What is PTSD or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and how can it help the family of the victim? This is a question that has many sufferers asking, since more than one third of our population has some kind of traumatic stress disorder in their history. And although it seems very simple, the answer to this question may surprise you.
So what is PTSD and how does it affect the victim? This disorder is not easy to define because there are so many definitions available for it. One of the most widely accepted ones is that PTSD is an anxiety or psychological condition that results from experiencing a sudden and severe threat where there was no danger beforehand. It is usually experienced when the victim is in grave danger and they have difficulty stopping the feelings of fear and panic in their system. These feelings of panic and fear will then affect the sufferer’s everyday life and prevent them from carrying out their normal functions in their lives.
The intensity and the duration of the symptoms can vary from patient to patient and they can even develop over time without the patient ever experiencing any traumatic events in his life. The causes of this disorder are still under study and not yet understood completely. Although there is some evidence pointing to the possible genetics of some patients with PTSD, there is also the possibility of experiencing the disorder after traumas such as abuse or accidents that include serious injury. However, most patients do experience the symptoms after they have experienced a traumatic event and most often these events happen in the patient’s childhood. The only common factor between all those who have suffered from PTSD is that they are all victims and that they all suffer from the trauma of experiencing a tragic event in their childhood.
Symptoms of this disorder can be classified into two, the negative and the positive. While some symptoms can help a patient cope with the disorder, there are others that may trigger the development of PTSD and make it worse. Some of these symptoms are: avoidance of familiar places, isolation, avoiding contact with family or friends, nightmares that seem to come true and constant thoughts of dying, suicide and death.
Several studies have shown that PTSD can lead to the development of anxiety disorders and depressive disorders in patients who are already suffering from one. Therefore, if you have a family member who is undergoing treatment for any form of mental or emotional problem, you must encourage them to go to therapy and seek help as well. This will help the entire family deal with the trauma and depression that has been suffered either through the traumatic incident or the ongoing problem. For children, PTSD therapy can be very useful as this disorder can affect their behavior and emotions, especially if they are experiencing severe trauma at home.
With regards to medications, the most commonly prescribed medications for patients with PTSD are antidepressants. However, counseling is also essential so that the patient is able to cope with stress. A family therapist can provide the necessary support and education that will help the patient deal with the stress and anxiety caused by the disorder. With regard to therapies, several methods are available and they include: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure Therapy (ET), Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), and Psychodynamic Therapy (PTSD). Of these, the EFT is the most popular due to its highly effective results.
A patient can benefit a lot from receiving PTSD therapy regardless of whether he is an adult or a child. When the patient goes through exposure therapy, he will be confronted with the things that he remembers particularly worrisome him in the past. The family member should try to make the patient focus on the present and avoid pointing out what he or she did wrong during the past. The child should also be taught how to lead his life without fear and to accept help from others if needed.
Another important aspect of PTSD therapy is related to the patient’s capability to form new and positive relationships. The therapist should help the patient develop skills that will help him build confidence and to avoid isolating himself from others. Children usually have trouble dealing with peer pressure and when such a situation arises, it will help the child learn to trust adults and to be more open about his/her problems. Proper education, training, and guidance will also help the child adapt to his new environment and deal with any emotional or behavioral challenges that might arise as a result of living with the disorder.