PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)
Here at Aptiva Health Mental Wellness, many of our patients who have experienced a trauma come to us with symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PTSD is a common psychological response following significant traumas. Here are the key highlights of PTSD due to a collision:
Traumas may trigger PTSD due to:
Threat of harm – either injury or death, or psychological harm to self or others: Being involved in or witnessing a severe trauma where there is a genuine fear for life, observation of serious injury, or psychological harm can trigger trauma responses for those not prepared to address such hardships.
Abruptness and Severity: The quick and forceful nature of physical trauma or impact of psychological harm can cause shock to a person’s brain and body as such stressors are beyond the normal, everyday events we are accustomed to manage.
Loss of Control: Incidents often occur without notice causing people to become aware or reminded that they aren’t always in control and this loss of control can happen abruptly. This loss of control plays a significant part in the development of PTSD. People who wish to prepare themselves for the hardships in life, must come to terms with situations for which we are not in control. Otherwise, such events can cause a person to lose trust in their ability to navigate the hardships of life.
How often do people develop PTSD due to a trauma?
It depends on the context of the trauma. With auto accidents, for example, the data shows that up to 30% of individuals involved in severe collisions develop PTSD. However, there are times that people develop PTSD symptoms for milder traumas sometimes due to prior traumas or perceived threat regardless of how founded the actual threat was.
What are common symptoms?
Some of the PTSD symptoms we see often at Aptiva may include (but are not limited to) re-experiencing the trauma that may involve flashbacks or nightmares, upset digestive system, avoidance discussing or being reminded of the incident, changes in mood and cognition such as memory difficulties and depressive thoughts, and heightened arousal causing problems such as difficulty sleeping, restlessness, irritability, fast speech, and so on. We encourage you to rely on professionals to assess your needs rather than friends, family, or the internet. Mental conditions are complicated for which professionals in mental health have years of training and experience to ensure you receive the best of care.
It is also important to know that a person’s mental state (including PTSD) can complicate recovery from physical injuries which may lead to chronic pain, disability, and hinder the overall rehabilitation process if not treated by professionals.
What are the factors that increase the risk of developing PTSD after a trauma?
These factors may include how severe the trauma was (but not always), pre-existing mental health conditions, prior traumas, lack of social support, and the person’s perceived threat to life during the incident (as opposed to actual threat). If you have been in a trauma, please do not be alarmed if memories of prior traumas surface. This is sometimes seen under these conditions and can be addressed. Seek professional care if they persist.
Here at Aptiva Health, PTSD is diagnosed by our psychologically or psychiatrically licensed providers based on well established guidelines. To be diagnosed with PTSD, symptoms must persist for a month but do not wait a month to seek out professional care. The more quickly the symptoms are addressed, the better the prognosis for recovery and the more quickly a person is likely to recover from debilitating anxiety. Early screening for PTSD symptoms after a trauma can help identify those in need of treatment.
Our providers use effective treatments for PTSD that include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), particularly trauma-focused CBT, mindfulness and, when warranted, psychiatric medications.
