Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition triggered by either experiencing or witnessing a terrifying event. Many people go through traumatic events but they don’t get PTSD. For these people they get better with time, help and self-care. But for some people they will and do get PTSD and the symptoms get worse or last for months or even years and interfere with their lives. For these people getting effective treatment for PTSD is critical.

Types of PTSD and their Symptoms

There are five main types of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These are Normal stress response, Acute stress disorder, Uncomplicated PTSD, Co-morbid PTSD (PTSD occurs with another psychiatric disorders) and Complex PTSD.

Normal Stress Response

A healthy adult is exposed to a single traumatic event in adulthood. Recovery is usually found in a few weeks. Therapy sessions may be needed and they can be helpful here so the person can talk about their experience and the therapist can help them identify positive ways of coping. The symptoms include:

• Experience intense bad memories
• Emotional numbing
• Feelings of unreality
• Being cut off from relationships
• Bodily tension
• Distress

Acute Stress disorder

Acute stress disorder is rarely experienced by a person (adult or child) from a single traumatic event unless it has resulted from a death, destruction, loss of home or community. Therapy is important with acute stress disorder and medication may also be needed to support the person with their anxiety or insomnia. The symptoms include:

• Panic reactions
• Mental confusion
• Dissociation
• Severe insomnia
• Be very suspicious of others
• Unable to manage even basic self care, work, and relationship activities.

Uncomplicated PTSD

Uncomplicated PTSD is simply PTSD with no co-occurring conditions. It is treated with therapy including CBT (cognitive Behavioural Therapy), group therapy may also be used and probably medication to help the individual with anxiety, sleep issues, etc. Uncomplicated PTSD symptoms include:

• Persistent re-experiencing of the traumatic event (flashbacks)
• Avoidance of stimuli associated with the trauma
• Emotional numbing
• Hyper-arousal (the body is in an increased state of anxiety)

Co-morbid PTSD

Co-morbid PTSD is more common than uncomplicated PTSD. It occurs when PTSD exists alongside other psychiatric disorders. These might include depression, alcohol or substance abuse, panic disorder, and other anxiety disorders. Treatment is better achieved if all the conditions are treated together and this will include therapy and medication. Group therapy, 12 step groups may run alongside individual therapy and may include CBT, psychotherapy, etc. Medication will be used to treat anxiety, depression or other psychiatric disorders as needed. The symptoms will be the same as uncomplicated PTSD but with the addition of the symptoms for the particular psychiatric disorder.

Complex PTSD

Complex PTSD (sometimes called “Disorder of Extreme Stress” or chronic PTSD) is found in individuals who have experienced prolonged or repeated traumatic events. These may have occurred in childhood e.g. sexual or physical abuse or neglect, or in adults e.g. veterans or domestic violence survivors. People with complex PTSD may also be diagnosed with borderline or antisocial personality disorder or dissociative disorders. Treatment will take longer as progression may be slower but recovery is possible. Treatment requires sensitivity and is usually given by a specialist or more likely group of specialists and is highly structured. Symptoms can include:

• Behavioural difficulties e.g. impulsivity, aggression, sexual acting out, eating disorders, alcohol or drug abuse, and self-destructive actions
• Extreme emotional difficulties e.g. experiencing intense rage, depression, or panic
• Mental difficulties e.g. experiencing fragmented thoughts, dissociation, and amnesia

Symptoms Of PTSD In General

Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms can start within three months of the event but sometimes may not appear for years afterwards. There are four types of PTSD symptoms: intrusive memories, avoidance, negative changes in thinking and mood, or changes in emotional reactions.

Intrusive memories

These may include:

• Recurrent and unwanted distressing memories of the event
• Flashbacks of the event
• Upsetting dreams about the event
• Severe emotional distress or physical reactions to something else that reminds you of event

Avoidance

May include:

• Avoidant thinking or talking about the event
• Avoiding places, activities or people that remind you of event

Negative changes in thinking and mood

These can include:

• Negative feelings about yourself and or others
• Unable to experience positive emotions or always focused on negative ones
• Feeling numbness around emotions
• Lack of interest in activities you may have liked
• Feeling hopelessness about the future
• Difficulty remembering aspects of the event itself
• Close relationships may be difficult to maintain, if any at all

Changes in emotional reactions

May include:

• Irritability
• Angry outbursts
• Always being hyper-aroused – looking for dangers of any kind – easily startled or frightened
• May feel overcome by guilt or shame
• Self-destructive behaviours
• Lack of concentration or ability to sleep
• Being stressed may cause symptoms to vary

When to see a doctor and specialist

If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts please seek immediate attention from a doctor or call 999/112/911 depending on your locality in the world.

If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms after a traumatic event it is important to seek help. Resources are available to help you.

Causes of PTSD

We do not know for sure why some people get PTSD and others don’t. We do know that as with some mental health disorders there are risk factors involved. You don’t have to have been in a combat zone or a veteran to experience PTSD. Many people experience life changing/altering events that lead to trauma and PTSD such as: sexual abuse or assault, domestic violence, experience or see a serious injury or life-threatening events.

Complications

PTSD can and does disrupt your life: your job, your relationships and your health. It can give rise to depression and anxiety, increase the use of drugs or alcohol, you may develop an eating disorder or suicidal thoughts. Whatever has happened in your life to give you PTSD it is unfair but help is at hand so please reach out.