Introduction
Because of 9/11 and the heartbreak surrounding it, I wanted to focus the month of September on heavy topics such as PTSD. It’s important to discuss PTSD during times like these and not brush it under the rug. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a mental health condition caused after any sort of traumatic/tragic event, such as 9/11. Individuals diagnosed with PTSD will often relive the event, stay away from anything that reminds them of the trauma, have more heightened reactions to what other people would see as ordinary things (loud noises, things brushing up against them, etc.), and feel emotionally numb. Because of these serious side effects, it’s important to shed light on PTSD and break the stigma surrounding it.
Signs of PTSD
As mentioned earlier, one of the biggest aspects of PTSD is re-experiencing the trauma. They will relive the event against their will through flashbacks, nightmares, or other disturbing memories. It can be triggered by anything that reminds the individual of the event, even years after the event's occurrence. Some ways to cope with re-experiencing trauma are spending time with loved ones, seeking out support groups and places that make you feel safe and comfortable, and most importantly, being kind to yourself.
Another one of the most common symptoms of PTSD is avoidance. What I mean by avoidance is going out of their way to not be reminded of the event. This can be by avoiding places, people, or activities that remind them of their trauma. However, they won’t just avoid tangible things. Avoidance also incompasses avoiding emotions that remind them of the trauma. A common example of avoidance is a veteran avoiding news about war by not having social media or not listening to the news. While this may be a temporary relief to people suffering from PTSD, it can become a problem in the long term. Because avoidance causes you to miss out on life, it can increase anxiety and worry. This is why most PTSD treatments will target avoidance and therefore help victims overcome their PTSD.
Negative changes in mood or thinking is another common PTSD symptom. After a traumatic event, a person is likely to experience never ending negative thoughts, impacting how they view life. Not only will they feel negativity regarding the event, but also about themselves. Blaming oneself for the traumatic event is a common response to PTSD. They will also have a more pessimistic outlook on the rest of the world, unrelated to the trauma they faced.
Lastly, a common symptom of PTSD is increased arousal. Increased arousal, or commonly referred to as hyperarousal, causes a person to feel constantly anxious and on edge. This can cause difficulty concentrating, trouble sleeping, irritability/anger, increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, and muscle tension. Even if the threat is no longer present, hyperarousal can cause a person to believe that it is. However, there are treatments for hyperarousal. One can seek out therapy, antidepressants/anti-anxiety medications, and healthier lifestyle changes. If you believe you’re experiencing hyperarousal, it’s good to be checked out by a doctor and take the appropriate measures from there.
It’s no surprise that any traumatic event can cause serious effects to the brain, even causing the entire structure of the brain to change. For example, when some experiences trauma, their prefrontal cortex can become less effective due to fear circuitry. This then makes it difficult to think rationally and make decisions, such as calling for help. The amygdala, the part of the brain that deals with fear and emotions, also becomes more active in people with PTSD. This leads to hyperarousal and increased anxiety. While the amygdala becomes more active, the hippocampus becomes smaller. Because of the traumatic nature of the event, the hippocampus (part of the brain that controls memory) will become less active in people with PTSD.
Memory is one of the most central parts of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. People with PTSD can have trouble remembering the trauma, remembering things in their everyday life, trouble with memory retrieval and creation, experience memory gaps, and experience increased forgetfulness. The two theories as to why memory is affected by PTSD are that PTSD can cause neurobiological abnormality, and that the person may have had pre-existing memory deficits that increased the risk of developing PTSD.
While PTSD can be a grueling thing to overcome, you don’t have to do it alone. There are several support systems for people with PTSD. First, there are support groups that people with PTSD can search online for. There is also psychotherapy available, which can help people with PTSD receive guidance. There is also the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), which offers a variety of resources for people with PTSD to check out. The National 211 referral line also helps people to connect with community services/support groups. Lastly, you can call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Hotline if you are struggling with suicide.
For seeking professional help for PTSD, there are many different people you can consult. There are psychologists, clinical social workers, licensed professional mental health counselors, psychiatrists, and a psychiatric nurse/nurse practitioner. There’s also the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's online treatment locator, which helps find mental health services in your area. There are also different types of psychotherapy someone with PTSD can choose between. One of the most well known is cognitive behavioral therapy, which focuses on exposure therapy and cognitive restructuring. There is also narrative exposure therapy, which helps with creating accounts of what happened.
There are also many self-care options available for people with PTSD. Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, muscle relaxation, yoga, meditation, and massage therapy can help with PTSD related trauma. You can also try to comfort yourself by doing anything that makes you feel calm, which can help to counteract the hyperarousal caused by PTSD. Journaling when a person with PTSD experiences a flashback also helps someone to identify potential triggers. Hydration and exercise also improve mood and sleep, as well as boost energy and strength. Lastly, social connections have a tremendously positive impact on mental health.
Conclusion
Because of how much PTSD can impact one’s life, it is essential to raise awareness about the risks and experiences of people with PTSD. This includes educating yourself on different symptoms, sharing information on social media regarding PTSD, encouraging people to seek professional help, be supportive of people with PTSD, and practice self care. I hope this article helps encourage anyone reading to seek help if they know someone struggling with PTSD!
Additional Resources