PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder, is a mental disorder caused by being a participant or witness to a highly stressful event. It manifests itself m.in. recurring memories of the event, avoiding talking or even thinking about it, and nightmares.
Causes of PTSD
The development of PTSD can occur in people who have experienced, for example:
- physical or sexual violence,
- assault, beating or other crime,
- natural disaster (e.g. flood, earthquake, fire),
- traffic accident,
- long-term imprisonment,
- torture,
- hostilities,
- refugees,
- domestic violence,
- mobbing.
Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder is manifested primarily by a feeling of strong fear at the memory of the experience. Other symptoms include insomnia and nightmares, intrusive thoughts about the traumatic event, avoidance of situations and places that remind of the trauma, and irritability and concentration problems.
PTSD negatively affects daily functioning and social relationships, and if left untreated, it leads to the development of depression, anxiety disorders, addictions, and sometimes suicidal thoughts.
Treatment of PTSD
Psychotherapy is used in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder – including cognitive-behavioral and psychodynamic therapy.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy involves modifying abnormal patterns of thinking and behavior associated with a traumatic event. Psychodynamic therapy, on the other hand, focuses on working with unconscious emotions that have arisen as a result of trauma and on understanding the impact of past experiences on current life.
In addition, relaxation training, psychoeducation and, if necessary, pharmacotherapy also play an important role. The treatment time is usually from a few months to several years.