What is PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)?
PTSD is a mental illness or condition that happens to a person after experiencing a traumatic event. It may make the subject feel Guilty, fearful, shocked or scared. This disorder has several other factors, such as unwanted memories, negative self-image, hypervigilance, self-isolation, self-destructive behaviour, emotional distress, etc.
Many people may experience a range of reactions after trauma, and most people recover from initial symptoms over time. Those who continue to experience problems may be diagnosed with PTSD. It affects between 7-8% of the population but this is more likely to affect women than men because women are emotionally very weak than men.
Symptoms
Various symptoms alert a person about disorders or diseases Fearful thoughts, Refusal to discuss the event, Reduced interest in life, Anger outbursts, avoidance of things, and Difficulty in concentration. It also has physical symptoms like sweating, headaches, dizziness, chest pain, stomach problems and infection due to a weak immune system.
Causes (Due to a traumatic event)
PTSD is mainly caused due to some traumatic event. Some of the causes are natural disasters, serious accidents, loss the loved ones, any kind of abuse, personal assault, being a victim of any crime and life-threatening incidents. This causes several other condition like acute stress disorder, adjustment disorder and disinhibited social engagement disorder.
Treatment
1. Cognitive processing therapy (CPT) – In this subject learns how to think in a new way.
2. Prolonged exposure therapy – People are taught how to approach their feelings and thoughts about the incident.
3. Medication – Sertraline, Fluoxetine, Paroxetine, etc.
4. Self help – spending time with family & friends, meditation, participating in activities, listening quiet music.
Changes in our Brain
• The Amygdala
Fear induced by trauma, now hyper sensitized to danger now, everything becomes a threat. This may increase size of the amygdala.
• The Hippocampus
In this short-term memory is converted into long-term memory and more likely to shrink.
• The Prefrontal Cortex
Blood flow of the left side may decrease with less ability form language and memory. On the right side blood flow increase causing more sorrow and anger.
This article has been written by a student of mine,
Ananya class XI
I am happy to have her work featured here and eagerly anticipate your insights and comments on the same.