Unlocking the Chains of PTSD: Keys to Help You Feel Like You Again
Many people tend to associate PTSD with military service, but the fact of the matter is that it is a condition that can affect anyone for a variety of different reasons.
Anyone who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) will be able to testify just how devastating it can be to their lives, but there are ways to combat the condition and find the that sets you on the road to recovery and allows you to feel like you again.
Experiencing a traumatic experience
PTSD affects more than 8.5 million adults and is an anxiety disorder that although commonly associated with combat veterans exposed to war, can happen to anyone who experiences a traumatic experience, as the number of confirmed cases confirms.
If you witness or experience a traumatic event that may well have been a life-threatening situation, it is perfectly normal to experience a wide range of emotions as a result.
Many of us will be affected in some way by a violent or distressing scenario, resulting in feelings that can range from general distress, fear, guilt, anger, shame or complete helplessness. Some of us may feel these emotions for a few days or even a few weeks, before being able to put the incident into some sort of manageable context, but others often feel like they are locked in what could be described as a permanent state of anxiety, which is one of the symptoms associated with PTSD.
U.S. Air Force photo by by Senior Airman Grovert Fuentes-Contreras
Common symptoms
The majority of people who are diagnosed as suffering from PTSD, often display some of the classic symptoms almost immediately after the trauma occurs, while others might find that their problems don’t surface until some months or years afterwards.
One of the common symptoms attached to PTSD is the fact that you find yourself constantly thinking about the traumatic event. Many PTSD sufferers experience regular flashbacks and nightmares, or become upset when something triggers a reminder of the event.
Another symptoms of PTSD involves being on a constant state of alert or on guard. This means that you can be easily angered or startled and unnecessarily obsessed with your safety, which can lead to some physical problems as a result of a lack of a regular sleep pattern.
The need for treatment and support
PTSD can be successfully treated, but you need to understand that a program of treatment and support is critical to achieving a successful recovery, allowing you to move on with your life.
Psychotherapy plays a pivotal role in your recovery and there are a number of different therapies that may be suggested as part of your treatment. These include cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps you to change your thought patterns and the use of cognitive processing therapy, which provides you with help in processing your emotions and challenge your current thinking patterns.
There are also medicines used to combat PTSD, such as serotonin reuptake inhibitors, which help to lower your anxiety and depression levels.
PTSD affects so many more of us than you might think and you could be vulnerable to the condition as a result of a number of different traumatic events. The positive news is that help is out there and you can combat the condition, so that you can start to feel better.
Guest Author :
Sebastian Hardy is a fleet manager who has firsthand experience of PTSD. Often writing about fleet management for business blogs he also delves into some of the lesser known topics relating to auto safety.
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Unlocking the Chains of PTSD: Keys to Help You Feel Like You Again
