PTSD awareness day

Every year on 27^th June, we celebrate PTSD Awareness Day to honour and support the victims of PTSD. PTSD stands for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, which is a mental health condition triggered when someone experiences or witnesses a traumatic event. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event.

Let’s begin by defining a traumatic event--

When the event, or series of events, causes a lot of stress, it is called a traumatic event. They are marked by a sense of horror, helplessness, serious injury, or the threat of serious injury or death. The most common events leading to the development of PTSD include:

v  Combat exposure

v  Childhood physical abuse

v  Sexual violence

v  Physical assault

v  Being threatened with a weapon

v  An accident

Many other traumatic events also can lead to PTSD, such as fire, natural disaster, mugging, robbery, plane crash, torture, kidnapping, life-threatening medical diagnosis, terrorist attack, and other extreme or life-threatening events.

What are the other Causes of PTSD?

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder can be developed when one goes through, sees or learns about an event involving actual or threatened death, serious injury or sexual violation.

Much like other mental health problems, PTSD is mostly caused by a complex mix of:

v  Stressful experiences- including the amount and severity of trauma one has gone through.

v  Inherited mental health risks- such as a family history of anxiety and depression.

v  Inherited features of personality — often called one’s temperament.

v  Regulation of chemicals and hormones released by the body in response to stress.

What are the symptoms of PTSD?

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder symptoms may be visible within one month of a traumatic event, or may not appear until years after the event. These symptoms cause significant problems in social or work situations and in relationships, often restricting one’s ability to do regular tasks.

PTSD symptoms are generally grouped into four types: intrusive memories, avoidance, negative changes in thinking and mood, and changes in physical and emotional reactions. Symptoms can vary over time or vary from person to person.

Intensity of symptoms

PTSD symptoms can vary in intensity over time. One may have more PTSD symptoms when stressed in general, or when one comes across reminders of what one went through. For example- one may hear a car backfire and relive combat experiences.

High intensity complications might include risk of other mental health problems, such as Depression and anxiety, Issues with drugs or alcohol use, Eating disorders, Suicidal thoughts and actions, etc.

So, when does one see a doctor?

If the disturbing thoughts and feelings about a traumatic event continue for more than a month, if they're severe, or if one feels that they are having trouble getting their life back under control, it is advisable to talk to the doctor or a mental health professional. Getting treatment as soon as possible can help prevent PTSD symptoms from getting worse.

How can PTSD be prevented?

Getting timely help and support may prevent normal stress reactions from getting worse and developing into PTSD. This may mean turning to family and friends who will listen and offer comfort. It may mean seeking out a mental health professional for a brief course of therapy. Some people may also find it helpful to turn to their faith community. Proper Support will also help prevent one from turning to unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as misuse of alcohol or drugs.

The PTSD Awareness Day aims to raise public awareness about the disorder and educate people about PTSD. It also aims to provide people affected by PTSD, access to proper treatment. PTSD Awareness is represented by the teal colour.

So, this PTSD Awareness Day we should come together in the spirit of the bright teal colour and support the victims of Trauma.

(By Ahira Mendiratta, Volunteer, Editorial Department, AHCF)