Recovery from traumatic events may be a challenging and slow process. Since every person responds differently to the trauma, the treatment options can vary from person to person. What works for one may not work for another individual.
What is PTSD?
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a condition that develops in some individuals who have
been through a horrible, frightening, or hazardous incident.
People who have PTSD have assertive, unsettling thoughts and sensations about their traumatic experiences that remain long after the incident has ended. They may relive the incident via flashbacks or dreams; they may experience sadness, anxiety, or anger and feel disconnected or distanced from others.
Causes:
PTSD is mainly developed when you witness or learn about a horrible situation. However, these situations may vary from person to person.
It may be due to :
- Violent crimes
- Fire
- Car accident
- Rape or sexual assault
- Plane crash
- Exposure to military combat
- Physical abuse
- Natural disaster
Symptoms
If you have been through a traumatic experience, look out for these symptoms. If you see any of these actions or ideas, you may have PTSD.
- Having nightmares about the incident.
- Having unwelcome, intrusive thoughts about what occurred.
- Having difficulty falling or staying asleep.
- Avoiding any thoughts or memories of what happened and external reminders such as persons, places, or activities.
- Losing interest in things you used to enjoy.
If you experience the above symptoms, you may be developing PTSD; you can also take a PTSD quiz to find out if you’re experiencing symptoms.
Treatment of PTSD
Medication and psychological therapies are the most effective post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) treatments.
Dealing with PTSD can be challenging and slow. However, the most effective method to deal with PTSD is to face your symptoms front on and get professional assistance.
Assessment of PTSD
Your symptoms will be carefully examined to provide you with the most effective care.
An initial evaluation by your psychologist will be carried out. This will help them better understand your condition and what treatment options would be most suitable for you.
For self-assessment, you may take a PTSD quiz. The questions will help determine whether you are developing symptoms of PTSD or not. However, the final assessment will be carried out by professionals.
How can Therapy treat PTSD?
There are several therapy options available to treat post-traumatic stress disorder. Psychotherapy, Group therapy and Cognitive behavioural therapy are some of the most frequent techniques to treat PTSD.
To address the particular patient's requirements, your counsellor may propose a mix of one or more therapy techniques in certain circumstances to achieve a better outcome.
What works for one person may not work for another. Several aspects like the individual's personality, trauma, and symptoms all influence how beneficial therapy is. While there are several successful PTSD therapies, some have been proven to be more helpful than others. Various therapy options are available to deal with PTSD, some of them are as follow:
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
This therapy is based on the fact that if we can alter our thinking patterns, we can change our behaviour patterns.
One of the most effective ways to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which has proven helpful for patients struggling with PTSD.
The majority of cognitive behavioural therapists will focus on assisting the PTSD patient in coming to terms with the traumatic incident and then identifying methods to adjust behaviour to deal more effectively with the experience.
Group Therapy
Patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) might also benefit from group therapy. Group therapy provides a unique opportunity for trauma victims to connect with others who have been through similar experiences.
This will help them to express themselves openly without the fear of judgement. Group Therapy provides a secure environment to address traumatic experiences and any associated thoughts and actions without fear of judgement.
Online Therapy
Online therapy is another suitable option for people who have PTSD. The online therapist may conduct interviews to understand your condition better.
Patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) will learn various symptom management and coping skills via online counselling. Patients and their loved ones will also benefit from understanding more about the disease and how they can be supportive in dealing with trauma-related fears and anxieties.
Online therapy is equally effective as Physical therapy. People who have PTSD have given positive reviews about online therapy and how effective it has been for them. You can go through Betterhelp Testimonials to learn PTSD patients experiences with online therapy.
The Bottom Line
Post-traumatic stress disorder can be tough to deal with, and recovery may take long. Fortunately, when it comes to addressing the causes and symptoms of PTSD, one of the most powerful treatments available is support.
A solid support network of family and friends is essential for rehabilitation. Still, it is also critical to collaborate closely with a mental health expert to monitor your progress and well-being.