Thursday, March 28, 2024

Ptsd How Do You Get It

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Following a traumatic event such as a natural disaster, traffic accident, terrorist attack, or assault, almost everyone experiences at least some of the symptoms of PTSD. When your sense of safety and trust are shattered, its normal to feel unbalanced, disconnected, or numb. Its very common to have bad dreams, feel fearful, and find it difficult to stop thinking about what happened. These are normal reactions to abnormal events.

For most people, however, these symptoms are short-lived. They may last for several days or even weeks, but they gradually lift. But if you have post-traumatic stress disorder, the symptoms dont decrease and you dont feel a little better each day. In fact, you may start to feel worse.

What Is A Trauma

A trauma is a stressful event that makes a person fear for their or other people’s life or safety.

Trauma events that can lead to PTSD include:

  • physical or sexual abuse, or assault
  • school or neighborhood violence
  • sudden or forceful loss of a parent
  • arrests, evictions
  • being the target of hate, or threats of harm

An event can be a trauma for someone even if they dont go through the danger themselves. For example, seeing someone else be hurt or die from violence can be a trauma.

Hearing that someone close died by violence or suicide can be a trauma too. The grief can be intense with this type of loss. It is called traumatic grief.

Negative Changes In Thinking And Mood

  • Being down on yourself or other people or the world
  • Feeling an ongoing sense of hopelessness
  • Not remembering things, including important aspects of the event
  • Trouble maintaining relationships or feeling detached from your friends and family
  • Losing interest in activities you used to enjoy
  • Trouble feeling happy

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Treatment For Children And Teenagers With Ptsd

For children and teenagers who are struggling to recover after a traumatic event, the recommended treatment is trauma-focussed cognitive behavioural therapy . This treatment involves:

  • learning about the type of traumatic event experienced and common reactions to trauma
  • teaching how to relax and manage anxiety
  • helping to create a coherent story of the traumatic event, and correct any unhelpful beliefs about the event such as self-blame
  • gradual exposure to trauma-related objects or situations that are feared or avoided
  • helping to get back into everyday activities.

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Alcohol and drug use

Some people who live with PTSD use drugs or alcohol to help manage the symptoms.

Drug or alcohol misuse can make you more unwell, especially is it is excessive. It can make you more likely to try and harm yourself or take your own life.

You can find out more about Drugs, alcohol and mental health by clicking here.

Mental health conditions

Most people who live with PTSD will have at least 1 other mental health condition. The most common conditions are:

  • substance use, and
  • anxiety disorders.

Other mental health conditions have some of the same symptoms as PTSD. This may be why PTSD can sometimes be hard to diagnose.

If you think you may be experiencing PTSD, you can tell your healthcare professional. You can explain that youve been through a trauma, and you think your symptoms might be related to PTSD.

You can find out more about:

  • Depression by clicking here, and
  • Anxiety disorders by clicking here.

Suicidal thoughts

Sometimes PTSD symptoms can be long-lasting and can have a significant impact on day-to-day life. This can sometimes lead to suicidal thoughts.

You can find out more about Suicidal thoughts How to cope by clicking here.

Psychosis

There is a link between PTSD and psychosis. But it isnt known if psychosis is sometimes a symptom of PTSD. Or if it is a separate mental health condition, that can be developed alongside PTSD.

You can find out more about Psychosis by clicking here.

Physical health issues

You can find more information about:

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When To Get Medical Advice

It’s normal to experience upsetting and confusing thoughts after a traumatic event, but most people improve naturally over a few weeks.

You should see a GP if you or your child are still having problems about 4 weeks after the traumatic experience, or if the symptoms are particularly troublesome.

If necessary, your GP can refer you to mental health specialists for further assessment and treatment.

Information For Carers Friends And Relatives

If you are a carer, friend or relative of someone who lives with PTSD, you can get support.

How can I get support?

You can do the following.

  • Speak to your GP about talking therapies and medication for yourself.
  • Speak to your relatives mental health team about a carers assessment or ask for one from your local social services.
  • Join a carers service. They are free and available in most areas.
  • Join a carers support group for emotional and practical support. Or set up your own.

What is a carers assessment?A carers assessment is an assessment of the support that you need so that you can continue in your caring role. You might be able to get support from social services.

You can find out more about Carers assessment Under the Care Act 2014 by clicking here.

How do I get support from my peers?You can get peer support through carer support services or carers groups. You can search for local groups in your area by using a search engine such as Google. You can find all of our peer support groups here: www.rethink.org/help-in-your-area/support-groups/.

You can look on the following websites:

How can I support the person I care for?

You can do the following.

You can find out more about:

  • Supporting someone with a mental illness by clicking here.
  • Responding to unusual thoughts and behaviours by clicking here.
  • Worried about someones mental health by clicking here.
  • Stress How to cope by clicking here.

