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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a psychological condition experienced by persons after witnessing a traumatizing event. It can be self experience like sexual assault or witnessing a loved one go through the same. Not all persons respond to a traumatic event similarly. Some people may develop the disorder immediately while others may take a longer period of time. Stress, depression, irregular heartbeats and frequent headaches are signs of trauma. Additionally, nightmares, hyper vigilance and avoidance of people are other major signs. Drugs and substance abuse is another symptom of trauma. Treatment techniques of traumatic stress disorder involve the application of behavioral, body and drug therapies. Doctor’s advice is highly recommended for significant outcome.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Introduction

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental-related turmoil that arises as a result of exposure to a horrific activity. This condition can occur after personally experiencing the event, or when a close relative of friend was involved. Death of a loved one, natural disasters, sexual assault, accidents, or battles are some of the examples that can lead to the traumatic conditions. Research indicates that Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder occurs within a period of six months after the distressing activity. For some people it may start immediately while for others it takes some period of time before symptoms are experienced (Craig, 2008). However, not all activities are listed under the clinical standards as traumatic; they depend on the amount of shock and an individual’s ability to resist. The Scottish comedian, Billy Connolly, has recently showed a sign of someone suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. In what he described as “terrifying”, Connolly suffered memory loss of a recent performance in Belfast. The incident saw Connolly stopping several times in the midst of the story, sometimes going as far as asking his audience to remind him what he was talking about. He even joked about it, and confessed that he didn’t know what he was talking about.

Recent scientific studies show that traumatic experience can cause a temporary to permanent damage to a human brain. For instance, recurring experiences of the horrifying events may put an individual’s brain in a state, where they feel the activities taking place on a continuous process. Instead of developing a healing pattern, the individual remains static at the same condition, because the brain is set to expect more of the events (Simpson, Simpson, 2002). Such scenarios occur, because a human brain is programmed in such a way that they respond to shock in a defensive manner. A person develops a biological mechanism, when faced with sexual assault. However, the aftermath of the mechanism can pose lasting problems to an individual. Nonetheless, when exposed to shock and terror, mostly, human bodies become weak; most of its parts function less. Therefore, memory is lost, while emotions and critical thinking ability are also lost. The effects may be very adverse and hard to contain. Treatment therapies may be provided, although a significant amount of time will be spent while adopting a healing process. In Billy Connolly’s personal life story, he candidly states in his book Billy, that he was sexually molested by his father when he was 10 up to 15. Since his father was a Catholic, he blamed the church, because his father couldn’t divorce his mother despite her having left the family.

Signs and Symptoms

Several signs and symptoms can be displayed by an individual developing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. However, not all people will possess the same signs. This is because all human brains are not programmed in the same manner; some people can adjust to the shock immediately, while others will respond in a terrifying way (Craig, 2008). Regular flashbacks of an incident are a clear sign that someone is traumatized by the activity. If an individual was involved in a plane crash, they may keep remembering the way the instance started and what was following next. This kind of scenario is disturbing. Some people may internalize the flash back; they even demonstrate the way they struggled to rescue themselves without their knowledge. Nightmares are also a possible sign.

Some people find themselves spending time alone in order to re-live the events of a horrific event they were a part of. Most of these people avoid company and often maintain silence. An individual, who was raped, may try to recall the incident; some focus on the way they would have defended themselves. Such instances do subject a victim to self blame, because they think they should have done better, so that they could be involved in the incident (Rosen, 2004). Considering that rape case may haunt a person for life. Some people focus on what the society will regard them and the ability to be overlooked. It is advisable for an individual to involve themselves in the activities they are interested in, so that they can divert their attention.

