Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating condition that develops follows a terrifying incident. Life threatening events such as serious accidents, natural disasters, muggings, rapes or torture can cause PTSD.
Sufferers of PTSD repeatedly relive the trauma in the form of nightmares and disturbing recollections during the day. We experience sleep problems, depression, feel detached or numb, and are easily startled. We lose interest in things we used to enjoy and have trouble feeling affectionate. We may feel irritable, more aggressive than before, or even violent.
Ordinary events can serve as reminders of the trauma and trigger flashbacks or intrusive images. A flashback may make us lose touch with reality and re-enact the event for a period of seconds or hours or, very rarely, days. When having a flashback, which can come in the form of images, sounds, smells, or feelings, we usually believe that the traumatic event is happening all over again.
PTSD is diagnosed only if the symptoms last more than a month. Symptoms usually begin within 3 months of the trauma, and the course of the illness varies. Some people recover within 6 months, others have symptoms that last much longer. In some cases, the condition may be chronic. Occasionally, the illness doesn't show up until years after the traumatic event.
Cognitive-behavioural therapy is an integral part of treatment for post traumatic stress disorder. Not dissimilar to bereavement, we need to grieve for the person we were prior to the event, to accept what has happened and, to allow ourselves to move forward and to live life, with the awareness of what has happened without allowing it to control us.
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