Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is classified as an anxiety disorder characterised by feelings of anxiety or panic that result from a major emotional shock following a stressful event i.e. a trauma.  PTSD can be brought on by being involved in or witnessing distressing situations such as:

• war
• a major accident
• a natural disaster (bush fire, flood or cyclone)
• violence and sexual, physical, emotional or verbal abuse 
• being neglected or abandoned
• trauma associated with having a chronic illness (e.g. being isolated in hospital for long periods, experiencing unpleasant medical procedures).

The symptoms of PTSD include: 

• flashbacks e.g. upsetting intrusive thoughts about a distressing event
• nightmares
• difficulty sleeping 
• loss of interest in activities the person used to find enjoyable
• feeling on edge/irritable 
• being very alert and easily startled
• difficulty concentrating 
• finding it hard to remember parts of the traumatic event

What are the causes?

Traumatic memories come back because people have not been able to make sense of what has happened to them. Traumatic events often make people question their own mortality and their beliefs that the world is a safe place. Sensory experiences like a smell or sound may bring back a flood of memories, which happened many years ago, producing an anxiety like response.

How is PTSD treated?

Treatment for PTSD may involve therapy and/or medication.  There are different therapies that can be applied to PTSD and are used to make sense of the traumatic events experienced by an individual. Treatment might involve learning ways of coping with the feelings connected to memories and better skills to understand and manage these feelings.

Source of information: beyondblue

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