PTSD - Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

 I would like to begin this note by thanking all of my family, friends and my colleagues who I would like to address as my extended family. 🙏 I am indebted for life to be surrounded by you all and the constant support and care I receive from all of you have been my everything 🙏

Trauma : A psychological and emotional response to an event or a series of events that are distressing or harmful. These events are typically perceived as threatening, dangerous, or life-altering. Trauma can result from various experiences; to name a few Physical Injury, Emotional or Psychological Stress, Natural Disasters, War and Conflict, Loss or Bereavement, Serious Illness, Violent Crime, etc.

Trauma can have a profound impact on an individual's mental, emotional, and physical well-being. The effects of trauma can vary widely from person to person, and not everyone who experiences a potentially traumatic event will develop trauma-related symptoms. Common responses to trauma may include feelings of shock, fear, helplessness, or horror.

What is PTSD ? 

PTSD aka Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a mental health condition that can develop in individuals who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event. PTSD can occur after exposure to events that involve actual or threatened death, serious injury, or any trauma mentioned above per say. 

Key features of PTSD include:

1. Intrusive Memories: Individuals with PTSD may experience distressing and unwanted memories of the traumatic event. These memories can come in the form of flashbacks, nightmares, or intrusive thoughts.

2. Avoidance: People with PTSD often go to great lengths to avoid reminders of the traumatic event. This avoidance can include avoiding certain places, people, activities, or discussions that may trigger memories of the trauma.

3. Negative Changes in Thinking and Mood: PTSD can lead to persistent negative thoughts and feelings. This may include feelings of guilt or shame, a distorted sense of blame, and a diminished interest in activities that were once enjoyable.

4. Changes in Arousal and Reactivity: Individuals with PTSD may become easily startled, feel tense or "on edge," have difficulty sleeping, or experience angry outbursts. They may also have difficulty concentrating.

The important point here is that after being exposed to traumatic events, showing these expression patterns for atmost 1 month to 3 months or even a year or two can be normal depending on the individuals emotional tolerance levels and emotional health. However, if these symptoms persist for more than 3 months and significantly interfere with daily functioning and your day today life affecting or distorting what one might righteously claim to be 'the peace of mind', then unfortunately your new normal might be PTSD.  

How to revive from PTSD ? 

=> Peer support, professional help, psychotherapy, medication and continued support and care from family and friends.

Here are some common approaches to treating PTSD:

1. Psychotherapy (Counseling):

   • Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT is one of the most effective forms of therapy for PTSD. It helps individuals identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors associated with the traumatic event. Exposure therapy, a type of CBT, involves gradually and safely facing the memories and situations that are causing distress.
   • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): EMDR is a specific type of therapy that involves guided eye movements while recalling traumatic memories. This is thought to help process the traumatic experiences and reduce their emotional impact.

2. Medications:

   • Antidepressants: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are commonly prescribed to manage symptoms of PTSD. These medications can help alleviate mood and anxiety symptoms.
   • Prazosin: This medication is sometimes used to address nightmares and sleep disturbances associated with PTSD.

3. Supportive Therapies:

   • Group Therapy: Participating in group therapy with others who have experienced similar traumas can provide a sense of understanding, validation, and support.
   • Family Therapy: Involving family members in therapy can help improve communication, understanding, and support within the family unit.

4. Self-Care and Lifestyle Changes:

   • Healthy Lifestyle: Maintaining a healthy and balanced lifestyle, including regular exercise, a nutritious diet, and adequate sleep, can positively impact mental health.
   • Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques: Practices such as mindfulness meditation, deep breathing exercises, and progressive muscle relaxation can help manage stress and anxiety.

5. Education and Psycho-education:

   • Learning about PTSD: Understanding the nature of PTSD and its effects can empower individuals to cope better and engage more effectively in treatment

 I am not in any position of authority to detail out the approaches of professional people who can help out with the treatment but as a peer and an adult who has gone through traumas just like any other adult I can confirm that what one might call, "peace of mind" is the only normal for any individual and attaining that in whichsoever way is the right thing to do. Yes, I have gone through PTSD and yes I did seek peer as well as professional help to better myself. 🙏

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NOW : As an adult, here is an important question to you ? When was the last time you experienced a trauma.. today morning ? yesterday or day before yesterday ?  

When are you going to experience the next trauma ?  In another 1 minute,, in the evening or tomorrow? ? 

You know what I am mocking about.. 

But do you really understand what I am implying on ? Really..

There is a fun quote which goes on like, "a lot of people are going through therapy because a lot of other people in their life are not willing to go for therapy." 

Are you getting there ?? 

Let's see..

Childhood Trauma : Childhood trauma refers to experiences during childhood that are emotionally or psychologically distressing and have the potential to cause lasting effects on a person's mental and emotional well-being.

These experiences can be single or multiple events or a prolonged series of events that exceed a child's ability to cope. Childhood trauma can take various forms including, Physical Abuse, Emotional or Psychological Abuse, Sexual Abuse, Neglect, Domestic Violence, Community Violence, Separation or Loss, etc. 

 Childhood trauma can have profound and long-lasting effects on various aspects of a person's life. It may impact emotional regulation, relationships, cognitive functioning, and physical health. Children who experience trauma may develop coping mechanisms that, while adaptive in the short term, can lead to challenges later in life.

Can you relate to any of these.. As a child or as someone who has a child or as someone who has been a child ?? 

The effects of childhood trauma are often referred to as complex trauma or developmental trauma. They can manifest in various ways, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, behavioral problems, and difficulties forming healthy relationships.

It's important to note that not every child who experiences a traumatic event will necessarily develop long-term negative consequences. However, as a kid what you face can somehow result in conditioning and shaping your reality as an adult and if a trauma or an unnoticed PTSD in the childhood goes untreated, your adulthood can also just be the manifestation of the PTSD of your childhood trauma.  

A real time checker would be self analysis to begin with..,

 How do you define your peace of mind ? 

What disturbs your peace of mind ?

Why does it disturb your peace of mind ?  

As a PTSD survivor, here is a quote which most often helped me emotionally attain back that state of mind which I define as my peace of mind.. 

"Whenever you are about to find fault with someone, ask yourself the following question : What fault of mine most nearly resembles the one I am about to criticize ? " 

Does this self seeking prevent you from going further with the criticism or shifting blame to an outside entity for disturbing your peace of mind? regardless, do you still go further with the criticism.. ?? 

If yes, somewhere in that thought process is a trigger which you should self seek, update your perception, further self seek or seek professional aid to eliminate so that peace of mind can be established.

 Hope it helps!! 😊✌