A traumatic event may involve any serious injury or death, or a near death experience. What are the symptoms of PTSD? The symptoms can start right after the trauma but sometimes may start years later, they include:
1. Intrusion - reliving the trauma through intrusive thoughts and feelings –e.g., upsetting memories, nightmares, or flashbacks of events.
2. Avoidance - Avoiding certain people or places that remind or trigger thoughts on the event or experience. 3. Alterations in cognition and mood - poor cognitive function and concentration. some individuals experience intense feelings – e.g., anger, fear, or intense worry. How can my doctor or nurse tell if I have PTSD? A diagnosis will be established by medical personnel based on your symptoms, a thorough history and examination. How is PTSD treated? PTSD is treated with one or both of the following:
1.Trauma-focused psychotherapy– This involves using specific techniques to talk or think about the trauma and how it has affected you.
2. Medicines – Doctors can use different types of medicines to treat PTSD. The right one for you will depend on your symptom profile. References: Up-to-date, American Psychiatric Association
