PTSD AWARENESS MONTH

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition in which people experience a variety of symptoms following exposure to a traumatic event. These may include flashbacks, nightmares, intrusive thoughts, anxiety, avoidance, and changes in mood and thinking.

An estimated 6.8% of U.S. adults experience PTSD. Symptoms may include re-experiencing the traumatic event, avoiding reminders of the trauma, startling easily, and having negative thoughts and beliefs.

What causes PTSD?

Causes of PTSD include abuse, violence, natural disasters, accidents, terrorism, illness, or the sudden death of a loved one.

There are a number of factors that can play a role in how people respond to traumatic events. Genetics, for example, can influence how people handle stress during and after a trauma. People may be more likely to develop PTSD if they also have an existing mental health condition, have experienced trauma in the past, face other life stressors, and lack social support.

The DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition) defines PTSD triggers as exposure to actual or threatened:

• Death
• Serious injury
• Sexual violation

Furthermore, the exposure must result from one or more of the following situations, in which the individual:

• Directly experiences the traumatic event
• Witnesses the traumatic event in person
• Learns that the traumatic event occurred to a close family member or close friend (with the actual or threatened death being either violent or accidental)
• Experiences first-hand, repeated, or extreme exposure to averse (unpleasant) details of the traumatic event (does not learn about it through media, pictures, television, or movies, except for work-related events)

Signs That Someone May Have Been Through a Traumatic Event

Simply put, it depends. Even if you’re very close to the person, you might not notice the common symptoms of trauma, which can include appearing shaken up and “out of it.” A person may also dissociate or disconnect—for example, may not respond to your questions or comments, as if he or she weren’t there.

However, other signs that a person is traumatized may be easier for you to spot:

• Anxiety, which may appear in the form of, for example, edginess, irritability, poor concentration, mood swings, “night terrors,” or panic attacks
• Emotional outbursts or moods such as anger or sadness
• Physical signs can manifest as a racing heartbeat, fatigue, paleness, or they are lethargic.

Risk Factors

• Trauma exposure is the initiating factor behind PTSD, however, there could be additional influential elements to consider.
• Not everyone who experiences trauma will develop post-traumatic stress disorder.
• Although it is nearly impossible to determine with certainty who will experience PTSD after trauma and who won’t, we can consider the following risk factors that might contribute to the likelihood of developing post-traumatic stress disorder.

Genetic Factors

Research continues to explore the role of genetics in the development of PTSD. There have been studies showing genetic influence on the development of mental health conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder, and researchers are finding genetic influence in the development of PTSD as well.

Women are considered more likely to develop PTSD than men. The prevalence of PTSD over the lifespan has been found to be 10 percent to 12 percent among women and 5 percent to 6 percent in men.

Societal Factors

Social support, or lack of, is a critical risk factor. Those who are limited in options for social support can be at greater risk for PTSD. After the traumatic event, the need for safe support resources is essential to help individuals process their experience in a healthy way and to regain hope through secure and safe emotional connections.

Those with more avoidant coping strategies will be less likely to utilize supportive resources or seek healthy connections after experiencing a traumatic event. People who try to generally cope with challenges in isolation may be at greater risk for developing PTSD.

Other Factors

Another risk factor in the development of PTSD after a traumatic event is having experienced another trauma in the past. The impact of trauma has been found to have a cumulative effect. This means that a trauma survivor who did not previously show symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder could develop PTSD after subsequent trauma.

A history of struggling with a mental health condition prior to the traumatic event can also be a risk factor in the development of PTSD. It has been shown that existing mood disorders, anxiety-related disorders, and conduct disorder can be influential risk factors.

Life stressors are a risk factor as well. When people are currently experiencing life stressors such as divorce, financial strain, work stress, or for children who are experiencing emotional challenges at school or home, the likelihood of developing PTSD can increase.

The nature of the triggering event is something to consider as an influential factor. It has been shown that the more intense the event, such as witnessing death or extreme violence or having been injured during the traumatic event, can be a risk factor.

When someone has experienced physical pain as a result of their trauma, such as with sexual abuse, the risk of PTSD can be greater, since the physical pain is a reminder of the traumatic event.

Helping Someone Cope With a Traumatic Event

It’s tough trying to help when a friend or loved one doesn’t want to talk about what happened. It can be hard to keep making the effort to get the person to respond, especially if you feel you’re being pushed away. But you’re in a good place to help when you:

• Understand the definition of a traumatic event
• Can identify some of the signs
• Are willing to keep offering help even if it’s not accepted at first

Remember, your caring support after a traumatic event may make a big difference in how well and how fast the traumatized person recovers.

Here’s to brighter days!