Home Β» PTSD. Living through any traumatic event is difficult. But for people with PTSD, it feels impossible to let go of those memories or feelings.
When your symptoms affect your daily routine, and your illness interferes with your relationships, it may be time to talk with a mental health professional. PTSD is a challenging and sometimes devastating mental health condition that includes many possible symptoms. It typically centers around a traumatic experience. You may have directly experienced that trauma or witnessed the event happening to someone else. Some people develop PTSD when they learn about the violent or unexpected death of a family member or friend.
Examples of trauma include war zone exposure, physical or sexual assault, natural disasters, serious accidents, terrorist attacks, and child sexual or physical abuse. The illness can occur soon after the event, or it can start later. Symptoms may come and go over many years.
PTSD affects people differently, even if two people experienced the exact same traumatic event at the same time. But there are four types of symptoms that are common to most people with PTSD:. PTSD is not a one-size-fits-all diagnosis, so your treatment plan should be customized to meet your unique needs. Both psychotherapy and medication have been shown to be effective in treating PTSD.
Medication may include antidepressants, while anti-anxiety medications may help ease symptoms in the short-term. It helps people face and control their fear through safe exposure to the memory, and it also helps people challenge their recollection of the event, as well as ongoing negative thought patterns. Other treatment for PTSD may include group therapy, which can help lessen feelings of shame and reduce feelings of helplessness. Mindfulness training and holistic therapies, like yoga and art therapy, are also effective for treating PTSD.
