Traumatic shock can have dangerous mental and physical consequences

Watch out for post-traumatic stress disorder

Been exposed to a traumatic event such as a flood, losing a loved one, divorce,
a crime related incident or a bad car accident recently?
The good news is that you will most likely get over your terrible experience in good time.
Be aware, however, that some individuals who are exposed to very traumatic events end up suffering from a condition called post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD,
a condition that can devastate people's lives.
With July being Mental Illness Month GEMS would like to draw your attention to this condition and how to be on the lookout for it in order to ensure that neither you nor
a loved one becomes a statistic of PTSD

Most of the time people get over traumas without any long term problems, but sometimes individuals do go on to develop the symptoms of PTSD. Accurate figures for South Africans suffering from PTSD are not available, but one estimate suggests that around 1 in 50 South Africans are suffering from the condition, which would make it a very common problem.

As its name implies post-traumatic stress is a mental anxiety disorder that may develop after to any event that results in psychological trauma. Not everyone will develop PTSD after a traumatic event with some people being more susceptible to it than others. The nature of, how long and how stressful the trauma was that was experienced may also have an impact on whether a person develops PTSD or not.

Some common ‘triggers' of PTSD include:

• The experience of war and the destruction of communities
• Serious motor vehicle accidents, plane crashes and boating accidents
• Industrial accidents/accidents at work
• Natural disasters such as floods or storms
• Robberies or muggings
• Hostage situations and kidnappings
• Sexual assault
• News of a terminal disease
• Loss of a loved one
• Child abuse

Whatever its causes many experts believe that PTSD and its related psychological conditions are a significant health problem in South Africa and that the condition is an important mental illness that needs to be treated appropriately. Even though it is such a common condition nowadays the overall awareness of it remains inadequate.

It is important to note that an individual may feel fine after a traumatic event and not be aware of the considerable shock they have suffered. The may only become aware of its impact on their lives is when they start behaving in ways that are unusual for them.

PTSD can be a serious condition. The major symptom associated with PTSD is flashbacks, in which the person re-experiences the event. They may also suffer from startle reactions (extreme responses to normal events like banging doors, shouts, traffic noise) intrusive thoughts, illusions, sleep problems, nightmares and difficulties in concentration. Many people develop alcohol or drug addictions, or begin to abuse medication. Some individuals may experience lowered levels of self-esteem or even an increased level in anger and aggression. A PTSD patient may suffer depression, and feel detached from and begin to avoid others.

The condition can affect people of all ages. Some people think that young children are not psychologically affected by exposure to some traumatic events like community violence and family death because they are too young to understand or remember. However, studies have found post-traumatic symptoms and disorders among infants and toddlers.  Children's symptoms tend to be different from those of adults. Children with PTSD show disorganised, agitated behaviour and have nightmares that may include monsters. They may become withdrawn, fearful or aggressive and have difficulty paying attention. They may go back to earlier behaviours such as sucking their thumbs, bed wetting or separation anxiety. Other trauma-related reactions, especially amongst adolescents, could include lowered self esteem and body image, learning difficulties and risky behaviour.

The good news is that most people who are exposed to terrible trauma do not develop full-blown PTSD, and medical research has not yet established why it happens to some individuals and not others. It could be that certain people have a higher risk of developing PTSD, because of a genetic (inherited) tendency to be more sensitive to stress or to react more intensively to stressful situations.

And how is the condition best treated? It is often a good idea for sufferers to talk to an expert who is trained to deal with such conditions such as a therapist or counsellor.  Many experts recommend that people speak to a therapist or counsellor who follows a cognitive approach to counselling soon after the traumatic event. Some medications have also been shown to help PTSD sufferers who can discuss this with their doctors.

PTSD can be a debilitating condition and people should keep an eye out for symptoms in themselves or family members after a traumatic event. Spotting and understanding this condition can allow it to be treated timeously and appropriately.

Sources:
www.cureresearch.com.com/post_traumatic_stress_disorder, Statistics by country for Post -traumatic stress disorder.
Edwards, Davis (2005). Post -traumatic stress disorder as a public health concern in South Africa, Journal of Psychology in Africa, 124-127.
Resnick, H. & Kilpatrick, D. (1994). Crime related PTSD: Emphasis on adult general population samples. PTSD Research Quarterly, 5,1 7
www.nihm.nih.gov, Facts about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder DSM IV