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