Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or more commonly known as PTSD, is a condition often portrayed in television and movies by a character experiencing vivid nightmares and intrusive flashbacks. Whereas these portrayals are not incorrect per se, PTSD is a multifaceted diagnosis, which no one person experiences in the same manner. June is PTSD Awareness month, so here are three things you should know:
1. It's more than just stress.
Think back to the last time you felt your heart race, your palms get sweaty, your breath quicken, or your muscles tense. What in your environment caused that reaction for you? Was it another driver drifting into your lane? Or was it raised voices and the threat of a fight? All those physical reactions are your body’s natural way of dealing stressors in your environment, which may be dangerous or traumatic. Your body’s “fight or flight” (or freeze!) system is activated and hormones, such as adrenaline, are pumped into your bloodstream to trigger physical responses that will help a person survive. No one person experiences stress or trauma in the same way and for most people, after time, their brains and bodies regulate naturally. What separates PTSD from this natural stress response is a reoccurring or lasting state of chronic stress, usually lasting more than one month past the event with multiple symptoms present. Some common symptoms of PTSD are flashbacks of the event, trouble sleeping, nightmares, avoidance of certain activities or places, memory loss, hypervigilance and lack of interest in previously enjoyed activities.
2. Different types of events can cause PTSD.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is often spoken about in the context of veterans and active military members and rightfully so. According to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, 11-20% of veterans that served in either Iraq or Afghanistan have experienced PTSD. Military service or seeing combat are not the only events that lead to PTSD. It can occur following any event that is life threatening, scary, or traumatic. For example, someone who has lived through a natural disaster, sexual assault, or experienced the sudden loss of a loved one can experience PTSD.
3. PTSD is treatable.
Experiencing stress is a part of day-to-day life and luckily, we have a built in system meant to help us regulate once the stressor has passed. However, when that system does not regulate as it's supposed to and keeps firing “Danger!” signals to your brain although there is no threat- it doesn’t mean that you are broken. Multiple means of treatment are available and helpful to those experiencing PTSD. Medication, therapy, or a combination of both can often show improvement in symptoms. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in particular has shown to be effective for those battling PTSD. A great deal of research has been done on the remission rates of PTSD and the factors that could help contribute to recovery. One analysis in particular gathered data from over 42 studies and found that the sooner someone receives treatment after a traumatic event, the better their outcome is. Seeking therapy, specifically CBT, soon after a traumatic event can even help prevent Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Awareness and education are some of the first and most important steps to understanding and supporting those experiencing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. You can help the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs raise awareness for PTSD treatment through a series of mini challenges for each day of June. Take the pledge today!