Whether you are a student at university studying psychology, a partner of a member of the armed forces, or indeed, simply interested, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can affect so many different people from all walks of life.
If you are interested in PTSD and the signs and symptoms of this often emotionally dehabilitating disease, then continue reading for an informative guide about PTSD.
Table of Contents
What Exactly is PTSD?
Basically, PTSD is a form of anxiety-based disorder that is caused by distressing and/or stressful frightening events, and far from members of the army and navy being the only people who experience the disorder; it can happen to anyone who finds a situation traumatic.
Common triggers of post-traumatic stress disorder could be if a person experiences a robbery, mugging, or another type of violent assault, such as one of a sexual nature, or instead if they are suffering from severe problems with their health.
Additionally, many people who experience a road accident or an incident during childbirth can also show signs of the disorder.
Signs & Symptoms of PTSD
Post-traumatic stress disorder is often harder to detect in an individual than you think. Even though an infinite number of people live with the condition, it is perhaps most commonly associated with people in the armed forces, who are used to hiding their emotions.
The following signs and symptoms of PTSD are more common than others:
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Angry or aggressive outbursts
- Overwhelming shame or guilt
- Never able to settle down and relax
- Self-destructive behaviour
- Compulsive behaviour symptoms
- Easily agitated or upset
Treatment Options
For those who suspect they are living with post-traumatic stress disorder, or indeed are absolutely positive about it, yet have yet to make an appointment with your doctor, this should be of optimum priority. There are numerous treatment options, all of which should be discussed with your GP in detail. All options should be explored with the advice of a medical professional.
Alternatively, a person could choose, with their doctor’s approval, of course, to go down a more holistic route when it comes to treatment.
Controlled usage of medical cannabis UK, for example, has been reported to be effective, to varying degrees depending on the individual, in managing the hyper-alert state that is often connected with post-traumatic stress disorder.
A New Beginning
If you have been either recently or a year or more ago diagnosed with PTSD, then hopefully, after reading this article, you now know that there are plenty of options to try and relieve the signs and symptoms of this anxiety disorder that often takes over your life and that there is always hope.
Looking towards the future, you may be interested to learn that a high percentage of people who have been diagnosed, lived with, and subsequently beaten PTSD then go on to work to raise awareness of the disorder and help others. Alternatively, other people who have successfully conquered their post-traumatic stress disorder choose to change their lives entirely and take their career in a completely new direction.