What is PTSD?

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a mental health disorder developed by a triggering, terrifying event. 

Symptoms: 

• Intrusive memories:

• Unwanted distressing memories of traumatic event

• Reliving event (flashbacks)

• Emotional distress or physical reactions to something that reminds of event

• Avoidance:

• Avoiding reminders of traumatic event such as people, places, activities, objects, and situations

• Avoiding talking or remembering about event

• Changes in cognition and mood:

• Memory problems, including important parts of traumatic event

• Negative thoughts and feelings and distorted beliefs about oneself

• Feeling numb or difficulty experiencing positive emotions

• Changes in physical and emotional reactions:

• Easily irritable

• Angry outbursts

• Self destructive reckless behavior

• Issues concentrating or sleeping

• For diagnosis, symptoms must last for more than a month and cause significant distress 

Treatment:

• Note: not everyone who experiences trauma develops PTSD and not everyone who develops PTSD requires mental health treatment

• Treatment is needed when causing distress and is intense and disabling

• Various types of psychotherapy and medication

• Medication can help control symptoms

• Antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

• Used alone or with therapy

• Cognitive Behavioral therapy 

• Exposure therapy

• Trauma focused therapy

• Eye movement Desensitization and reprocessing

• Group therapy

PTSD can be difficult and disabling, but is treatable. It is important to seek help if severe and prevents everyday function.