Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder caused by very difficult, frightening or distressing events.

Signs of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
A person with PTSD frequently experiences the stressful event through problems and flashbacks, and may also may experience feelings of seclusion, impatience and sense of guilt.

They might also have issues sleeping, such as sleeplessness, as well as concentrating.
These symptoms are commonly severe and sufficient to have a considerable influence on the individual’s daily life.

Root causes of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Any circumstance that a person finds traumatic can cause PTSD.

These can consist of:.

  • major road traffic accidents.
  • severe personal assaults, such as sexual assault or robbery.
  • significant illness.
  • giving birth

PTSD can develop immediately after someone experiences a traumatic event, or it can take place weeks, months and even years later on.

PTSD is estimated to influence regarding 1 in every 3 individuals that have a stressful experience, yet it’s not clear specifically why some individuals establish the problem as well as others do not.

Complex post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
People that repeatedly experience stressful situations, such as extreme neglect, abuse or physical violence, may be diagnosed with Complex PTSD.

Complex PTSD can cause similar signs to PTSD and also may not develop until years after the occasion.

It’s often a lot more severe if the trauma was experienced early in life, as this can affect a child’s development.

When to seek medical advice.

It’s normal to experience disturbing and puzzling ideas after a terrible occasion, but most people recover normally over a few weeks.

You ought to see a General Practitioner if you or your child are still having issues about 4 weeks after the distressing experience, or if the symptoms are particularly problematic.

If necessary, your GP can refer you to psychological health specialists for further evaluation and treatment.

How trauma (PTSD) is treated.

PTSD can be efficiently dealt with, also when it creates several years after a stressful occasion.

Any type of treatment depends on the intensity of signs as well as just how quickly they occur after the stressful event.

Any of the following treatment choices may be advised:.

  • watchful waiting– monitoring your signs and symptoms to see whether they improve or become worse without therapy.
  • antidepressants– such as paroxetine or mirtazapine.
  • psychological treatments– such as trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or eye motion desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR).

At Rodney Street Therapies Anthony Lacey provides EMDR for PTSD.