PTSD ( Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder )
Many people believe that Post Traumatic Stress Disorder can only happen to people that are in the military that have seen horrific events. That is not the case, PTSD can happen to anyone who has witnessed a traumatic event such as a serious car accident, rape, violence, natural disasters, death, terrorist events, or physical and sexual assualt. Some jobs such as police officers, firefighters, nurses, photojournalists, and first responders are more likely to experience PTSD symptoms. Getting treatment for these symptoms is imperative. Going throughout life with severe anxiety, flashbacks, and nightmares is not a healthy way to live. It can slowly deteriorate a personās life.
Fact and Figures of PTSD
- 8.6 million adults have PTSD in the United States
- Women are twice as likely to develop PTSD
- ā of veterans have PTSD that went to Iraq and Afghanistan
- 17 Veterans commit suicide everyday
- People with PTSD are 2-4 times as likely to have a substance abuse problem
Symptoms of PTSD
Post Traumatic Stress Disorders can develop within a month of a traumatic event or appear years later after the traumatic event. These symptoms can impact social, work, and relationships. It can also affect how you go about your life on a daily basis.
There are four different types of categories when it comes to PTSD. They all vary in intensity.
- Intrusion – This is where repeated thoughts can become so vivid it feels like the person is reliving the traumatic event again. It can also happen in dreams and nightmares.
- Avoidance – Avoiding people, places, activities, events, objects, or anything that reminds them of the traumatic event. Most people with Avoidance PTSD tend to not open up about the events that happened and tell how they feel.
- Cognition and Mood Changes – Cannot recall events that happened during the traumatic event. Can change how you perceive things about yourself and others. Either blaming yourself or someone else, therefore not being able to have positive emotions such as happiness and satisfaction.Ā
- This can lead to lack of interest in activitiesĀ
- Cannot maintain close relationships
- Feeling emotionally numb
- Feeling Hopeless
- Constant Negative thoughts
- Changes in Arousal and Reactivity – Angry outbursts, reckless behavior, easy startled, or having trouble sleeping and concentrating. People with these symptoms tend to always watch their surroundings more closely and always believe something bad can happen.
5 Different types of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders
There are 5 different types of PTSD disorders. Depending on how frequent the stress was and the different types of symptoms experienced. Each and every one also has different treatment methods. It is all about defining the type of PTSD you have in order to treat it correctly.
Normal Stress Response
These are events such as car accidents, surgeries, illness, loss of a job, losing a loved one. Normal stress responses can be managed through support from loved ones or therapy sessions. Talking it through with people will help normal stress to recover within a few weeks.Ā
Acute Stress Disorder
Acute Stress Disorder happens when someone is exposed to a life-threatening event. Some of these events can be a loss of a loved one, natural disaster, loss of a job, and being close to dying. It can be treated by group therapy or treatments that are under the guidance of a psychiatrist. If left untreated, Acute Stress Disorder can turn into Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
It is estimated that 13 to 21 percent of people involved in car accidents suffer from acute stress disorder.
Uncomplicated PTSD
As it is named, uncomplicated PTSD is the easiest form of post-traumatic stress disorder to treat. It is linked to a person having one traumatic event. The symptoms that come from this can include nightmares, flashbacks, mood changes, irritability, and avoidance. Therapy and medication can help with this type of PTSD.
Complex PTSD
When multiple traumatic events happen and the person has repeated exposure to different types of events, this can be classified as complex PTSD. Many first responders, veterans, fire-fighters, and nurses may experience this type of PTSD. Patients with Complex PTSD can experience emotional issues, depression, panic, rage, and have dissociative disorders.Ā
Comorbid PTSD
Comorbid PTSD is a combination of many disorders. This can be combined with substance abuse issues to numb the pain and other mental disorders as well. Comorbid Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is very common. Adding substance abuse will make things worse and lengthen the treatment.
When to come see Florida Surgery Consultants
Florida Surgery Consultants has developed a Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder program helping anyone that may be experiencing any type of PTSD. In Tampa, Florida we have a therapy lab that is used in order to treat patients experiencing PTSD symptoms. Our therapies significantly reduce the patientsā stress disorders. It was developed with Dr. Neil Brown, who is a Neurosurgeon that has operated on many brains and has treated many patients with Traumatic Brain Injuries as well as Post Traumatic Stress Disorders. Cameron Allen is our Lead Neuroscientist that has helped many children and adults with these symptoms as well. Call us to schedule a consultation for you or your loved ones. Florida Surgery Consultantās lab located in Tampa, Florida can help.Ā
If you have suicidal thoughts, reach out to these resources immediately:
- Call 911 if you think you may hurt yourself
- Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK
- If you are a Veteran press 1
- Make an appointment with Florida Surgery Consultants to see how we can help.
