Understanding PTSD

The title of this post was going to be ‘Understanding BPD and PTSD’; but, instead, I have decided to go with the more-accurate (in terms of this post’s content) and shorter title of, ‘Understanding PTSD’.

However, as promised, I will still be looking at the “crossover” between PTSD and BPD.

Understanding PTSD (Part-Two)  ~  posted 09/07/2012

The term Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) refers to a range of symptoms which are a response to a traumatic event (or, events) which undermine our sense of safety and security.

(PTSD is also sometimes referred to as PTSS (Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome.)

Symptoms of PTSD may not appear for some time – weeks, months and, even, years – after the traumatic experiences or event.

and;

Even if you’re not directly involved in a traumatic event, you can still be affected by the event and develop symptoms of PTSD.

It is perfectly natural to be affected by some of these symptoms after a dangerous and/or frightening event. 

Sometimes people are affected by very serious symptoms, which then dissipate within a few weeks – their symptoms could be diagnosed as ASD (Acute Stress Disorder).

When symptoms last for longer than a few weeks, and become an ongoing problem, then they may be the symptoms of PTSD.

and;

It is within the symptoms of PTSD and BPD where the crossover between these two mental health diagnoses’s becomes relevant. 

PTSD causes many symptoms, which can be grouped into three categories; “Re-experiencing symptoms,” “Avoidance symptoms,” and “Hyper-arousal symptoms.”

“Re-experiencing symptoms” includes those symptoms such as, flashbacks - repeatedly reliving the trauma, which can include physical symptoms such as a racing heart or shortness of breath; disturbing dreams; and, upsetting and frightening thoughts.

“Avoidance symptoms,” also known as “Dissociative symptoms,” include symptoms such as, staying away from anything that is a reminder of the traumatic experience; feeling emotionally numb (also known as dissociation); strong feelings of depression, guilt, or anxiety; a loss of interest in activities which were once enjoyable in the past; and, difficulty remembering the traumatic event.

“Hyper-arousal symptoms” includes symptoms such as, being easily startled or “jumpy”; feeling tense or “on edge”; insomnia and/or disturbed sleep pattern; and, angry outbursts.

Those whom have survived a traumatic, and/or near-death, experience tend to prefer to think of themselves as “Survivors” - as opposed to the term “Victim” - due to PTSD being a sign of a mind which has experienced something which has been stretched it beyond the normal human capacity for coping.

Some survivors have objected to the term “disorder” - but the diagnosis recognises the events and experiences, beyond our control, which have a lasting and damaging effect on a person’s mental health.

Initially, trauma tends to cause feelings of “numbness” – a stage which is sometimes referred to as “Being in denial.” 

But, although a person may seem in a state of “denial,” it is likely that on a sub-conscious level they are beginning to process the traumatic experience.

At first, talking about their experiences will most likely be the last thing a person wants to do; and pressuring or forcing a person to talk about their experience before they are ready can be extremely harmful, and increases the likelihood of them developing PTSD.

Different types of traumatic experiences affect people differently; for example, reactions/responses to pro-longed trauma (such as, survivors of repeated abuse), may differ from those whom are survivors of “Single event trauma.”

Responses, or reactions, to trauma differ from person-to-person, and people should be allowed to work through traumas at their own pace.

The symptoms of PTSD are a sign of a person who has seen too much, and whose mind has been stretched beyond the normal capacity for coping.


Understanding PTSD (Part-Two)  ~  posted 09/07/2012