Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a disorder related to trauma and stressors that may occur after a traumatic or stressful event.
This may occur after witnessing or experiencing disturbing events, including physical or sexual assault, natural disasters, war, accidents, and domestic violence.
Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder usually do not appear immediately after the event. Instead, they may appear weeks or months later, after any physical scarring may have healed.
Common Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms
- Relive memories. This may include flashbacks or intrusive memories of events, nightmares and unwanted memories.
- avoid. You can try to avoid talking or thinking about the incident. You can do this by avoiding people, places, or events that remind you of the stressor.
- Mood swings and negative thoughts. Moods change regularly, but if you suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), you may often feel depressed, numb, and hopeless. You may also be hard on yourself, filled with guilt or self-loathing. You may also feel disconnected from other people, including friends and family. This can make PTSD symptoms worse.
- Changes in behavior and reactions. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can cause unusual emotional outbursts, such as being easily frightened or frightened, angry, or losing your mind. It can also lead people to engage in self-destructive behavior. This includes speeding, drug or alcohol abuse.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can be diagnosed by your primary care provider or a mental health professional. Your primary care provider will start with a physical exam to make sure your symptoms are not caused by a physical illness.
Once a physical problem has been ruled out, they may refer you to a mental health professional for further evaluation. If you experience symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder for more than four weeks and have trouble completing daily tasks due to pain and emotion, your doctor may diagnose post-traumatic stress disorder.
Some doctors will refer people with PTSD to mental health professionals. These trained health care providers include psychiatrists, psychologists and counselors. They can help you find treatment.
melancholy
Depression is a chronic mood disorder. It is more intense and lasts longer than a sad or "blue" day. In fact, depression can have a significant impact on your health and happiness. Your doctor may diagnose depression if you experience five or more symptoms for at least two weeks in a row.
symptoms of depression
- feeling sad or hopeless
- Feeling tired or not having enough energy
- Sleeping too much or too little
- Loss of enjoyment from activities that were once enjoyable
- Difficulty concentrating and making decisions
- experience feelings of worthlessness
- Frequently thinking about suicide or thinking about death
As with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), your doctor will likely diagnose you after a physical exam and a mental health exam to rule out any other possible causes.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression
It is possible to have post-traumatic stress disorder and depression at the same time. Due to similar symptoms, they are often confused.
Post-traumatic stress disorder and depression symptoms
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression may have the following symptoms in common:
- Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
- Emotional outbursts, including anger or aggression
- Loss of interest in activities
Research shows that people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are more likely to suffer from depression. Likewise, people with depressive mood disorders are also more likely to experience more anxiety or stress.
Interpreting unique symptoms can help you and your doctor find the right treatment.
For example, someone with post-traumatic stress disorder may develop greater anxiety about specific people, places, or things. This is most likely the result of a traumatic event.
Depression, on the other hand, may not be related to any identifiable problem or event. Yes, life events can make depression worse, but depression often develops and worsens independently of any life event.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with depression
Traumatic events can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder. Symptoms of the disease usually appear weeks after the distressing event. What's more, depression can also occur after a traumatic event.
Research shows that almost half of people who have or have had post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) experience depression. Additionally, people who suffer from PTSD at some point in their lives are three to five times more likely to develop depression than people who do not experience PTSD.
People who suffer from depression or depression are also more likely to experience symptoms of anxiety disorders.
Treatment programs
Although PTSD and depression are unique disorders, their treatments may be similar.
For both conditions, it's important to seek treatment as soon as possible. Allowing either condition to continue for months or even years and possibly worsen can take a toll on your physical and mental health.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
The goals of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) treatment are to relieve symptoms, suppress emotional reactions, and eliminate severe avoidance behaviors.
The most common treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (depending on symptoms and prescriber preference) include:
- Prescription medications: These include antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, and sleep aids.
- Support groups: These are meetings where you can discuss your feelings and learn from others who have had similar experiences.
- Talk therapy: This is a type of one-on-one cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) that helps you learn to express your thoughts and form healthy responses.
depression
Like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), treatment for depression focuses on relieving symptoms and helping to restore a positive quality of life.
The most common treatments for depression (depending on symptoms and prescriber preference) include:
- prescription. Medications include antidepressants, antipsychotics, anti-anxiety medications, and sleep aids.
- Psychotherapy. Talk therapy, or CBT, can help you learn how to cope with the feelings and emotions that seem to make your symptoms of depression worse.
- Group or family therapy. These support groups are suitable for people with chronic depression or family members living with someone who has depression.
- Lifestyle changes. These include healthy choices, including exercise, a balanced diet, and getting enough sleep, all of which can help relieve the symptoms and complications of depression.
- Phototherapy. Controlling white light exposure may help improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression.
Post-traumatic stress disorder and depression
As you can see, doctors use many of the same treatments for PTSD and depression. This includes prescription medications, talk therapy, group therapy and lifestyle modifications.
Healthcare providers who treat PTSD are often also trained in treating depression.
If you think you have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or depression, make an appointment to see a health care provider. They can recommend or refer you to a mental health professional for evaluation and treatment.
If there is no regularly seen doctor or mental health professional in your area, call your local hospital's patient outreach office.
They can help you find a doctor or provider near you to treat the condition you want covered.
generalize
Bad moods are part of human nature, but chronic bad moods are not.
People with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression may experience long-term mood and anxiety problems as a result of either condition—some may even have both.
Early treatment for PTSD and depression can help you find effective results. It will also help you prevent long-term or chronic complications of both diseases.
If you think you have symptoms of any of these conditions, talk to your health care provider. They can help you begin the process of finding answers to your symptoms.
