Do I Have PTSD?
Experiencing stress is normal. It can be part of everyday life. Even high stress can be a part of normal functioning for some people. Those who thrive working jobs in areas such as a hospital emergency room or a first responder paramedic have an ability to manage higher levels of stress. It is not debilitating for them. Although they may experience and witness stressful situations, this does not necessarily mean they have PTSD.
Typical effects of a stressful situation vary from person to person and are usually short lived. If you are wondering if your experience is more serious and might be categorized as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), here are some guidelines to study.
The definition of PTSD is, “a disorder that develops in some people who have experienced a shocking, scary, or dangerous event.” This means seeing or experiencing a traumatic event and then reliving it in your mind to the point that it interferes with daily functioning and is not going away. Effects vary from person to person and may develop between three months to years after the event. When symptoms persist for more than a month, it is time to seek help. Here are the symptoms to be aware of.
PTSD can arise from any traumatic event.
Researchers have grouped PTSD symptoms into four types:
Intrusive Memories – flashbacks, dreams, reliving of the event, emotional distress, and unwanted memories of the event
Avoidance – avoiding people, places, activities, and conversation about the event
Negative Changes in Thinking and Mood- a sense of hopelessness, memory problems, feeling detached from reality, problems maintaining close relationships, difficulty experiencing positive emotions, feeling numb
Changes in Physical and Emotional Reactions – easily startled, trouble sleeping, irritability, guilt, shame, outbursts, self-harm
Trouble sleeping can be a symptom of PTSD
Treatment can involve prescription medication or may include Prolonged Exposure Therapy. This type of therapy empowers the person to gain control by talking about the event and facing some of the negative feeling associated with it with the guidance of a medical professional. In most cases healing occurs within six months.
Although wartime situations have caused many PTSD diagnosis, it can happen to anyone. Genetics may play a part in determining why some people are affected and others or not. In addition, women are more likely than men to suffer from PTSD and the presence of a social network after the traumatic event has shown to make a positive difference. Still, it is a mental health disorder that some people develop after experiencing or seeing a traumatic event. It may be a life-threatening event, such as combat, or it could be a natural disaster, car accident, sexual assault, or other dangerous circumstance. Then again, it may not be a dangerous event at all. It could be caused by the sudden death of a loved one, for example.
If you are concerned about yourself or someone else and think help for PTSD might be needed, call a counselor immediately. Many people suffer from PTSD and recover. There is real help waiting for you. You owe it to yourself.
The Blissful Heart Wellness Center in Bend has licensed counselors and therapists you may speak with if you believe you have PTSD or simply just need someone to talk to.
The Blissful Heart in Bend is home to counselors and therapists