{"id":2273,"date":"2020-12-01T16:05:44","date_gmt":"2020-12-01T16:05:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/odoc.life\/?p=2273"},"modified":"2021-08-05T15:01:09","modified_gmt":"2021-08-05T15:01:09","slug":"understanding-post-traumatic-stress-disorder","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/3.7.237.78\/ta\/blog\/understanding-post-traumatic-stress-disorder\/","title":{"rendered":"Understanding Post Traumatic Stress Disorder"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Understanding Post Traumatic Stress Disorder<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Understanding Post Traumatic Stress Disorder<\/b><\/p>

Our little island nation has experienced much trauma in our long history, this last year and a half being no exception. With the devastating Easter Sunday attacks last year and the current COVID-19 pandemic, many of us are dealing with the loss of loved ones and the stress of financial instability. As COVID-19 cases continue to rise, the government has imposed curfews or severe restrictions on movement. The aftereffects of these actions have challenged Sri Lankans, some of us harder than others. <\/span><\/p>\n

Historically, Sri Lanka has not placed enough emphasis on the role of the emotional impact of traumatic events such as these on a person\u2019s psyche. Our system lacks sufficient psychological & psychiatric support for people who\u2019ve lived through traumatic circumstances, be it through the stress of the pandemic, Easter Sunday attacks, the 30 year long civil war that devastated our nation or the abuse happening in our own homes. <\/span><\/p>\n

To that end, we\u2019ve compiled a short primer on one of the most prevalent disorders that arise out of such events in the hope that it will prove of worth to help a loved one or your own self. <\/span><\/p>\n

What is PTSD? <\/b><\/p>

People who have lived through a traumatic event can find themselves experiencing emotional challenges long after the event has taken place. <\/span><\/p>

PTSD can develop after either a single isolated event or more recurring traumatic experiences. <\/span><\/p>\n

Not everyone who has undergone a traumatic event is likely to suffer from PTSD. Some may have strong feelings of sadness, stress, helplessness or fear but these symptoms can lessen over time as they continue to heal. However, a person who struggles with PTSD can experience symptoms that continue to cause them significant emotional disturbances and distress. <\/span><\/p>\n

Symptoms of PTSD<\/b><\/p>

A person who maybe suffering from PTSD may have 4 main types of difficulties:<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Re-living the traumatic event – the person relives the event through recurring nightmares or memories and feels as though the event were happening again. They can have strong physical responses such as increased heart rate, sweating or panic. <\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Avoiding reminders of the event – The person actively avoids thoughts, feelings, conversations, even people and places that remind them of the traumatic event. <\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Being overly alert – The person may experience sleeping difficulties, irritability, lack of concentration, becoming easily startled and constantly on the lookout for danger. <\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Feeling emotionally numb – the person may feel distant from others, a loss of interest in day to day activities and experience difficulty in positive feelings such as happiness or love. <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    If these symptoms persist for longer than a month and are not due to medication, substance use or other illness, it is likely that the person is suffering from PTSD.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Coping with PTSD<\/b><\/p>\n

    Many people suffering from PTSD turn to unhealthy coping strategies such as alcohol or drug abuse or deliberate self-harm. <\/span>As such, it is important to seek out a qualified professional to speak with \u2013 this may help bring back hope through the sharing of experience and helping learn healthy & effective ways of coping. <\/span><\/p>\n

    What can I do to help if I see a loved one suffering from PTSD? <\/b><\/p>\n

    Finding ways to support a loved one with PTSD can be complicated but one of the most helpful things you can do yourself is learn about the symptoms and trials of living with PTSD. Familiarising yourself with what your friend or family member is going through can make it easier for them to have conversations. <\/span><\/p>\n

    Actively listening to your loved one instead of trying to \u201cfix\u201d their problems is helpful. Just give them a safe space free of judgement and criticism. <\/span><\/p>\n

    Encouraging your loved ones to seek help from a trained professional is of paramount importance. There are also many online support groups in Sri Lanka (links below) that can help your loved one connect with others who may be going through similar traumatic experiences. <\/span><\/p>\n

    What does PTSD look like in children? <\/b><\/p>\n

    Adults are not the only ones to suffer from PTSD and <\/span>given the recent cases of child abuse in the news with perhaps countless cases happening behind closed doors, <\/span>it is useful to understand how we can determine whether a child is suffering from PTSD. Symptoms vary depending on age as described below. <\/span><\/p>\n

    Preschool\/Kindergarten<\/span><\/p>\n