Overcoming Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
By Taylor Tomita
Most of us are aware of Post traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) by now. While previous generations might have suffered from insufficient awareness, various nonprofits and Hollywood have done a terrific job of educating the public of this problem, especially when concerning veterans.
However, we are no closer to eliminating this problem; actually, it’s becoming more relevant with every war.
Regardless of whether you are suffering yourself or if you have a loved one that might be, it’s vital that we recognize the causes behind PTSD so that we can approach recovery from the right direction.
Considering that only 40% of veterans will report their problems of PTSD, it often falls to friends and family to recognize the signs.
PTSD has a wide range of symptoms, but in order to be diagnosed, individuals must have symptoms across four different categories for at least a month.
Those categories include re-experiencing, avoidance, reactivity, and mood. So if you or a loved one are experiencing flashbacks, recurrent nightmares, a desire to avoid places that are associated with the traumatic experience, difficulty sleeping, memory loss, or other similar symptoms, PTSD is definitely a possibility.
Complications
However, most affected by the disorder do not want to admit it. As much as education has helped increase awareness, there is still a stigma surrounding mental health problems. People cannot see the tangible damage, even if it is visible once you examine the brain itself.
Instead of seeking treatment, people with PTSD retreat into substance abuse. In fact, they are more likely to become an alcoholic than those without PTSD.
Additionally, it’s not just legal drugs that they might abuse. People with PTSD often seek out these substances to numb themselves and dull whatever lingering pain they may have. Furthermore, they feel that it is more acceptable to sink into a bottle or a pipe than to admit they are still traumatized.
This attempt at stoicism comes at a price. Often, substance abuse can actually worsen PTSD symptoms. Drinking or drugs might allow victims to forget their experience for a little while, but it does not erase them.
PTSD might have numbed its victims to feeling anything, but substance abuse only brings temporary pleasure while damaging the body. All of substance abuse’s “solutions” are far from permanent or effective. Yet, still, people would rather devolve into drinking or drugs than admit a mental health problem
Treatment
Some might need to admit it to themselves before they could ever admit it to a family or friend. Regardless, understand that social support is crucial to someone with PTSD. Although they may not voice their appreciation, one of the main causes of PTSD is a feeling of alienation. lack of social support is twice as predictive of PTSD than trauma severity.
While you cannot truly understand their trauma, whether it sexual assault or armed combat, you can refrain from widening the distance. Do not pressure them. Be ready to listen. Continue to do normal activities with them. Let them set the pace. Eventually, they should be ready to receive professional help.
Professional help cannot provide all the answers, though. While helpful, it is not a cure alone, as is the case with most mental illnesses.
However, in conjunction with medication, different techniques like EMDR, and service dogs, it can be effective. Sometimes, medication might have little effect but a service dog will do leaps and bounds. Other time, the reverse might be true. It is all dependent upon the individual and their experience.
Treatment for substance abuse might also be necessary. The exact tactics of the treatment will depend upon the drug, but the community knows that this is an issue.
Ask your therapist about the possibility of specialized treatment for both disorders, as targeting both simultaneously is more effective. Since there is a well-established overlap, there are many opportunities to treat both conditions at the same time.
PTSD has become increasingly relevant with every generation and every war. While we all see it depicted in various films, we are no closer to eliminating the disorder. The very fact that our knowledge of PTSD originates from the silver screen is a sign of that. However, when a you or a loved one is affected directly, the pain hits home quickly.
Unfortunately, the social stigma surrounding the disorder can prevent affected individuals from seeking help, despite their astounding inner strength.
The path to recovery is hardly clear, but staying drug free, leaning on close friends and family, and seeking professional treatment is the best way to overcome this disorder.
The views and opinions expressed in this post are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect all or some of our beliefs and policy. Any links on this page does not necessarily mean they have been endorsed by Defying Mental Illness.
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This is very useful!
The more I read and learn about MH including PTSD, the more I believe my father may have been suffering. I say suffering as he numbed himself with drink for the majority of his adult life and shared very little except one small point or two, the most recent before his death from stage 4 cancer. For a long time I felt he hated everyone and everything and used substances to be somehow elsewhere, both to family and friends. I’m trying to come to terms and understand his reasons so I thank you for sharing. It just pains me that no matter what, some people do not want to be reached, even by their own flesh and blood.
Thank you Wilms for sharing this. It must have been really challenging watching your father go through so much and not open up to anyone about it.
We hope that by reading more about Mental Health and indeed traumatic conditions such as PTSD, you probably understand some ‘reason’ as to why he behaved the way he did, and can find some comfort or peace, knowing it was no fault of those reaching out to him. The more people like you that share your story, the better it becomes for many out there going through similar experiences either as one challenged with mental illness or a caregiver. Thank you once again