Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
On this page, you will find everything you are looking for regarding post-traumatic stress disorder.
What is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?
It is a mental disorder that occurs in some people who have experienced a traumatic, frightening, or dangerous event. It is normal to feel fear after such experiences, but when the fear lasts longer than the event itself and affects a person’s social and professional quality of life, it is considered a disorder.
What are the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?
- PTSD symptoms may appear immediately, after months, or even years, and they include:
- Recalling the traumatic event through nightmares or intrusive thoughts accompanied by feelings of fear and anxiety.
- Avoiding places or thoughts related to the traumatic event.
- Feeling guilty and having a negative outlook on life,as well as losing the ability to feel pleasure.
- Experiencing sleepproblems suchas insomnia.
Having difficulty concentrating and staying focused.
What are the causes of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?
- PTSD often occurs after an extremely stressful, frightening, or painful event, or after experiencing prolonged trauma. Events may include:
- Difficult personal situations, such as serious road accidents.
- Witnessing a traumatic event, such as seeing someone injured or killed.
- Violent physical assaults, such as beatings.
- Health conditions, such as being diagnosed with serious illnesses.
Experiencing trauma during childhood.
What are the methods of diagnosis?:
- The doctor takes the medical history and performs a clinical examination, and may request additional procedures as needed, such as:DSM-5).
- Applying the criteria listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).
A psychological evaluation that includes discussing the signs and symptoms you are experiencing and the event or events that caused them.
What are the treatment methods for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?:
- PTSD can be treated even years after the traumatic event. Treatment dependson the severity of symptoms and how soon they appear after the event. It involves several procedures, as needed, and may include the following:.
- Medications, such as antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs.
Psychological therapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).
What are the ways to prevent post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?
- Prevention can be applied in two ways:
- First, through psychological and social training to enhance the resilience of populations at high risk (for example, military personnel).
- Second, early intervention immediately after the traumatic experience.
- What are the complications of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?
- Anger problems or outbursts.
- Increased feelings of loneliness and isolation.
Severe depression.
When should you see a doctor?
It is normal to experience disturbing thoughts after a traumatic event for a few weeks, but you should see a doctor if you still have problems about four weeks after the traumatic experience, or if the symptoms are severe and you have suicidal thoughts or thoughts of harming others.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Why do some people develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) while others do not?
- There are some factors that make a person more likely to develop post-traumatic stress disorder, including:
- A medical history of mental illnesses.
- Inability to cope with stress when it occurs.
