Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
What is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) describes a set of symptoms that appear after experiencing a traumatic or catastrophic event. Those who experience PTSD have difficulty overcoming an unpleasant experience. These symptoms lead to an alteration of physical life to such an extent that leading a normal life becomes very difficult.
Symptoms of PTSD are normal in those who have suffered or witnessed a traumatic experience, but if they persist for approximately more than a month and the individual is unable to progress in handling their emotions and processing the experience, this is considered to be post-traumatic stress disorder.
Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder
People with post-traumatic stress feel depressed, anxious, guilty and angry or more irritable and susceptible. In addition, symptoms may include nightmares or flashbacks, avoidance of situations that bring back the trauma, heightened reactivity to stimuli, anxiety, or feeling incredibly low. In many cases, the patient often takes an avoidance attitude to the trauma, as well as a lack of interest in maintaining social relationships.
Causes of post-traumatic stress
The cause of post-traumatic stress is a traumatic experience, which causes intense sadness or anxiety. PTSD can occur after any type of traumatic event, as it depends on the individual and their reaction to the event. PTSD could occur after a road accident, or violent assault, for example, but it could also occur as a result of a particularly traumatic birth experience or medical experience. PTSD can present shortly after the experience, or it can present weeks or months later.
Treatment of post-traumatic stress
Treatment of post-traumatic stress varies depending on the case, but it may include psychotherapy to overcome the trauma, and medication (e.g antidepressants).
The most common therapies to treat post-traumatic stress are exposure therapy and cognitive therapy as well as techniques to manage anxiety.
Medication should always be prescribed under the supervision and therapy of a psychiatrist so that the patient's progression can be controlled and observed, thus avoiding possible side effects of the drugs.
COVID-19: are healthcare professionals on the frontline at risk of PTSD?
By Professor Ben Green
2021-10-22
Experts have suggested that doctors and nurses who are enduring long working hours and witnessing large scale infections and deaths, might require PTSD therapy or other mental health treatment following the coronavirus pandemic. Professor Ben Green, a psychiatrist from Liverpool, explores similar events through history to help us understand whether this is, in fact, an issue that many might already be experiencing. See more
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): who does it affect?
By Dr Lars Davidsson
2021-10-21
If you, or someone you know, is experiencing avoidance behaviour and insomnia among other symptoms after a traumatic event, you may have PTSD. Dr Lars Davidsson is a highly trained consultant psychiatrist at the Anglo European Clinic and in this article, he explains the symptoms of PTSD, complex PTSD and how to make a smooth transition to regain your life after an incident. See more
Is stress a mental health condition?
By Dr Kishore Chandiramani
2021-10-15
Stressful situations are an inevitable factor in life but what's important is how we respond to them. Dr Kishore Chandiramani, a leading consultant psychiatrist, explains what stress is, how it can manifest (physically and mentally) and clarifies how stress can be overcome. See more
COVID-19: how can healthcare professionals cope with PTSD?
By Professor Ben Green
2021-10-13
Medical staff aren't only facing a life-threatening virus, many will have their own personal fears and difficulties to face on top of this: The inability to save patients, a fear of infection by not having enough protective equipment, hearing of co-workers dying and a feeling of helplessness could all amount to deep emotional trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder. Professor Ben Green, a psychiatrist from Liverpool offer some tips as to how every medical personnel on the frontline can better cope during these hard times. See more
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