Causes of post-traumatic stress disorder
Most of us have experienced some form of trauma in our lives. While it is sometimes possible to recover from these traumas without long-term effects, millions of people struggle with flashbacks, nightmares and negative thoughts.
This condition, called post-traumatic stress disorder, is actually caused by the disruption of certain biological mechanisms that allow us to cope with the dangerous experiences we face, and is treatable.
How does post-traumatic stress disorder develop? To understand this condition, we must first understand how the brain processes a large number of distressing events. These can be the death of a loved one, domestic violence, injury or illness, abuse, rape, war, a car accident or a natural disaster. These events activate a kind of alarm system in our brain and our body releases stress hormones. While it is normal to experience stress when we are facing a bad situation, the problem is that the increased level of stress hormones can stay the same for days after the crisis moment has come and gone.
This causes tension, nightmares and some other symptoms, which disappear within a few days to 2 weeks once the hormone levels stabilize. However, a small part of the body that is traumatized can cause permanent problems. Sometimes these problems, which disappear temporarily, may reappear months later.
There are certain symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and they can be divided into 4 main categories: Dreams or flashbacks; negative feelings such as fear, anger and guilt; a reflex to avoid memories of the trauma; and reactive symptoms such as irritability or difficulty sleeping. Not everyone has all the symptoms or experiences them to the same extent and intensity. A diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder is usually only possible if symptoms persist for more than 1 month.
Risk factors for PTSD include genetics, constant overwhelming stress and pre-existing psychological disorders or lack of spiritual help. But the underlying cause of this disorder is still a mystery to the medical community.
On the other hand, there may be certain physical and emotional stimuli that lead to the onset of symptoms. These can often be everyday experiences that do not actually pose any danger, but which evoke strong physical and emotional reactions. For example, the smell of a campfire can remind a person of being trapped in a burning house. A person with PTSD may feel lonely in such a situation.
If you think you are suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, the first thing to do is to consult a specialist who can refer you to as many resources as possible. Psychotherapy is a very effective method for this problem. This way, patients better understand the triggers. On the other hand, some medications can also help to control the symptoms.
Other things that can be useful in this regard are mindfulness exercises and physical activity.
If you think that someone close to you is suffering from PTSD, it is important to remember that moral support, acceptance and empathy are the most important things in recovery. The best thing you can do is to show them that you believe the story of what they experienced and that you do not blame them for their reactions.
If they agree, you should also encourage them to seek diagnosis and treatment.