Post
Traumatic Stress Disorder
In
our everyday lives, any of us can have an experience that is
overwhelming, frightening, and beyond our control. We could find
ourselves in a car crash, be the victim of an assault, or see an
accident. Most
people, in time, get over experiences like this without needing
help. In some people, though, traumatic experiences set off a
reaction that can last for many months or years. This is called Post
Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD for short.
PTSD
can start after any traumatic event. A traumatic event is one
where we can see that we are in danger, our life is threatened,
or where we see other people dying or being injured. Some
typical traumatic events would be:
- serious
accidents
- military
combat
- violent
personal assault (sexual assault, physical attack, abuse,
robbery, mugging)
- being
taken hostage
- terrorist
attack
- being
a prisoner-of-war
- natural
or man-made disasters
- being
diagnosed with a life-threatening illness.
Even
hearing about an the unexpected injury or violent death of a
loved one or close friend can start PTSD.
People
can tell if they have PTSD if they have experienced a traumatic
event of the sort described.
If they have, do they:
- have
vivid memories, flashbacks or nightmares?
- avoid
things that remind you of the event?
- feel
emotionally numb at times?
- feel
irritable and constantly on edge, but can’t see why?
- eat
more than usual, or use more drink or drugs than usual?
- feel
out of control of your mood?
- find
it more difficult to get on with other people?
- have
to keep very busy to cope?
- feel
depressed or exhausted?
If
it is less
than 6 weeks since the traumatic event and these
experiences are slowly improving, they may be part of the normal
process of adjustment.
If
it is more
than 6 weeks since the event, and these
experiences don’t seem to be getting better, it is worth
talking it over with your doctor.
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