Yesterday, June 27, was National PTSD Awareness Day.
What is PTSD?
PTSD stands for post-traumatic stress disorder. It is a mental health diagnosis that is found in the "Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders" section in the diagnostic book for psychiatric conditions. PTSD involves the "exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence" in any of the following ways: directly experiencing the event, witnessing the event, learning that the event happened to a close loved one, or experiencing repeated or extreme exposure to details of the events. This last one can be seen for professionals who may hear, witness, or help those who have experienced traumatic events.
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What are the symptoms?
Reoccuring, intrusive distressing memories of the event.
Distressing dreams in which the make-up is related to the traumatic event.
Dissociation-type reactions such as flashbacks or feeling outside of their body. When flashbacks occur, they take a person back to the traumatic event in some form. Ex. they may hear a loud sound and feel like the same way they were feeling during an attack.
Intense or prolonged psychological distress related to reminders of the event
Body function reactions (increased heart rate, breathing, sweating) to reminders of the event.
Avoidance of things that remind of the traumatic event (memories, people, places, things)
Negative alterations in thinking or mood (inability to remember details of event, negative beliefs about oneself or other people/places, distorted beliefs about the cause of the event (blames self), consistent feelings of anger, guilt, fear, decreased interest in other activities, feeling detached from others, difficulty feeling positive emotions.
Being hyperaware of surroundings, irritable or angry outbursts, increased startle responses, difficulty concentrating, difficulty sleeping.
Disruption in school, work, family, relationships, health.
Symptoms must last longer than one month.
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Who experiences PTSD?
Anyone can experience PTSD. There is some research to state that some people may be more likely to develop the condition based on their genetics. However, even those that may be more susceptible may never develop PTSD if they do not experience a traumatic event. As you can see in the picture (courtesy of the IG accounts of @miss_mental0 and @drshainna), not just soldiers can experience PTSD. People such as mental health professionals, nurses, doctors, EMT's, firefighters, police, probation, correctional officers, child protective services, older adult protective services, coroners, and funeral home staff, may be at increased risk due to their employment functions. However, anyone who loses a loved one, experienced a natural disaster, racism, discrimination, assault, been in a car accident, had a loved one who had to be administered Narcan, been a victim of a crime, etc. can develop PTSD. People could be developing PTSD from this pandemic.
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What types of help are available?
There are support groups available, which can often be found through your local NAMI organization or the national site. You can also seek out mental health treatment in the form of a one-on-one counselor and/or psychiatrist. Some places are offering specialized trauma therapy. There are also places that offer animal-assisted interventions such as equine therapy. Persons with PTSD could also be set-up with a service dog. Practices such as yoga, meditation, mindfulness, journaling, as well as exercise routines may also be recommended.
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According to NAMI, suicide risk increases with PTSD or a trauma history.
Please call the hotline 1-800-273-8255 or text "help" to 741741. Veterans can also go to veteranscrisisline.net. Police can call 1-800-267-5463. Survivors of sexual assault or rape can call 1-800-656-4673.
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Sources: (DSM-5 APA, 2013; NAMI)
Photo Credit: @miss_mental0, @drshainna
Stay tuned for a post tomorrow about a recommendation related to the topic of PTSD.