Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a distressing or traumatic event. These events can range from accidents and natural disasters to war, abuse or other life threatening situations.
In this blog we are going to learn about how to treat post traumatic stress disorder. But before diving into that, let us gain some basic understanding of this disorder.
PTSD is a type of anxiety disorder. It occurs when a person struggles to process a traumatic experience. It causes the brain to relive that traumatic experience continuously through memories and physical reactions. It can cause many debilitating symptoms that can significantly affect the quality of life.
Symptoms:
Here are some common symptoms of PTSD:
- Flashbacks
- Nightmares
- Emotional numbness
- Hypervigilance
- Difficulty concentrating
- Sleep disturbances
- Irritability and anger
- Low self-esteem
- Avoiding reminders of the traumatic event (eg people, places, or situations)
How To Treat Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?
Before starting the treatment for PTSD your healthcare provider will assess your condition in detail.
If your PTSD symptoms are mild, or you have had them for less than 4 weeks, then your healthcare provider may recommend an “active monitoring” approach for you. This involves close monitoring of your symptoms to see if they improve or worsen over time.
According to the NHS, 2 in every 3 people who experience problems after a traumatic event, improve within a few weeks without requiring treatment.
There are many effective treatment options available for PTSD. Its main treatment options are therapies and medications.
Therapies for PTSD include;
1. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy(CBT):
Cognitive behavioural therapy is one of the most used and effective forms of therapy for PTSD. It focuses on changing negative thought patterns and behaviours associated with trauma that are causing distress. Following are the types of CBT that are used to treat PTSD;
- Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT):
This form of therapy helps to identify and challenge the disturbing thoughts related to trauma. For example someone might believe that they are responsible for the traumatic event, even though it is not the case. Cognitive behavioural therapy helps them reframe their thoughts and replace them with more realistic ones.
- Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT):
This type of therapy is especially effective for children and adolescents who are suffering from PTSD. In this therapy, the aspects of CBT are combined with the trauma specific interventions. This helps individuals to cope with their trauma in a healthier way.
2. Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE):
This therapy involves gradual exposure to the thoughts, memories and situations related to the trauma, in a controlled and safe environment. This therapy helps people to confront and process their fears, which reduces the intensity of their anxiety over time.
3. Eye Movement Desensitisation And Reprocessing (EMDR):
It is a specialised form of therapy that involves guiding the individuals through a series of eye movements while recalling the traumatic memories. The theory behind EMDR is that these eye movements help in processing the trauma and allows the brain to restore the memories in a less distressing form.
To perform EMDR, usually your therapist may ask you to recall your memories of the traumatic event while making eye movements by following the movement of their finger.
Learn more about EMDR.
4. Medications:
There are some cases in which therapy alone is not enough in treating PTSD. In such cases the healthcare provider might recommend medications. These medicines help control more severe aspects of PTSD like anxiety, depression and sleep disturbances.
According to the NIH, the only FDA approved drugs for treatment of PTSD are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), sertraline and paroxetine HCL.
However, not everyone has the same PTSD and everyone shows different responses to medicines. So it is possible that your healthcare provider might suggest you some other “off label” medicines for the treatment of PTSD. These may include monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) , antidepressants, antipsychotics, beta blockers or benzodiazepines.
5. Social Support:
Having a strong social support system is crucial for the recovery from PTSD. Connecting with the friends, family and support groups can help give sense of belonging to an individual. Many people suffering from PTSD feel isolated, social support can help reduce these feelings.
Peer support groups, especially the ones specifically for PTSD can be helpful for sharing experiences and learning coping strategies.
Here are some useful contacts that can help you find support and help for PTSD.
6. Relaxation Techniques:
Practicing relaxation techniques can help people relax and manage their stress response associated with PTSD. These techniques may include;
- Deep breathing
- Meditation
- Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR)
- Yoga
- Mindfulness
- Spending time in nature
7. Self Care Strategies:
In addition to therapies and medications, individuals suffering from PTSD can also get benefit from self care strategies. Incorporating these strategies in the daily routine can help reduce stress, promote relaxation and improve emotional resilience. Here are some of them;
- Regular physical exercise
- Practicing good sleep hygiene
- Eating a healthy and balanced diet
- Practicing mindfulness and relaxation techniques
Conclusion:
Treatment for PTSD is a journey. It may involve finding the right combination of therapies, medication and relaxation techniques. PTSD can be challenging, but by getting proper treatment, many people suffering from PTSD can find improvement in their symptoms and overall well-being.