauma at an early age or it lasted a long time, you might be given a diagnosis of ‘complex PTSD’. This is where you experience symptoms of PTSD, but also other additional symptoms may persist. Difficulty controlling emotions, feeling distrustful towards the world, constant feelings of hopelessness like nobody understands you and many more.
Getting help
It’s important to realise that it’s normal to experience upset and a sense of confusion after a traumatic event. But most people improve within weeks. If you or someone you know are still having problems around four, we will see signs weeks after the experience; you can contact your GP, who can refer you to a mental health specialist who will then give you further assessment and advice on treatment.
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Treatment for PTSD
Like many mental health illnesses, PTSD can be successfully treated even when it starts years after the event has happened.
Treatments can include:
- Watchful waiting- this means to keep an eye on your symptoms to see if they improve or get worse without treatment
- antidepressants- such as paroxetine or mirtazapine
- Psychological therapies- such as cognitive behavioural therapy, which will be mainly trauma-focused. Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing- a new treatment that can reduce symptoms of PTSD symptoms, such as being easily scared. Read more here.
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Self-help strategies
PTSD is something that can be highly distressing. If you find the symptoms hard to bear, you must seek help. Flashbacks are a common sign of PTSD; they can be horrible to have to go through and can creep up now and then. There are a few ways to help yourself when going through the flashbacks. Focusing on your breathing, you may stop breathing normally when you’re in a state of panic. So when you feel yourself going into that state, breathe slowly in and out, counting to five.
Keep telling yourself that you’re safe, comfort yourself, cuddle up in a blanket, sit with your pet, listen to soothing music, or watch a film. Keeping a diary may help; take note of the stages of what occurs when you go through the flashbacks, and it could help you spot what triggers you. Get to grips with what triggers you: smells, sounds, words or a particular place. Talk to a friend, family member, or a professional such as a therapist or GP. Take your time; feel free to talk about your experience sparingly; if you need to take the time before you speak about it, that’s ok.
Think about your diet; eating regularly and keeping your blood sugar stable can help you cope with complicated feelings, exercise, spend time in nature, and avoid drugs and alcohol at all costs. They have so many complications and only get worse in the long run and make symptoms even worse, as well as sleeping.
If you know someone who is suffering from PTSD or you think that they may have it, then it’s best to be there for them and let them tell you. Let them talk at their own pace, do not pressure them, allow them time to be upset after what happened, and do not make assumptions about their feelings. Don’t judge, even though you might find it hard to understand. Learn their triggers and talk about situations or conversations that might trigger the flashbacks or feelings. When experiencing a flashback, try to stay calm, telling one, avoid making any movements and encourage them to take a deep breaths them they have. Don’t overcrowd them, don’t touch or hug them without permission and try not to startle them.
Look out for any warning signs, such as a change in mood, such as anger or upset, a change in work performance, lateness, or perhaps changing energy levels or lack of concentration. Help them find the support they need!
If you’re interested in online counselling, do not hesitate to get in touch with Becky at 0751049571 or email beckywhocares1@outlook.com or on Facebook, Instagram @counsellorwhocares the same for Twitter, or you can fill out the form on the website.
Please take a look at this post on Instagram.
YoungMinds Crisis Messenger: Text YM to 85258
Call Samaritans on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org
Call Assist Trauma Care on 01788 560 800
Call Men’s Health Forum at 020 7922 7908 or visit their website to contact them online.
Website: https://www.counsellorwhocares.co.uk
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