The final in our month long mental health awareness drive!

Post-Truamtic Stress Disorder An Educational Bite-sized Magazine from Essential Grace Magazine Š2020

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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a condition that may develop after a person has experienced or witnessed a traumatic experience.

This can be a bad accident, violence, assault, death of a loved one, serious injury, or sexual violence.

A person with PTSD may suffer from disturbing symptoms for a long time after the traumatic event itself. They may have intrusive thoughts, vivid flashbacks, a sense of detachment from people, and negative emotions.

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Types of PTSD PTSD

Complex PTSD

Is based on the post-

Involves the same

traumatic symptoms themselves. That

symptoms as PTSD in

includes nightmares, flashback, hypersensitivity, paranoia,

• A change in self-

emotional outbursts, and so forth.

• How they perceive their

PTSD changes the way a person thinks, behaves, and believes. It is not a matter of simply getting over a bad thing that happened, it can be a constant battle to reclaim a sense of security and peace after trauma.

• Changes in how they see

addition to these factors: concept/how they see themselves attacker or the traumatic event. their morals and values • Their faith in God or any spiritual belief system Complex PTSD can change the way person sees the

Many people have some world and challenge any symptoms of PTSD at varying hope they had in the world degrees. It may be more evident in some more than being a good or safe space. others. However, this condition has a mostly a silent yet damaging impact on a person and in most cases those around them as well.

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Some common symptoms of Complex PTSD:

•

Working too hard for too long. This is done in order to not have time for thinking or facing the problems one is facing

•

Depression and isolation. A sense of feeling that no one understands them, a sense of hopelessness, lack of trust, and self-pity.

•

Addictions and addictive behaviours. This is usually a way of self-soothing or an escape from their emotions. It could be through prescription drugs, alcohol, drugs, sex, gambling, and pretty much anything.

•

Hiding from or switching off from emotions, wearing a mask to appear normal and functional

•

Emotionally unstable, because of carrying so much inside, the person is likely to explode randomly

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Brain changes with PTSD • The hippocampus shrinks This is the area that distinguishes between the past and present memories. This is probably why flashbacks and a sense of impending danger are common symptoms.

• Increased activity in the amygdala This is the area that helps us process emotions and is linked to fear responses.

This may explain the hyper-sensitive symptoms of PTSD. • The ventromedial prefrontal cortex

shrinks This is the area of the brain that regulates negative emotions that arise when confronted with specific stimuli

Sourced from www.ptsduk.org

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Treatment

There has been much research done over the years to find a lasting treatment for PTSD. The combination of psychotherapy and medication seems to have emerged as a more reliable and effective method of treating the symptoms of PTSD. It is possible to use talk therapy alone as an intervention or medication only. However, here are the benefits of combining these two: • • • • •

Reduces the rates relapsing It reduces the symptoms of PTSD Overall physical health is improved Social interaction improves Short term recovery symptoms improve • The chances of long term recovery are also improved Medication can include antidepressants and anti-anxiety pills.

Sourced from www.friendlycounselling.com

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Myths vs Facts

1. Myth: PTSD only affects military veterans Fact: PTSD is often associated with military veterans, and although they are not the only people affected by PTSD, they may be at increased risk given the traumatic and violent nature of war or military service. But trauma comes in many forms and can impact people from all walks of life.

2. Myth: PTSD occurs immediately after a traumatic event Fact: Although symptoms of PTSD typically emerge around three months after a traumatic event, some people may not experience any symptoms at all for a number of years.

3. Myth: PTSD is a sign of weakness Fact: PTSD is a diagnosable mental disorder, linked to changes in the brain and alterations to the fear response. For example, experiencing trauma can impact cognitive functions like memory, attention, and problem-solving. Trauma can also be related to an increased fear response, even when a situation is not truly threatening.

Sourced from www.therecoveryvillage.com

10 | A n t i s o c i a l P e r s o n a l i t y D i s o r d e r

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Where to get Help

Northern Region St John of God Hospital Services +265 01 311 690

Mzuzu Central Hospital +265 01 320 916/998

Central Region St John of God Hospital Services +265 992 460 253/992 460 254

Kamuzu Central Hospital +265 01 753 555

Southern Region Zomba Psychiatric Hospital +265 01 524 750

Zomba Central Hospital +265 01 526 266/525 195

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