You can find out more about:

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Talking To Your Loved One About Ptsd Triggers

Ask your loved one about things theyve done in the past to respond to a trigger that seemed to help . Then come up with a joint game plan for how you will respond in future.

Decide with your loved one how you should respond when they have a nightmare, flashback, or panic attack. Having a plan in place will make the situation less scary for both of you. You’ll also be in a much better position to help your loved one calm down.

When To See A Professional

How to Recognize the PTSD Triggers [& Conquer Them] | MedCircle

The debilitating symptoms of PTSD can make living, working, and interacting difficult. In fact, many people struggling with post traumatic stress disorder can turn to unhealthy coping skills like substance abuse or self-harm in an attempt to minimize or escape from their emotional distress.

If you have been experiencing symptoms for longer than a month, it could be helpful for you to talk with a professional. When you are dealing with nightmares, flashbacks, and a negative outlook about yourself and others, it can begin to feel like things will never change.

Finding a qualified professional to help can make all the difference, bringing back hope through the sharing of your experiences and helping you learn healthy, effective ways of coping.

PTSD Discussion Guide

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Where Can I Find More Information On Ptsd

The National Center for PTSD, a program of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, is the leading federal center for research and education on PTSD and traumatic stress. You can find information about PTSD, treatment options, and getting help, as well as additional resources for families, friends, and providers.

Criterion E: Alterations In Arousal And Reactivity

Trauma-related alterations in arousal and reactivity that began or worsened after the traumatic event, including two or more of the following:

  • Irritable or aggressive behavior
  • There are a few changes in the latest version of the DSM regarding PTSD diagnosis.

    Key changes include:

    • More clearly defining what kind of events are considered traumatic in Criterion A
    • Adding a fourth type of exposure in Criterion A
    • Increasing the number of symptom groups from three to four by separating avoidance symptoms into their own group
    • Increasing the number of symptoms from 17 to 20
    • Changing the wording of some of the symptoms from DSM-IV
    • Adding a new set of criteria for children aged 6 or younger
    • Eliminating the “acute” and “chronic” specifiers
    • Introducing a new specifier “with dissociative symptoms

    The biggest change in the DSM-5 is removing PTSD from the category of anxiety disorders and putting it in a classification called “Trauma and Stressor-Related Disorders.”

    You can review the rationale behind these changes, as well as look at other changes in the DSM-5, at the website for the American Psychiatric Association .

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    You Might Gain Weight Particularly Around Your Stomach

    Cortisol has a direct influence of the storage of fats and weight gain in individuals who are going through stress. High cortisol levels are closely linked to relocation of fat to the stomach area : fat cells in the stomach have four times more cortisol receptors compared to fat cells elsewhere. Additionally, excess cortisol can cause excessive eating, and high cravings for sugary and fatty foods, further increasing the likelihood of weight gain.

    Furthermore, PTSD may lead to disturbances in functioning of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the sympathetic nervous system, each of which is involved in regulating a broad range of body processes, including metabolism.

    One PTSD sufferer who began going to the gym commented, When I had PTSD, loosing weight was almost impossible. I was signed off work with PTSD, and Id go to the gym almost every day over a 4 month period I lost 1 pound.

    Of course for some people, they may also lose weight with the fluctuating hormones and cortisol levels.

    How Can I Help A Friend Or Relative Who Has Ptsd

    Infographic : A Helpful Guide to PTSD Triggers

    If you know someone who may be experiencing PTSD, the most important thing you can do is to help that person get the right diagnosis and treatment. Some people may need help making an appointment with their health care provider others may benefit from having someone accompany them to their health care visits.

    If a close friend or relative is diagnosed with PTSD, you can encourage them to follow their treatment plan. If their symptoms do not get better after 6 to 8 weeks, you can encourage them to talk to their health care provider. You also can:

    • Offer emotional support, understanding, patience, and encouragement.
    • Learn about PTSD so you can understand what your friend is experiencing.
    • Listen carefully. Pay attention to the persons feelings and the situations that may trigger PTSD symptoms.

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    Your Digestion May Change

    Youve probably heard the phrase, oh you scared the **** out of me well, its based on truth. PTSD can trigger the release of corticotropin-releasing factor which can have a massive affect on your intestinal function your fear system believes, if you remove any excess weight from your system, it will allow you to flee any dangerous situation quicker hence many animals will poop uncontrollably if they are scared.

    With this CRF remaining in your system over long periods of time as a result of PTSD, it can cause havoc to your digestive system even causing IBS in some people.

    In addition to this, cortisol can be responsible for bloating, gas, indigestion, heartburn, acid reflux and other irritable bowel problems. Excess cortisol erodes the lining of your digestive tract via inflammation, and increased cortisol also inhibits your stomach from digesting foods properly.

    How Do I Talk To Someone Right Now

    If youre a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one, connect with our caring, qualified Veterans Crisis Line responders for confidential help. Many of them are Veterans themselves. This service is private, free, and available 24/7.

