Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

PTSD or posttraumatic stress disorder has become more publicized in recent years but is mainly associated with soldiers who have served in combat situations or emergency responders (firefighters, police, ambulance workers). What most people do not realize is that it is not a disorder reserved strictly for military personnel.

PTSD can follow any event in which a person has been traumatized. A life-threatening situation, sexual violence, or even an accident that causes injuries can lead to PTSD. Some people do not even have to experience the incident but only witness it. If traumatizing enough, PTSD can develop.

Posttraumatic stress disorder is a mental illness. The memories of the event become intrusive in every aspect of life (work, relationships, physical health). Memories are powerful and can overwhelm the mind. In most people, dramatic experiences eventually fade and become more manageable. In patients with PTSD, the memory remains very vivid, sometimes so vivid it is like reliving the event over and over again. These thoughts cannot be controlled.

Every person experiences PTSD differently. The symptoms can range from nightmares to thoughts of suicide. The most important thing for someone experiencing any of these symptoms after a traumatic event is that they need to seek help as soon as possible. The professionals at Trinity Psychiatric Health are trained to diagnose and treat posttraumatic stress disorder at each level of severity.