Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is identified by a person experiencing a frightening event and having a challenging time passing it. It impacts the person frequently, to the point they cannot function. It can cause changes in our state of mind, sleep disturbances as well as other psychological indications that might result after having a traumatic event in one’s life. The specific people struggling with this kind of problem have their health impacted in a drastic way; sadly, several will even commit suicide. Nevertheless, treatment of PTSDis easily offered, and it has been confirmed to decrease signs as well as assist the person in treating the condition.
Signs of PTSD
- Continuous stressful memories of the event that re-occur as well as are unwanted
- Psychological distress or responses to something that reminds you of the occasion
- Dreams or nightmares that are distressing
- Reliving the occasion repetitively
- Avoiding areas that remind you of the occasion
- Negative thoughts concerning yourself and your future
- Despondence as well as negative thoughts
- Feeling numb or unemotional
- No passion in activities that you one enjoyed
- Removed from good friends or family members
- Stunned or frightened easily
- Difficulty focusing
- Difficulty with resting
- Shame or guilty sensations
Treatment of PTSD
While prescription medications have been determined to be beneficial in individuals battling post-traumatic stress disorder, this alone cannot treat the symptoms related to PTSD. Other forms of treatment will be necessary to help handle the sensations as well as emotions that border a person’s post-traumatic stress disorder and the terrible event that happened.
Many medical professionals and therapists recommend a mix of therapy and sometimes prescription medicines to help the individual regain control of some of their everyday life. There are a variety of resources offered and the individual must understand that they are not alone. With that being stated, it is also vital to keep in mind that a remedy for PTSD generally takes time. There is no overnight treatment for this condition, and a few may never completely get rid of the symptoms and signs. Treatment will help reduce the symptoms as well as allow the individual to get their life back.
Most treatments of PTSD will be defined under the “cognitive behavioral therapy” approaches. The various sorts of therapy will certainly be dependent on the situation that the person underwent and what their symptoms are.
Kinds of Treatment of PTSD
Long Term Exposure Treatment
Prolonged direct exposure treatment helps an individual gradually overcome the feelings and emotions that are connected with a terrible event. Usually, treatment is offered over a period of time, typically a few months with regular therapy sessions.
“Therapists begin with an overview of treatment and understanding the patient’s past experiences. Therapists continue with psychoeducation and then will generally teach a breathing technique to manage anxiety.”
After an assessment is done, normally the person will begin to have stress and anxiety due to the conversation of the traumatic event. During this process, the therapist will be able to determine the very best approaches to treat the feelings and also anxiousness occurring.
Cognitive Processing Therapy
CPT is a kind of therapy that is utilized to help a person to recognize as well as cope with the challenges that are connected pertaining to their unsettled event. It is typically carried out over 12 treatment sessions with a certified expert therapist as well as allows the individual to establish new understanding and concept recognition around their stressful event to decrease the symptoms that the person experiences.
“The patient becomes more aware of the relationship between thoughts and emotions and begins to identify “automatic thoughts” that may be maintaining the PTSD symptoms.”
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).
A sort of psychotherapy that is used to reduce the unfavorable signs and symptoms connected with a stressful event. Performed to ‘re-train’ your brain to allow negative thoughts to be reformed.
“After successful treatment with EMDR therapy, affective distress is relieved, negative beliefs are reformulated, and physiological arousal is reduced. During EMDR therapy the client attends to emotionally disturbing material in brief sequential doses while simultaneously focusing on an external stimulus. “
Prescription Medications
Selective serotonin reuptake preventions (SSRI’s) have been recognized to help reduce the negative signs and symptoms of PTSD by allowing the chemicals in a person’s brain to be altered.
“These medications can help symptoms of depression and anxiety. They can also help improve sleep problems and concentration.”
Due to the potential for abuse, antidepressants as well as anti-anxiety drugs are only to be used for a short amount of time to treat clinical depression and also anxiousness.
Stress Inoculation Training
SIT training acts similarly as a vaccine acts to treat a condition, by subjecting the body to it and also allowing the body to find out just how to react and also handle it. During therapy sessions, the individual will be subjected to triggers, signs or triggers and prepare them to handle these particular symptoms and situations.
“By exposing you to milder forms of stress, your confidence is boosted so that you can respond quickly and effectively when trauma-related cues occur.”
Success of These Therapies
Every one of these strategies for treatment of PTSD have been proven to be effective in dealing with the signs of PTSD in people, but some may be better than others. All depends on the specific condition and intensity of the symptoms they are experiencing.
For some individuals, they may not like to be actively confronting the triggers and also feelings they have surrounding their trauma and uncovering the feelings about what occurred to them. If this is the case, SIT might be a better fit for their treatment. For others, CPT as well as exposure treatment may be the best option for their situation.
Getting help right away for PTSD is crucial to a person’s success in getting assistance. If you or someone you know is struggling with PTSD, reach out for help as soon as possible. The best therapy is available for you or your loved one.