PTSD Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder January 16 th, 2014

What is PTSD? Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder – a condition of persistent mental and emotional stress occurring as a result of injury or severe psychological shock, typically involving disturbance of sleep and constant vivid recall of the experience, with dulled responses to others and to the outside world.

Examples of traumatic events War Natural disasters Car or plane crash Terrorist attacks Sudden death of a loved one Rape Kidnapping Assault Sexual of physical abuse Childhood neglect

Normal Response vs. PTSD A normal response you can process your emotions and come out of it. PTSD you stay in emotional shock Your memory of what happened and your feelings are disconnected. To move on you have to face and feel your memories and emotions.

Question What would you do if the interviewee doesn’t want to answer a certain question because of their experience?

Signs of PTSD Can appear out of the blue They are triggered by a memory of the traumatic event. – Noise, image, certain words, or smell

Symptoms Anger and irritability Guilt, shame, or self-blame Substance abuse Depression and hopelessness Suicidal thoughts and feelings Feeling alienated and alone

Getting Help The sooner PTSD is confronted, the easier it is to overcome. It’s easier with the guidance and support of a therapist or a doctor.

Treatment Early treatment is better and will help stop the symptoms from getting worse. Educating yourself on what kind of treatments work, where to look for help, and what kinds of questions to ask leads to better results. In treatment for PTSD you will explore your thoughts and feelings about the trauma, work through feelings of guilt, learn how to cope with memories, address problems that PTSD has caused in your life.

Types of Treatment Trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy Family therapy Medication EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)

Where to get help for PTSD If you are in a crisis call 911, go to the nearest emergency room, call the suicide prevention lifeline, contact the veterans crisis line. Find a therapist who specializes in the treatment of PTSD. Ask your family doctor for a recommendation Look on the VA’s (Veterans Affairs) website

Positive Ways of Coping with PTSD Learn about trauma and PTSD Join a PTSD support group Practice relaxation techniques Pursue outdoor activities Talk to a person you trust Spend time with positive people Avoid alcohol and drugs Enjoy the peace of nature

Helping a loved one with PTSD Be patient and understanding Try to anticipate and prepare for PTSD triggers Don’t take the symptoms of PTSD personally Don’t pressure your loved one into talking

Any Questions?