Are you unable to overcome traumatic experiences that happened in the past? Do you have troubled sleep and a constant feeling of fear and anxiety? Depression, anxiety, and panic are some of the first symptoms that show in post-traumatic stress disorder.
PTSD is common in the U.S. among firefighters, combat warriors, and adolescents. Post-traumatic stress disorder develops when panic and anxiety after a traumatic incident are not sorted out even after the tragic incident is over. Instead, the sense of panic and anxiety continues for many months or years of having witnessed the tragic incident. In such cases, depression and symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder or PTSD begin to appear.
Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder include anxiety and depression due to trauma experienced before. These symptoms of PTSD may range from re-experiencing the event, preferring to avoid reminders of the event, and increased anxiety, panic, and emotional arousal.
The following are some of the symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder commonly seen:
- Flashbacks — feeling and acting as if the event is happening again
- Nightmares
- Intense and characteristic physical reactions when reminded of the event. These symptoms of PTSD may include pounding heart, rapid breathing, nausea, muscle tension, and sweating.
- Loss of interest in activities of regular life
- Loss of memory or inability to remember particular aspects of the traumatic incidence
- Feeling detached and emotionally numb
- Having depression and a sense of a limited life
- Panic and anxiety stretching into the night causing difficulty in falling asleep
- Inability to have sound sleep regularly
- Difficulty in concentrating is also one of the important symptoms of PTSD that demonstrates persisting anxiety
- Irritability, short temper, and sudden outbursts of anger are other prominent symptoms of PTSD associated with panic
- Hypervigilance or staying in a state of constant red alert is also one of the symptoms of PTSD associated with anxiety
- Being easily startled and being panicky are other symptoms of PTSD
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Treatments to Alleviate Panic, Anxiety, and Depression
- Cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder. It helps expose those with PTSD to their own emotions and feelings that are causing panic and anxiety.
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) treatments are provided to PTSD patients to resensitize them and remove the freeze, a numb mode that they might be in due to stress and anxiety.
- Family therapy is powerful in post-traumatic stress disorder treatments since it allows family members to realize the impacts and causes of depression and offer appropriate support. Gradually, this treatment helps those with PTSD to get over their depression and anxiety.
- Anti-depression medications such as Prozac or Zoloft are prescribed as a part of the treatment to those with PTSD, which help the patients feel less sad and worried.
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