Post Traumatic Stress Disorder(PTSD) is a mental health disorder that gets triggered by an event that was terrifying to the individual, either through experience or seeing the event.
Symptoms of PTSD include:
- Severe anxiety to the point where it directly affects day to day activities of the individual.
- Flashbacks of the event which can be triggered at any random time.
- Nightmares about the event
- Inability to control thoughts about the event.
Who develops Post Traumatic Stress Disorder?
Pretty much anyone at any age can become subject to developing PTSD. This would include veterans who have been to war, people who have been through physical abuse, sexual assault, disasters, accidents, or other serious events.
However, not everyone who has PTSD had been through a severely traumatic event. In fact, some individuals can develop this disorder if family members or close friends of the person experiences the danger or harm. PTSD can also be triggered by the unexpected death of a loved one.
The factors that may increase the risk of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder would include:
- Experiencing dangerous events or going through trauma.
- Getting hurt.
- Having to see someone else get hurt or witnessing the death of a person.
- Trauma occurred during childhood.
- Extreme fear and helplessness.
- An individual not receiving adequate social support after a traumatic e event.
- A history of mental illnesses.
- Alcoholics or substance abuse issues.
However, there are certain resilience factors that could be performed for the reduction of the risk of PTSD and include:
- Seeking support from either family or close friends.
- Seeking help from a support group after the traumatic event.
- Learning how to boost self-esteem to own up to the actions to be taken in the face of danger.
- A coping strategy that works positively could help.
- The ability to act and respond in a manner that shows confidence despite feeling any fear.
A Post Traumatic stress disorder diagnosis is unable to be done without at least a month after experiencing a traumatic event.
However, it is unlikely that individuals would experience PTSD symptoms soon after a traumatic event. Although, studies were conducted in which it was described that symptoms similar to that of PTSD occurred within a month of an experience that caused trauma like Acute Stress Disorder (ASD).
If an individual has ASD, it is incredibly likely that person will develop PTSD.
However, not everyone who has ASD will develop PTSD.
Post traumatic stress disorder is an incredibly delicate disorder that requires all the help they can get. Assistance could involve intense therapy sessions so that those individuals can “talk it out” to help the traumatized individuals post-event.
Silver Lining Psychiatry is a psychiatric organization based in Orlando, Florida and seeks to offer individuals with the right care, attention, and help they need.
Here at SLP, patients are treated uniquely according to their personalities. Through a blend of psychiatric evaluations and medication management offered by our empathetic providers, individuals will achieve all the help they need to improve their health and achieve personal goals.