Again, hyper vigilance is a clear indication that an individual is traumatized; lack of rest and being anxious all the time (Rosen, 2004). Some people displaying such signs do not sleep at night. Further, they get easily irritated and remain more cautious, even when there is no probability of facing a problem. Moreover, stress, depression, and frequent headaches are more signs and symptoms. Too much indulgence in alcohol has been a perceived solution by many persons under trauma. Most of them think that when they are drunk they forget their life experience. Unfortunately, they feel more pain, when they come back to their senses; they start regretting their actions subjecting them to more traumatic conditions (Craig, 2008). Drug abuse is an option for some people; especially, the youths. Young people, who lose their parents through accidents or illnesses at a tender age, may view themselves as helpless and not worthy in the society. They end up inhaling cocaine and smoking weed, which tampers their normal reasoning (Simpson, Simpson, 2002). Because they do not want to face the reality on the ground, they opt to live an unexplainable life. Nevertheless, some people faced with terror events may start taking unnecessary painkillers and sleep inducing drugs. Such behaviors call for an immediate action. Diarrhea and muscle pain are some of the symptoms; however, not all people respond in this manner.

Traumatic experiences are terrifying, because human beings have set their minds in a state that they are always secure. No one ever wants to imagine being involved in a plane crash or being raped. These events are an indication that life is short and human beings are susceptible to death. Traumatic experiences act as a learning process to many people; especially to those, who emerge out of it. Traumatic conditions enable an individual to understand an occurrence better; some people go as far as research on the possible causes and prevention of an event (Simpson, Simpson, 2002). However, the event may make others dislike certain things associated with the happening; for instance, an individual, who loses their spouse or child through train accident, may vow never to board a train. Again, traumatic conditions can worsen in the event of trying to recover; especially, when more horrific activities are taking place (Rosen, 2004). If a relative was involved in an accident, the doctor may advise that their legs be amputated. Coming to terms with the fact that they were involved in a car and now they are losing their legs, which is a permanent condition. Additionally, anyone working in an industry, manufacturing explosives, where they handle heavy metals; impotence and infertility are the possible aftermath. Knowing that an individual can never have children is traumatizing. Further, those heavy metals may damage the same individual’s body functions and may even cause cancer.

Proposed Treatment

Since Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is emotional, it calls for psychological and physical treatment measures in order to cure the condition. Psychotherapies are imperative, while dealing with PTSD, because it is not easy to restore a human mind to its initial stage, but the only remedy is to adopt the new measures of dealing with the situation at hand. Some physicians would provide therapies to the traumatized individuals by allowing them to recall what happened during the incident and what followed afterwards (Simpson, Simpson, 2002). This method of healing is applied, so that a patient can have their memories back in order to avoid distractions through stress. If a victim is given enough time to recall every bit of occurrence, they develop a sense of security; hence, fear is eliminated. Such therapies take about ten weeks with the same specialist, of which each session lasts for approximately two hours. Sticking to the routinely therapies enables fast healing. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is advisable when taking through a patient through their experience (Craig, 2008). It enables a physician to establish whether the individuals is changing for the better or worsening.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Processing are essential approach that utilizes movements of the eye to enable the brain to process in an efficient manner (Rosen, 2004). This technique enables the brain to work on the flashbacks; hence, making some concrete ideas out of it. Group therapies are also vital; especially, when the group members had been involved in a similar traumatic event with others (Kosslyn, Rosenberg, 2004). It is argued that a human being can easily open up to the people, who have been through a similar problem with them, because they believe that such people will understand them better and will offer a suitable remedy. Use of the drug therapies is also mandatory while treating a traumatic event. Antidepressant drugs are used to help in reducing the intensity of the PTSD indications and reducing the level of depression (Simpson, Simpson, 2002). Over the counter drugs are discouraged; appropriate prescription by a doctor is advised. Doctor’s advice is imperative, so that the drugs given do not subject the patient to the side effects. However, all medications have side effects. If the prescribed drugs do not work, it is mandatory that the patient sees a doctor immediately, so that they he/she can be given other types of antidepressants (Kosslyn, Rosenberg, 2004). Moreover, body therapies are also significant; although, they do not directly influence the feelings. Body massage helps in relaxation; hence, stress is reduced.

Conclusion

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder can occur to anyone regardless of age and gender. However, response to traumatic events varies depending on an individual. Self experiences are more felt than getting the information from a third party. Depression, stress, and a sense of fear and distress result from horrific events. Drug and alcohol abuse are the aftermath of the terrifying events for many people; especially, for the youth with the perception that they want to forget the reality. Therapies provided by a qualified physician are advised. Drugs should only be prescribed by a medical doctor. Therefore, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder can lead to the permanent brain damage and acute memory loss if immediate actions are not taken.