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Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
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Programs and Services
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
If you have gone through a traumatic event, it is normal to feel many emotions. These include distress, fear, helplessness, guilt, shame and anger. You may start to feel better after days or weeks. Sometimes, however, these feelings don’t go away. If the symptoms last for more than a month, you may have post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD.
PTSD may occur after someone is exposed to an extreme traumatic event that poses a threat of death or serious injury to him or herself or others. This can include seeing someone else go through a traumatic event or hearing about the sudden or violent death of a loved one. PTSD is a real problem that can happen to anyone at any age. If you have PTSD, you are not alone. It affects nearly eight million American adults.
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To schedule an appointment with a mental health provider trained in helping people who experienced trauma, speak with your healthcare provider or call the Trauma Center at 414-805-8623.
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Who can get PTSD?Anyone who was a victim, witnessed or has been exposed to a life-threatening situation can get PTSD. Examples include:
- Survivors of violent acts, such as physical attacks, domestic violence, rape and sexual, physical and/or verbal abuse
- Survivors of sudden dangerous events, such as a car crash, natural disaster or terrorist attack
- Combat veterans or civilians exposed to war
- People who have heard of or experienced a sudden death of a friend or relative
- Emergency responders who help victims during traumatic events
- Children who are neglected and/or physically, sexually or verbally abused.
What are the symptoms of PTSD?Most trauma survivors experience many normal responses. For some, their personal resources and capacities may grow, and their relationships may strengthen. Many trauma survivors, however, experience reactions during and after trauma that concern them. This is especially the case when the event was caused by human action or included horror or loss of life. There are numerous symptoms of PTSD.
Repeatedly thinking about the trauma. You may have thoughts about the trauma even when you don’t want to. You might also have nightmares or flashbacks about the trauma or may become upset when something reminds you of the event.
Being constantly alert or on guard. You may be easily startled or angered, irritable or anxious (especially when thinking about the traumatic experience) and focused on staying safe. You may find it hard to concentrate or sleep. You may also have physical problems like constipation, diarrhea, rapid breathing, muscle tension or rapid heart rate.
Avoiding reminders of the trauma. You may not want to talk about the event or be around people or places that remind you of the event. You also may feel emotionally numb, detached from friends and family, and lose interest in activities.
Other symptoms of PTSD include:
- Panic attacks: a feeling of intense fear, with shortness of breath, dizziness, sweating, nausea and racing heart
- Physical symptoms: chronic pain, headaches, stomach pain, diarrhea, tightness or burning in the chest, muscle cramps or low back pain
- Feelings of mistrust: losing trust in others and thinking the world is a dangerous place
- Problems in daily living: having problems doing your job, at school or in social situations
- Substance abuse: using drugs or alcohol to cope with the emotional pain
- Relationship problems: having problems with intimacy or feeling detached from your family and friends
- Depression: persistent sadness, anxious or empty mood, loss of interest in once-enjoyed activities, feelings of guilt and shame, hopelessness about the future or other symptoms of depression
- Suicidal thoughts: thoughts about taking one’s own life; if you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
After the end of a traumatic event, if these normal experiences do not slowly improve, if they worsen with time, or if they cause difficulties in relationships or work, it is helpful to find professional support. People considering therapy should select a trained mental health professional who is knowledgeable about trauma.
How can I feel better?PTSD can be treated successfully. Although your memories won’t go away, you can learn how to manage your response to these memories and the feelings they bring up. You can also reduce the number and strength of your reactions. The following information may be helpful to you.
Treatment for PTSD
It may seem painful to face the trauma you went through. Doing so with the help of a mental health professional can help decrease distress. There are different types of therapy that have proven to be effective at reducing distress. Today, mental health professionals use a variety of treatment methods.
To schedule an appointment with a mental health provider trained in helping people who experienced trauma, speak with your healthcare provider or call the Trauma Center at 414-805-8623.
Self-careRecovering from PTSD is an ongoing process. There are healthy steps you can take to help you recover and stay well. Discover which ones help you feel better and add them to your life.
Connect with friends and family. It’s easy to feel alone when you’ve been through a trauma and are not feeling well. But isolation can make you feel worse. Talking to your friends and family can help you get the support you need. Studies show that having meaningful social and family connections in your life can have a positive impact on your health and healing.
Relax. Each person has his or her own ways to relax. They may include listening to soothing music, reading a book or taking a walk. You can also relax by deep breathing, yoga, meditation or massage therapy. Avoid using drugs, alcohol or smoking to relax.
Exercise. Exercise relieves your tense muscles, improves your mood and sleep, and boosts your energy and strength. Research shows that exercise can also ease symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Get enough rest. Getting enough sleep helps you cope with your problems better, lowers your risk for illness and helps you recover from the stresses of the day. Try to get seven to nine hours of sleep each night.
Keep a journal. Writing down your thoughts can be a great way to work through issues. Researchers have found that writing about painful events can reduce stress and improve health.
Refrain from taking drugs and alcohol. Although using drugs and alcohol may seem to help you cope, they can make your symptoms worse, delay your treatment and recovery, and cause abuse or addiction problems.
Limit caffeine. Caffeine can often trigger anxiety and may also disturb your sleep.
Limit TV watching. If watching the news or other programs bothers you, limit the amount of time you watch. Try not to listen to disturbing news before going to sleep. It might keep you from falling asleep right away.
Last Review Date: Feb. 3, 2010 Online Editor(s): Richard Petre |
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