PTSD – Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

🔍 Definition:

PTSD is a mental health condition that develops after a person experiences or witnesses a traumatic event, such as:

• War or combat

• Natural disasters

• Serious accidents

• Physical or sexual assault

• Sudden death of a loved one

It involves intense, disturbing thoughts and feelings related to the traumatic experience that last long after the event has ended.

⚠️ Common Symptoms:

PTSD symptoms are generally grouped into four categories:

1. Intrusive memories:

   • Flashbacks (reliving the trauma)

   • Nightmares

   • Distressing thoughts

2. Avoidance:

   • Avoiding reminders of the trauma (places, people, conversations)

   • Avoiding thoughts or feelings about the event

3. Negative changes in thinking and mood:

   • Feelings of hopelessness

   • Memory problems

   • Emotional numbness

   • Difficulty maintaining close relationships

4. Changes in physical and emotional reactions:

   • Being easily startled

   • Feeling tense or on edge

   • Irritability or angry outbursts

   • Difficulty sleeping

🧬 Causes and Risk Factors:

• Direct exposure to a traumatic event

• Having a history of mental illness or trauma

• Lack of support after the trauma

• Genetics and brain chemistry

🧪 Diagnosis:

• Diagnosed by a mental health professional (psychiatrist, psychologist)

• Symptoms must last more than 1 month and significantly interfere with daily life

💊 Treatment Options:

1. Psychotherapy (most effective):

   • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), especially Trauma-Focused CBT

   • Exposure Therapy

   • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

2. Medications:

   • SSRIs (e.g., sertraline, paroxetine) to reduce anxiety and depression

3. Support groups and mindfulness-based therapies

📌 Key Facts:

• PTSD can affect anyone, including children.

• Symptoms may appear within weeks of the trauma or years later.

• With proper treatment, most people experience significant improvement.