What is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?
PTSD is a condition that occurs in people who have experienced one or more traumatic events. This can include a car accident, natural disaster, violence, or sexual assault.
PTSD can occur in anyone; however, women are twice as likely as men to develop PTSD. Veterans of war also have an increased risk of developing PTSD.
What are the common symptoms of PTSD?
There are four categories of PTSD symptoms:
Re-experiencing symptoms
- Flashbacks
- Reoccurring memories or dreams related to the traumatic event
- Distressing thoughts
- Physical signs of stress, including difficulty or rapid breathing, sweating, rapid heartbeat, or flushing of the skin
Avoidance symptoms
- Avoiding external cues that remind of the event, including certain people, places, and activities
- Actively avoiding distressing thoughts and feelings related to the traumatic event
Arousal reactivity symptoms
- Difficulty concentrating
- Sleep disturbances, including difficulty falling or staying asleep, excessive sleep, or reduced quality of sleep
- Engaging in risky behavior
- Feeling on edge
Cognition and mood symptoms
- Feelings of isolation and estrangement from others
- Blocking out or difficulty remembering important parts of the traumatic event
- Difficulty feeling positive emotions
- Negative emotions, such as fear, guilt, or shame
How is PTSD diagnosed?
PTSD is diagnosed through a combination of self-reporting and physical examinations or psychological evaluations.
Mental health clinicians, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, or social worker often are the main point of contact for individuals experiencing symptoms of PTSD.
Open and honest communication with your clinician is essential for an accurate diagnosis. PTSD may be diagnosed when symptoms last for at least a month or more after a traumatic event. While some symptoms can resolve within a few months, others may continue for years.
What are common treatments for PTSD?
- Medication may be considered for PTSD. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as Zoloft (sertraline) and and Paxil (paroxetine), are considered first-line medications for PTSD., are considered first-line medications for PTSD. These medications can be effective in reducing the symptoms associated with PTSD and may help with other co-morbid conditions, including depression and anxiety.
- Therapy is tailored to the patient’s needs and can help build coping skills, communication, and self-awareness to manage stress and emotions. Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) may be used to help discuss and process trauma. For patients with PTSD, therapy can provide a sense of support and security, crisis management, and help with acceptance of the traumatic event that occurred.
