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If you’ve been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder., it’s necessary to be proactive about treatment if you want to reduce or minimize your symptoms. Often, people with PTSD wait too long to seek help, which can make it even more difficult to begin the process of recovery. Some common treatments for PTSD include therapy, medication, and lifestyle adjustments, or a combination of all three. Still, it can be hard to identify specific PTSD symptoms, especially if you don’t know what to look for. If you want to educate yourself, read on to learn about the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.
What are the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder?
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to a terrifying event or ordeal in which severe physical harm occurred or was threatened. People with PTSD may experience flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, severe anxiety, and a generally inconsistent or unstable mental state. PTSD can make it difficult to continue with daily life. People with PTSD may have problems sleeping, eating, and concentrating. They may feel detached or estranged from others, and be unable to experience positive emotions.
There are many different symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. Some symptoms include reliving the traumatic event, avoiding anything that reminds you of the event, feeling constantly on edge, and experiencing intense and unpredictable emotions. PTSD can make it difficult to function in everyday life, and can cause significant distress. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is essential to seek guidance from a professional that can put together a treatment plan to improve your mental health and overall quality of life.
Typically, mental health treatment is required to begin recovery and manage the effect of PTSD symptoms on a patient’s everyday life. Therapy can be extremely beneficial for people with PTSD. Therapists can help you understand and manage your symptoms, and they can provide support and guidance as you work through your trauma. If you are considering therapy, it is important to find a therapist who is knowledgeable about PTSD and who understands the challenges that come with this condition. It may also be useful to find a therapist with experience in trauma.
What can cause PTSD?
There is no one cause for PTSD, though the most prevalent factor is exposure to a traumatic event. This could be a car accident, natural disaster, sexual assault, combat, or any other situation in which a person experiences intense fear, horror, or helplessness. Research indicates that people who are more prone to anxiety or depression may be more likely to develop PTSD. Your genes can even play a part, as some people may be more at risk for developing PTSD due to their genetic makeup. Drugs, alcohol, and the presence of multiple stressors can all elevate your likelihood of being diagnosed with PTSD.
PTSD can affect different parts of the brain, depending on the person. For example, it can affect the limbic system, which is responsible for emotions and memories, or the frontal lobe, which primarily handles decision-making. Additionally, PTSD can affect the hypothalamus, which regulates stress hormones, and the amygdala, which controls your body’s fear and anxiety responses. The amygdala is also the area of the brain that is responsible for the body’s “fight or flight” instinct, which is often overactive in individuals suffering from PTSD.
PTSD can be a very complex condition which often requires a comprehensive treatment strategy. Often, people with PTSD will benefit from a combination of different treatments, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure therapy, and medication. The best place to start is by connecting with a mental health professional who can evaluate you and make treatment recommendations. Being consistent in following your treatment plan and making healthy lifestyle choices will be necessary if you want to succeed.
