Traumatic events happen daily. But you never know when one will impact you. According to Canada’s National Collision Database (NCDB), in 2017, 112,479 personal injury collisions occurred, and 9,960 survivors sustained severe injuries.
Surviving a car crash changes a person forever. If the survivor retains memories of the incident, it can cause severe emotional damage.
The accident could replay over and over in the person’s mind hindering healing and moving forward.
Some frightening, painful, and disturbing experiences cause Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). But surviving a traumatic episode doesn’t guarantee you will develop PTSD. There are PTSD criteria to receive a diagnosis.
Follow along as we discuss Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
What Is PTSD?
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a “psychiatric disorder occurring in people who experienced or witnessed a traumatic event like an attack, natural disaster, combat, serious accident, unexpected death of a loved one and rape,” according to Psychiatry.org.
PTSD became known as “shell shock” during World War I and “combat fatigue” after World War II. After years of research, we know PTSD happens to other people besides military staff.
Studies show that PTSD affects 3.5 percent of Americans and 9.2 percent of all Canadians will suffer from PTSD, according to psychiatry.org and ncbi.gov, respectively.
More alarming is that twice as many women develop PTSD than men. A link to sexual assault may be the cause of this discrepancy. Sexual assault causes more PTSD than any other event, according to The National Center for PTSD.
Learning the signs of PTSD could help you get the treatment needed to start healing.
What Are The PTSD Criteria For Diagnosis?
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Symptoms of PTSD start within three months of the traumatic event but can take longer to appear. The symptoms last for at least one month and distract focus from work, school, and relationships.
The symptoms fall into four categories, such as:
- Intrusive thoughts
- Avoiding reminders
- Negative thoughts and feelings
- Arousal and reactive symptoms
It is common for the signs to show themselves after a few days of the traumatic experience. PTSD may occur with depression, substance abuse, memory loss, and other health issues.
But not everyone who endures a traumatic incident develops PTSD. Some will suffer from Acute Stress Disorder. The symptoms are similar to PTSD and last for three days and one month. Nearly half of the people with acute stress disorder will develop PTSD.
Known treatments of acute stress disorder include psychotherapy and medication.
To receive a PTSD diagnosis, an adult must experience the following symptoms for at least one month, according to NIMH.
- At least one re-experiencing symptom – flashbacks
- At least one avoidance symptom – staying away from places or people
- At least two arousal and reactivity symptoms – being easily startled
- At least two cognition and mood symptoms – loss of interest in activities
PTSD treatment methods include cognitive processing therapy, prolonged exposure therapy, group therapy, and medication.
People living with PTSD may not realize how their behavior changed since the traumatic episode. Sometimes those closest to them must discuss how the symptoms are impacting their life.
Not everyone wants to attend therapy or go on medication. But learning the specific ways that PTSD impacts your life might persuade someone to seek help.
How Does PTSD Impact Your Life?
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is more than a list of symptoms and treatments. People are living with a PTSD diagnosis that changes their lives and perception of reality.
Living with PTSD presents an emotional burden for the patient, their friends, and family. The nightmares and flashbacks could happen at any time, which means focusing on and enjoying daily activities such as working, school, driving, and intimate relationships may not occur.
When a person living with PTSD no longer wants to go out to specific locations and interact with people, this can isolate them and drive a rift in their relationships. Angry outbursts and blaming oneself might cause someone to lose their job or significant other if the person doesn’t seek treatment.
These symptoms of PTSD can impact a person who never experienced an event directly. Hearing details of a traumatic event for an extended period can cause PTSD.
Professionals like social workers, paramedics, police officers, dispatch workers, and journalists are at risk of developing PTSD.
A low socioeconomic and educational status and racism can lead to PTSD.
PTSD occurs every day, but there is a way to work through the symptoms and begin to heal.
Get The Help You Need
Regardless of what people say or think there is no shame in mental illness. Mental illness affects millions of people. But you don’t need to suffer in silence. Deciding to seek professional help is the first step to gaining your life back.
With the advancements in therapy, people are receiving treatment and improving. There are many methods people use to make themselves feel whole again.
Individual therapy, group therapy, hypnosis, and life coach consultations may help someone dealing with a mental illness disorder like PTSD.
Although everyone is different, being open to receiving treatment is an essential element. No one can force a person to be ready.
Ready To Begin
If you believe you or someone you love matches the PTSD criteria, it’s time to get help. Picking up the phone to schedule an appointment takes courage. You should feel proud of yourself for choosing to end your suffering by seeking treatment.
To learn more about my treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, please click here.