Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – By Dr. Sagnik Mukherjee

Dr Sagnik Mukherjee, Kolkata Psychiatrist explains in detail about PTSD and managing PTSD. PTSD is actually a neuro Psychological disorder and some can be affected by it after any kind of severe traumatic situation like war, earthquake, accident, rape. It makes the individual experience a flashback of traumatic moments and it becomes difficult for the patient to cope with it. Post-traumatic stress damages the normal functioning of the nervous system in us.

Symptoms of PTSD are as follows:

Re-experiencing:

Having a flashback of the unhappy event.

Severely upsetting nightmares in sleep.

Traumatic images during daytime activities.

All together a reminder of that event makes an individual suffer in pain.

Avoidance or rumination:

PTSD patients try to avoid anything that can remind them of the trauma Such as the situation, involved people as well as circumstances associated with the incident and try to suppress the memories related to the event.

For others thinking too much or too deeply about the incident prevents them from getting over the trauma.

Many patients overthink and make themselves more stressed and worried, which is not a manual, it is a rather involuntary or automatic symptom of PTDS.

Hyperstimulation or emotional freezing:

Extreme vigilance for any threat

Overstated sterile response

Irritation

Difficulty concentrating

Insomnia

Experiencing unmanaged emotions

Emotional distance from others

Quitting activities that were fun or required before the trauma

Lots of memory or amnesia are the salient characteristic of the trauma

Managing PTSD?

Well, the following tips can help you to get rid of the traumatic episodes as well as related stress.

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or (TF-CBT) is beneficial if and when symptoms are chronic.

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) can be considered as an alternative treatment method.

Depression, general anxiety as well as alcohol or substance abuse are secondary to PTSD.  PTSD should be treated first and then the associated symptoms should be addressed.

Mindfulness meditation is not a treatment option but sometimes helps to recognize cognitive dissonance thus helping in therapy. Consult with the best Psychiatrist in Kolkata, if anyone suffers from PTSD.