PTSD - Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
If you watch the news, read the newspaper, or even pick up a news magazine,you have probably heard of Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). You’ll hear about it with regards to abuse victims, war veterans and those who have lived through traumatic events. My generation will be one of the first to go through their 20’s and 30’s with a very clear memorial picture of the all of the World Trade Center falling after being hit by an airplane. The memories of this traumatic events are already manifesting themselves in our minds and have lead many patients to their doctors with PTSD symptoms.
There are three categories that the symptoms of PTSD fall into: re-living, avoidance and increased arousal.
Re-living symptoms: flashbacks, nightmares, extreme emotional & physical reactions to reminders of the event including feeling guilty, extreme fear of harm and numbing of emotions. The physical reactions can include uncontrollable shaking, chills, heart palpitations and tension headaches.
Avoidance symptoms: staying away from activities, places, thoughts or feelings related to the trauma or a feeling of detachment or estrangement from others.
Increased arousal: being overly alert or easily startled, being irritable or quick to anger, having difficulty sleeping or concentrating.
Other symptoms that are linked with PTSD include panic attacks, depression, suicidal idealation, drug abuse, feelings of alienation and isolation and even the inability to complete daily tasks.
In addition to seeking professional treatment to help you deal with PTSD, there are things you can do to cope with it on daily basis:
try to maintain your usual routine.
take the time to resolve day-to-day conflicts so they do not add to your stress.
try not to shy away from situations, people, or places that remind you of the traumatic event.
find ways to relax and be kind to yourself.
turn to family, friends, and clergy person for support, and talk about your experiences and feelings with them.
continue to participate in leisure and recreational activities.
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