PTSD, the abbreviation of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a mental illness that affects individuals that have been through or have witnessed a traumatic event. And it can change a person’s life, as one may experience feelings, which can manifest themselves as flashbacks, nightmares, extreme anxiety and thoughts about the event. Given the significant distress PTSD causes, many people wonder: Does one regain his former status?
Understanding PTSD
PTSD is a comprehensive disorder that is not one dimensional and does not manifest in the same form in all people. The consequences can develop immediately after the terrifying experience or can manifest themselves only months or years later. Common symptoms include:
- Intrusive Memories: Unwanted repeated intrusive recollection of the traumatic event, reliving the event through flashback, or having the traumatic event in the form of a nightmare.
- Avoidance: Emotional numbing or blunting; attempts to not think about the event, or talk about it; avoiding situations or people that may trigger a recurrence of the event.
- Negative Changes in Thinking and Mood: Smaller sample of symptoms that can occur: hopelessness, emotional numbness or detachment from people.
- Changes in Physical and Emotional Reactions: Self reported mechanisms include sounds that can make one leap off their skin, being alert or irritable, sleeping problems, or getting easily furious.
Is There a Cure for PTSD?
Although there isn’t a permanent cure for PTSD, there are interventions that can be used to manage and minimize the effects of the condition. The purpose of treatment is to enhance the general quality of life of a person and provide them with procedures by which they can gain some sort of control over the symptom. When treated properly, most of the people diagnosed with PTSD improve tremendously and can live normal lives.
Effective Treatments for PTSD
Several evidence-based treatments have proven effective in managing PTSD symptoms:Several evidence-based treatments have proven effective in managing PTSD symptoms:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Such therapy aims at making a person rewrite his/her traumatic experiences and the patterns of behaviors that are linked to them. In general, CBT is suitable for PTSD, but one of its official varieties – Trauma-Focused CBT – is more effective.
- Exposure Therapy: This therapy takes time to introduce the person to the memories of the traumatic event or any other situation that causes the person to have the traumas, thus enabling the person to address their concerns.
- Antidepressants: Pharmacological treatment includes the use of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors such as sertraline and paroxetine for the management of PTSD symptoms. These medications can alleviate the signs of anxiety, depression and even enable better sleep.
- Anti-anxiety Medications: On occasions, physicians may give drugs for anxiety disorders whereby they are used for the brief treatment of the condition.
- Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques: Other forms of relaxation techniques include practicing meditation, controlled breathing and practicing yoga exercises.
- Support Networks: Being with people, who also had some abuse, or getting into the group is essential as it helps to feel not alone.
Post-traumatic stress disorder is best handled if it is treated as soon as possible after the occurrence of a traumatic event. It is always preferable to give a patient treatment as soon as possible. Please seek help from a Psychiatrist in Karachi. They are in a position to determine the extent of the manifestations and suggest a relevant therapy course.
Conclusion
PTSD however does not have a cure and therefore with treatment the severity of the symptoms that the person endures is reduced and the person’s quality of life is improved. PTSD is not easy to overcome but with proper treatment, the PTSD patients can get their lives back and live normal and happy lives free from the PTSD symptoms. If you are among the victims of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, remember that you can get help, getting treatment is the first step to recovery. Visit a Best Psychiatrist in Lahore to get started.