PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is a psychiatric disorder which occurs after experiencing a deadly scenario, either in military combat, serious road accidents, sexual and physical assault in children and adults, natural calamities, or terrorist attacks (Roberts, 2011). After sometime, victims of PTSD tends to recover, however it may not be that easy for them, since they may not be able to conduct their daily activities at ease. Similarly, they may have stress reactions which may not go on their own, and the condition may also worsen over time. Those who suffer from PTSD tend to experience flashbacks, and nightmares, which makes it hard for them to sleep, hence feeling estranged (Taylor, 2017). The symptoms of PTSD vary, according to the scope of the situation which led to the incident. Most of those suffering from PTSD may therefore have different symptoms, with others being affected by incidents which may make them to remember the past experiences, hence becoming a lifetime condition which recurs from time to time (Ritchie, 2017).  

PTSD Treatment and Side-effects

PTSD methods of treatment is include medication and psychotherapy. A PTSD treatment is conducted after a comprehensive assessment of the symptoms are carried, to ensure the treatment is appropriate for the condition (Ritchie, 2017).

If one has experienced PTSD for of less than 4 weeks, then an approach commonly known as watchful waiting may be used. This is a type of approach which requires close monitoring of the condition, to understand if it worsens over time or not. The follow up process takes place for a period of one month (Taylor, 2017).

If the PTSD persists, psychotherapy is usually recommended as the first approach.  Psychotherapy and medication go hand in hand particularly if the condition is severe and it persists. Psychotherapy is basically used in the treatment of mental health conditions which may include: PTSD, anxiety, compulsive disorder, and depression (Roberts, 2011).

Psychotherapy is majorly carried out by trained medical practitioners who take time to listen to the victim and help the victim to come up with operational strategies to solve the issue. There are different types of psychotherapy used in treating PTSD, which may include the following, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), and group therapy, which are also old methods of treating PTSD (Taylor, 2017).

CBT is a therapy type which intends to help victims of PTSD to manage their issues through changing their ways of thinking and acting (Roberts, 2011). It consequently uses a variety of psychological treatment approaches which helps victims to come to terms with the distressing event. For instance, a therapist may ask a victim to focus on other experiences in detail, thus confronting the traumatic memories (Ritchie, 2017). During this period, the therapist allows the victim the cope with stress, while at the same time identifying unhelpful thoughts which might be affecting the victim. In that process, the therapist can help the victim to gain control of the distress and any form of fear, through changing the victim’s negative way of thinking, thus leading to a positive way of thinking. This process may last for up to 8-12 weeks, before a victim fully recovers from the condition.

EMDR is new form of treatment which is effective in reducing the effects of PTSD. In this approach, the victim is supposed to follow the movement of therapist’s finger, through maintaining an eye contact with the movement of the finger, while thinking about the post-traumatic event (Taylor, 2017). It is not that clear how the method works, but it helps the victim to change negative way of thinking, thus being able to focus. However, the method has been found to be effective, hence it is used in the treatment of PTSD (Roberts, 2011).

Group therapy involves different people suffering from different types of PTSD, who come together to discuss their experiences. In the process, they tend to recover, and see how serious their conditions may not be, hence recovering from the disorder.

Medication and its side effects      

In PTSD treatment, antidepressants like, paroxetine, mirtazapine, phenelzine, sertraline, and phenelzine may be used in the treatment of adults (Roberts, 2011). These drugs are considered only if the other methods of treatment have not proven to be effective. Antidressants are used to reduce any forms of symptoms associated with depression, and may also help in solving sleeping disorders. It is however recommended to people above the age of 18 years. Common side effects include: anxiety, sleeping disturbances, irritability and intense dreams (Taylor, 2017).            

Prognosis of PTSD  

PTSD is severe without treatment, and victims may experience mental health problems, thus making it hard for them sustain their families (Roberts, 2011). However, if treatment is administered earlier, then the chances of changing the way a person behaves and relates with other people is likely to change. In addition, those who have recovered from PTSD, particularly soldiers, have been able to inspire suffering from the condition, thus making them to recover from the condition. Out of those treated, 90% of them have been able to fully recover from the condition, hence being a source of inspiration to others, and also becoming caring to their families (Taylor, 2017). 

Reference

Taylor, S. (2017). Clinician's guide to ptsd, second edition: A cognitive-behavioral approach. Guilford Publications.

Roberts, C. A. (2011). Coping with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Guide for Families. Jefferson: McFarland & Co., Publishers.

In Ritchie, E. C. (2017). Intimacy post-injury: Combat trauma and sexual health.