My dad has post traumatic stress disorder
My dad is a retired army officer and is always having nightmares; and is always depressed. Our family doctor diagnosed him with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Please shed light on it? Kenneth V. Thanks Kenneth for your question and wishing your dad speedy recovery. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a “mental health condition that’s triggered […]
My dad is a retired army officer and is always having nightmares; and is always depressed. Our family doctor diagnosed him with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Please shed light on it?
Kenneth V.
Thanks Kenneth for your question and wishing your dad speedy recovery. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a “mental health condition that’s triggered by a terrifying event, either experiencing it or witnessing it. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event.”
What are the symptoms?
PTSD symptoms are generally grouped into four types: intrusive memories, avoidance, negative changes in thinking and mood, and changes in physical and emotional reactions.
Intrusive memories?
Symptoms of intrusive memories may include:
1.Recurrent, unwanted distressing memories of the traumatic event
2.Reliving the traumatic event as if it were happening again (flashbacks)
3.Upsetting dreams or nightmares about the traumatic event
4.Severe emotional distress or physical reactions to something that reminds you of the traumatic event.
Avoidance?
Symptoms of avoidance may include:
1.Trying to avoid thinking or talking about the traumatic event
2.Avoiding places, activities or people that remind you of the traumatic event
Negative changes in thinking and mood:
• Symptoms of negative changes in thinking and mood may include:
• Negative thoughts about other people or the world
• Hopelessness about the future
• Memory problems, including not remembering important aspects of the traumatic event
• Difficulty maintaining close relationships
• Feeling detached from family and friends
• Lack of interest in activities you once enjoyed
• Difficulty experiencing positive emotions and feeling emotionally numb
Changes in physical and emotional reactions ?
Symptoms of changes in physical and emotional reactions (also called arousal symptoms) may include:
1.Being easily startled or frightened
2. Always being on guard for danger
3. Self-destructive behavior, such as drinking too much or driving too fast
4. Trouble sleeping
5. Trouble concentrating
6. Irritability, angry outbursts or aggressive behavior
7. Overwhelming guilt or shame
PTSD symptoms can vary in intensity over time. You may have more PTSD symptoms when you’re stressed in general, or when you come across reminders of what you went through. For example, you may hear a car backfire and relive combat experiences.
Causes
• Stressful experiences, including the amount and severity of trauma one has gone through in your life
• Inherited mental health risks, such as a family history of anxiety and depression
• Inherited features of personality often called temperament
Risk factors
People of all ages can have post-traumatic stress disorder. However, some factors may make one more likely to develop PTSD after a traumatic event, such as:
•Experiencing intense or long-lasting trauma
•Having experienced other trauma earlier in life, such as childhood abuse
• Having a job that increases your risk of being exposed to traumatic events, such as military personnel and first responders
• Having other mental health problems, such as anxiety or depression
• Having problems with substance misuse, such as excess drinking or drug use
• Lacking a good support system of family and friends
• Having blood relatives with mental health problems, including anxiety or depression
The most common events leading to the development of PTSD include:
• Childhood physical abuse
• Sexual violence
• Physical assault
• Being threatened with a weapon
• An accident
•Many other traumatic events also can lead to PTSD, such as fire, natural disaster, mugging, robbery, plane crash, torture, kidnapping, life-threatening medical diagnosis, terrorist attack, and other extreme or life-threatening events.
Complications
• Depression and anxiety
• Issues with drugs or alcohol use
• Eating disorders and suicidal thoughts and actions
Prevention
• Getting timely help and support may prevent normal stress reactions from getting worse and developing into PTSD. This may mean turning to family and friends who will listen and offer comfort. It may mean seeking out a mental health professional for a brief course of therapy. Some people may also find it helpful to turn to their faith community.
• Support from others also may help prevent you from turning to unhealthy coping methods, such as misuse of alcohol or drugs.