Understanding post-traumatic stress disorder
6/26/2023
Carrie Shimkus, LPC, Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, Aspirus Koller Behavioral Health Clinic – Rhinelander
Terrifying events
leave a mark. Whether it's combat, a natural disaster, a bad car accident, an
abusive relationship or something else, people often feel the effects, known as
post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), long after the danger has passed.
June is recognized
as PTSD Month and June 27 is National PTSD Awareness Day. It’s an
opportunity to shed light on the challenges faced by individuals living with
PTSD and to promote empathy, support, and education about the condition, as
well as to reduce the stigma associated with mental health issues.
“When someone has
experienced or witnessed a stressful or life-threatening event, the fear
associated with it may be hard to shake. If it intensifies and starts to
interfere with everyday life, it could be PTSD,” says Carrie
Shimkus, LPC, Certified Clinical Trauma Professional at Aspirus Koller
Behavioral Health Clinic – Rhinelander. “Tell someone – your doctor or a
close friend – if you’re having thoughts, feelings or behaviors that are
unusual for you. You’re not alone, and talking about it is the first step in
taking charge and stopping the fear from ruling your life.”
Four categories of
symptoms
Post-traumatic
stress disorder (PTSD) often appears within three months after the trauma, but
it can occur later. There are four categories of symptoms, according to
the American Psychiatric Association (APA):
Intrusive
symptoms. People with PTSD may have vivid memories of the event without
warning. These memories are so strong that they take over the person's
attention. This is usually called a flashback.
Severe flashbacks
may cause the person to enter a dreamlike state, where the person acts as
though the event is happening again.
Avoidance. The
person may avoid situations that remind him or her of the trauma. He or she may
pull away from friends and family, and may feel numb and incapable of feeling
or expressing emotion.
Negative thoughts
and feelings. People with PTSD may have ongoing distorted beliefs about
themselves or others. Feelings of fear, anger, guilt and shame are possible.
And people may lose interest in taking part in activities or being around
others.
Hyperarousal and
reactivity. PTSD can also cause the person to feel constantly threatened.
He or she may become irritable or have trouble concentrating or sleeping. Panic
attacks and reckless or self-destructive behavior are also possible.
PTSD can cause other
problems such as alcohol or drug abuse, poor self-control and an increased risk
of suicide.
Not everyone who
experiences something traumatic has PTSD. Some people recover from trauma with
the help of family and friends. However, if symptoms last more than a month,
treatment may be needed.
Getting help
Behavior therapy is
usually effective in treating this disorder. A therapist can use a variety of
treatments, including relaxation therapy and desensitization, where the person
is exposed to something that reminds him or her of the event and then learns to
cope with it.
PTSD can be
aggravated by the person's view of the world compared to the reality that they
witnessed during the event. Helping the person look at their values and how
those values may have been violated during the trauma may help to resolve
internal conflicts. Peer-counseling groups are also effective, as the person
may have a chance to hear how others reacted and felt in the same situation.
Sometimes,
medications such as antidepressants help the person to participate in these
treatments more fully.
Most of the time,
these treatments take place outside of the hospital. But if the person becomes
dangerous, treatment in a hospital may be recommended.
If you are
struggling to cope, or the symptoms of PTSD begin to interfere with your
everyday life, it may be time to talk to a health care professional. Find an
Aspirus provider at aspirus.org
/ find-a-provider.
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