【医学英语】What Is PTSD Exactly?

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What Is PTSD Exactly?

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A huge misunderstanding around Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is that it’s most prevalent in military personnel and veterans, but based on calculations from government data, about 90% of people with PTSD have never been to war. Instead, they are survivors of abuse and assault, car accidents, natural disasters, and other forms of trauma. This condition affects their everyday lives, which begs the question: What is it like to have PTSD?

In any given year, about 8 million Americans deal with this condition. It can arise after significant trauma and cause flashbacks, severe anxiety, nightmares, and extreme sadness. 

People with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder can feel emotionally numb, even with those they’re close to. They might have trouble sleeping, get startled easily, and lose interest in their passions. It can affect someone’s work, home and social life. 

After a traumatic event, most people heal fully in a few weeks or months, but those who don’t can go on to develop PTSD. The condition could arise right after the event or show up years later. It can occur at any age and last anywhere from one month to several years. 

One of the main defining characteristics of PTSD is the flashbacks, also called intrusive memories. These experiences seemingly bring the individual back to the moments of the trauma. While they may not visually see what they experienced, they feel it all over again. These flashbacks can come out of nowhere or be brought on by a trigger. For example, if you got shot outside a convenience store, a car backfiring may remind you of the gunshot and bring you right back to that horrific moment. 

People with PTSD may stay away from people, places or activities that remind them of the trauma to avoid being triggered. 

Other defense mechanisms come into play subconsciously with PTSD. People may have trouble remembering major parts of a trauma and even repress memories completely. It’s thought that this could be the brain’s way of protecting someone from the traumatic memories. This could mean that someone might not remember being shot outside that convenience store at all.

There are a number of differences in brains of people with PTSD. The amygdala, which is tied to fear processing, and the left hippocampus, which is partially responsible for memories, are smaller in people with PTSD. It’s also thought that the brain’s Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal axis can’t regulate stress hormones properly, contributing to PTSD symptoms and causing intense waves of stress, fear, and depression.

Other physical effects of PTSD can be found in the neural, endocrine and immune systems. This disorder has even been directly linked to increased incidences of autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal disorders and infertility. 

Anyone who has experienced a trauma is susceptible to PTSD. But people with childhood trauma, poor support systems, or history of mental illness or substance abuse are all at increased risk of developing PTSD. Women and girls are also more likely to experience sexual abuse or assault, which can be a contributing factor to this huge influx of female PTSD. 

Unfortunately, societal support for PTSD survivors is lacking, especially for those outside the military, but getting help is crucial. You can reduce the risk of developing PTSD after a traumatic event by seeking out support from loved ones, support groups and professionals. You will be okay.

Links to free resources are down in the description below. Are there any other conditions you’d like us to explore? Let us know in the comment section below.

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