PTSD
Experiencing — or even witnessing — trauma can have lasting effects
Experiencing — or even witnessing — trauma can have lasting effects
Close to 1 in 11 Americans will experience PTSD in their lives.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health disorder that we’ve become more aware of in recent years, but that doesn’t mean we fully understand what it is and how it works. PTSD develops after someone witnesses or experiences a traumatic event. The event could be life-threatening, such as an accident on the highway, a shooting incident, or an assault of any kind. But other non-dangerous events can cause PTSD as well, like the illness or death of a relative.
While it’s perfectly normal to experience fear throughout our lives in reaction to most traumatic situations, what is not normal is continuing to live in this elevated state for long periods of time. PTSD can be broken down into four stages: the impact stage, the denial stage, the short-term recovery stage, and the long-term recovery stage.
When we experience something traumatic, our “fight or flight” response kicks in. Our minds send our bodies into survival mode, raising our heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing. Specific hormones are released to reduce the feeling of pain and enhance our physical capabilities so that we may hopefully get out of harm’s way in the instance of a real threat.
As you can imagine, if the body were to remain in this heightened state for an extended period of time, the effects could be damaging. If left untreated, PTSD can cause consistent feelings of anxiety and fear, leading to social isolation, low self-esteem, and even self-harm. Furthermore, it can lead to other co-occurring disorders, like depression or alcohol and drug abuse.
PTSD has a profound effect on our brave men and women in uniform. Here are some alarming stats from the US Department of Veterans Affairs:
You don’t need to have seen combat to experience PTSD, though. It’s not even necessary to have spent time in the military. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America and the American Psychiatric Association, here are the PTSD numbers for the general US adult population:
If you believe you or a loved one might be experiencing PTSD, here’s what to look for:
If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with PTSD or think that you are suffering from it, The Meadows is here to help you find relief. Our intensive outpatient facilities in Texas, Arizona, and California are equipped with highly trained mental health professionals to treat your condition. Learn more today by reaching out to our intake specialists.