    To connect with a Veterans Crisis Line responder anytime day or night:

    • If you have hearing loss, call TTY: .

    You can also:

    • Go to the nearest emergency room.
    • Go directly to your nearest VA medical center. It doesnt matter what your discharge status is or if youre enrolled in VA health care.Find your nearest VA medical center

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    Common Internal Ptsd Triggers

    • Physical discomfort, such as hunger, thirst, fatigue, sickness, and sexual frustration.
    • Any bodily sensation that recalls the trauma, including pain, old wounds and scars, or a similar injury.
    • Strong emotions, especially feeling helpless, out of control, or trapped.
    • Feelings toward family members, including mixed feelings of love, vulnerability, and resentment.

    Further Resources And Information

    VA Claims for PTSD: How to Improve your claim for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

    The Birth Trauma Association helps people who have been traumatised by childbirth.

    Cruse Bereavement Care provides information and support to anyone who has been bereaved. They have information about traumatic bereavement.

    Disaster Action supports people affected by major disasters.

    PTSD Resolution provides counselling to veterans, reservists and their families.

    PTSD UK provides support and information to anyone experiencing PTSD.

    Rape Crisis supports women and girls who have been sexually abused or raped. They also signpost to help for men and boys.

    Victim Support helps people affected by crime. They offer emotional and practical support, no matter how long ago the crime happened.

    References:

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    How Can I Find Help

    The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration provides the Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator, an online resource for locating mental health treatment facilities and programs in your state. For additional resources, visit NIMH’s Help for Mental Illnesses webpage.

    If you or someone you know is in immediate distress or is thinking about hurting themselves, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline toll-free at 1-800-273-TALK . You also can text the Crisis Text Line or use the Lifeline Chat on the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline website.

    Unexpected Physical Symptoms Of Ptsd

    Cortisol is a vital element in our bodies as it converts proteins into usable energy its what gets us out of bed in the morning, and its also used by our bodies for balancing insulin effects to maintain normal sugar levels, regulating the bodies immune system, and regulating blood pressure.

    Produced in the adrenal cortex, cortisol plays a big role is the bodys stress response by shutting down unnecessary functions like reproduction and the immune system, in order to allow the body to direct all energies toward dealing with the stress at hand.

    These functions of cortisol are supposed to be short-lived, just long enough to deal with the offending stressor.Unfortunately, with PTSD, the system remains in a stressed state, and so do the deranged levels of cortisol. People with PTSD and C-PTSD almost always have altered cortisol levels: too high in some people, and too low in others.

    The mind and body connection is very much real, and when you start to suffer mentally, your physical wiring also starts to short-circuit.The prolonged exposure to these unbalanced levels hormones can cause some unexpected, and very inconvenient physical problems.

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    Tip : Reach Out To Others For Support

    PTSD can make you feel disconnected from others. You may be tempted to withdraw from social activities and your loved ones. But it’s important to stay connected to life and the people who care about you. You don’t have to talk about the trauma if you don’t want to, but the caring support and companionship of others is vital to your recovery. Reach out to someone you can connect with for an uninterrupted period of time, someone who will listen when you want to talk without judging, criticizing, or continually getting distracted. That person may be your significant other, a family member, a friend, or a professional therapist. Or you could try:

    Volunteering your time or reaching out to a friend in need. This is not only a great way to connect to others, but can also help you reclaim your sense of control.

    Joining a PTSD support group. This can help you feel less isolated and alone and also provide invaluable information on how to cope with symptoms and work towards recovery.

    How Do I Recognize Ptsd In Myself Or Others

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    With any traumatic event, it is completely normal to feel impacted. However, PTSD symptoms may interfere with the persons ability to function in their normal settings or environment.

    While there are many symptoms of PTSD, they are often dismissed as something other than post-traumatic stress disorder. If symptoms escalate over time, interfere with the ability to go about day-to-day activities, or dont diminish with time, it may be worth talking to someone about the possibility of a PTSD diagnosis.

    When considering if you or a loved one are living with PTSD, its important to remember that the onset of symptoms can show at any time, not just immediately after experiencing trauma. Many people have reported symptoms appearing decades after being exposed to trauma.

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    Are Some People More At Risk Of Ptsd

    Some factors may make you more vulnerable to developing PTSD, or may make the problems you experience more severe, including:

    I was diagnosed by my GP with PTSD a few weeks after the death of my father who died very suddenly, following a family outing to the local pub for lunch. He collapsed in front of us and we had to administer CPR at the scene while waiting for the ambulance. He died later on the way to hospital.

    Anyone can experience traumatic events, but you may be particularly likely to have experienced trauma if you:

    • work in a high-risk occupation, such as the or armed forces
    • are a refugee or asylum seeker
    • were taken into foster care.

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