People go through all kinds of trauma in life. It can lead to stress, anxiety, and depression if not treated properly on time. It can even lead to PTSD.
Some people like to keep things private due to the fear of getting embarrassed by family and friends.
This emotional trauma kills them from the inside. It is best to share your traumatic experience with your close confidante so that you can take that emotional baggage off your shoulders.
The Run Down on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Signs of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
The symptoms of PTSD may take a toll on your everyday life. Some people may experience the symptoms in the first month after the trauma while some may experience them months after the trauma due to a repeated occurrence of a stressful event.
Re-live
When the person with PTSD relives and re-experience the trauma through flashbacks, nightmares, repetitive images, or physical sensations then it is the first sign of PTSD.
People who have gone through physical abuse in life, fear getting close to someone. Getting shivers down the spine while attending a social gathering where a person was physically abused may affect the mental health of that person.
People who fear stepping out of their houses can resort to violent behavior as a defense mechanism. They feel threatened if somebody coerces them to attend a social gathering.
Withdrawal
Some people withdraw themselves from people or social gatherings which remind them of their trauma. They try to avoid the situation by isolating themselves and becoming emotionally numb.
If you see a person around you who has become silent or refuses to talk at once, try having a light-hearted conversation with that person. Be gentle and understanding.
You never know what that person is going through in life. Such behavior is a direct indication of depression or stress.
Outbursts
Some people with PTSD show their anxiety through outbursts and irritability. They feel agitated and end up getting sleep-deprived. Their negative thoughts about themselves may take a toll on their mental health.
Sometimes, people who go through PTSD may have a mental breakdown. The only way to cope with this situation is to talk them out. Try to listen to what they want to say.
Never give religious advice such as “you should pray to God.” Sometimes, religious prayers are not the answer to anyone’s problems.
Sometimes, a doctor is needed. A little push in the right direction can help someone massively with their PTSD symptoms. Whether that is from a therapist or medication, it can be a big help.
Other Symptoms
Some physical symptoms that are experienced by the person with PTSD may include things like dizziness, headache, drug or alcohol abuse, phobias, chest pain, and muscle pain.
Even though they may appear to be minor symptoms, they should not be taken lightly. Try to refer to your general physician to discuss the issues you are facing physically and emotionally.
These physical symptoms might seem minor but they can take a huge toll on someone’s daily life as they attempt to work, socialize, and relax.
PTSD in Children
Children may also get affected due to bullying and emotional distress so it is better to identify the symptoms and take them to cognitive behavioral therapy to treat their symptoms.
Try to have healthy communication with your children in this regard. Be open, honest, and willing to help. Helping them now will pay off on their journey to becoming adults. These emotional wounds, if left untreated, can be detrimental.
Diagnosis
Feelings of sadness may time and again affect the mental state of a person. It is totally normal to feel upset over petty issues but if you are persistently upset and experiencing PTSD symptoms after 4 weeks of the traumatic event then you should consult with your general physician.
Be honest with your general physician and tell every detail of the traumatic event and how it is affecting your everyday life. Your general physician will refer you to a mental health expert.
From here, a mental health expert can help you with coping mechanisms as well as needed antidepressants. Often, this is the hardest step for individuals.
While simply asking for help is often the hardest, once this step is done, everything else will follow. This is crucial in handling PTSD.
Self-help:
This may be hard for some people to cope with the symptoms of PTSD. You can always try to take small steps on your road to recovery.
Try not to get overwhelmed with the recovery process. You can adopt any number of lifestyle changes to try and improve your mental health.
You can engage in mild exercises, like taking a morning walk and visiting a nearby park. This is another way to meet new people and engage in healthy conversations! You can join support groups and listen to podcasts.
You can also try activities such as guided meditation. On Youtube, you can find many helpful sessions. Just pop in a pair of headphones, play a session, and go for an evening walk! Make it a part of your daily routine.
Journaling is one of the best therapies! Document all of your thought onto paper, and toss them away or burn it afterward. Furthermore, you can be sure to break down major tasks into small ones to help focus.
Treatment
Mental health specialists first rule out symptoms of any other mental illness by asking you a series of questions. They do an assessment of your symptoms for a few weeks so it is better to follow up on the treatment.
Active monitoring is done to assess the symptoms if they persist for a longer period of time.
Psychotherapy
The first and foremost step in the treatment of PTSD is psychotherapy. The therapist may ask you questions related to the traumatic event and may provide solutions to your mental problems.
Your mind will be conditioned to think positively about every life event. You may be advised on how you can cope with some stressful situations through breathing exercises.
A therapist is like your map to navigating a stressful life and mental state. They can guide you on your journey, and offer many helpful tips and tricks. This is perhaps the most important step in managing PTSD.
Medications
Antidepressants are prescribed along with the therapy to the patients with PTSD. These medicines calm down the nerves and make your mind at peace.
One of the major downfalls of antidepressants is that they can become quite expensive. However, there’s no need to worry!
You can buy these antidepressants in consultation with your doctor from PricePro Canadian Pharmacy. They sell authentic medicines at discounted prices.
Conclusion
Post-traumatic stress disorder can take a toll on your daily life. These emotional wounds can affect you both physically and mentally. It can affect adults as well as children just as much.
PTSD can show up in a multitude of ways, like irritation, outbursts, withdrawal, and a lack of sleep. It is a silent disorder that often makes people feel incredibly isolated and lonely.
But the good news is that many people share in the experience of having PTSD. There are ways to cope! By seeking help from a medical professional, taking antidepressants, therapy, and self-help activities like walking, you can manage your PTSD.
