Post Traumatic Stress - A Psychologist's Guide

The term post traumatic stress relates to a person experiencing a station whereby they either peep or are keen in a threatening event such as possible death or important injury to themselves or another person. Post traumatic stress describes the on going effects to a person who experiences the traumatic event.

A traumatic event can include personally homely experiences such as being keen in or witnessing:

• a severe accident (car, workplace, plane break)
• receiving a life-threatening medical diagnosis
• enduring physical, sexual, or emotional abuse
• exposure to war or natural disasters
• mugging, robbery, assault
• other endangering situations

Many of the above situations can cause famous feelings of awe, apprehension and in turn heightened stress levels. As a result, post traumatic stress can be experienced in a number of ways. The three main ways in which post traumatic stress is experienced are:

1. Repeated "reliving" of the event, which disturbs day-to-day activity

• Flashbacks - episodes whereby the event seems to be happening over and over again
• Recurrent distressing memories of the event
• Ruminations relating to the trauma
• Nightmares (poor dreams)  about the event
• Physical reactions to situations that remind you of the traumatic event

2. Avoidance

• Emotional "numbing" - feeling as though you don't care about anything
• Feelings of detachment from oneself or your environment
• Memory loss in respect to significant aspects of the trauma
• Diminished interest in normal activities or previously delicious activities
• Lowered expression of mood compared to previous demeanour
• Staying away from places, people, or objects that remind you of the event
• Sense of having no future or shortened future
• Trying to refrain from talking about the event
• Reduced or loss of pleasure of previously exquisite activities

3. Arousal

• anguish concentrating and focusing (memory problems can also occur and can be associated with a lower mood position)
• Exaggerated response to things that startle you (i.e., partner tapping you on the shoulder)
• Hypervigilance - oversensitivity or being hyper-aroused
• Irritability or outbursts of anger
• Sleeping difficulties - usually waking during the night or light sleeping. Can also include difficulties falling asleep.

There are generally three types of PTSD classifications:

• Acute - Symptoms of PTSD last for less than 3 months
• Delayed - Symptoms of PTSD occur after at least 6 months since the traumatic event occurred
• Chronic - Symptoms of PTSD last for 3 months or more

The trouble that post traumatic stress sufferers experience is related to the ongoing tension that is felt both at a physical and psychological/emotional level. A person experiencing PTSD may have an overactive fight or flight response which makes them more on 'edge' and as such mopish. This ongoing reaction of being on edge and increasingly frustrated combines to originate greater levels of stress and in turn can lead to exacerbated symptomatology. It is not weird that people who experience post traumatic stress may also experience relationship difficulties with their partner/spouse as they become more agitated and less tolerant. As such it is well-known to spy aid from a mental health professional if you suspect that you have PTSD. In addition, if you suspect that someone you know has this condition, it is valuable to be gentle with raising the express with them as supporting the introduction of professional attend can be difficult and met with resistance.

Treating PTSD

There are a number of well documented and scientifically researched treatments and strategies available for PTSD. Such approaches include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), systematic desensitisation or exposure therapy, relaxation training, group therapy, gaze movement desensitisation and reprocessing, brief psychodynamic psychotherapy, family therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) .

It is vital to heed that many people who form PTSD bag better without any therapy at all however it is estimated that approximately 30% may continue to experience some symptoms for an extended period. Nonetheless, if you experience symptoms of PTSD and have been fervent in a potentially harming traumatic event, treatment can wait on to better learn coping strategies for managing intrusive thoughts and feelings more effectively.

This information is offered by Canberra based Clinical Psychologist Nesh Nikolic as a guide to notion post traumatic stress and its symptomatology. If you feel you may be experiencing post traumatic stress related symptoms, please contact your GP or a psychologist to discuss your experience in greater detail. For further information, please visit http://www.strategicpsychology.com.au.