PTSD which is also known as Posttraumatic stress disorder, can be defined as a variety of anxiety disorder which occurs after an event which can be termed as a scary one. In some cases, you might not be involved in the event, but the thought of hearing it, might be so intense, that you could have a difficult time living your usual life.
People who have PTSD, are usually down with insomnia, which is the inability to sleep properly; flashbacks, low self-esteem, and painful emotions. On a regular basis, you might find yourself replaying the event, or forgetting about the whole event.
Those who have PTSD, usually feel like they have lost the entirety of the sanity of their minds and hence, they cannot live a normal life again. However, the good news is, it can be treated.
To begin with, a therapy session is quintessential, and there are two types:
Cognitive processing therapy: This involves having a discussion with a therapist concerning the whole event, and how you have been thinking about it so far, and you would be asked to put everything in writing. This form of therapy is necessary, as it helps you examine your thoughts about your trauma, and putting up new ways on how to cope with it.
This form of treatment usually goes on for 12 weeks, with about 60-90 minutes weekly.
Prolonged exposure therapy: This therapy involves some breathing techniques which would aid you to ease anxiety. You will be asked to list things you have been avoiding, and how to confront them. You will also be asked to restate the whole experience to the therapist, and then you will be required to listen to your own recording, over and over again.
This form of treatment usually involves 8-15 sessions, 30 minutes each.
Eye movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is another form of PTSD treatment. You will be needed to watch or listen to whatever action you are carrying out. There is no need to recount the whole event to the therapist. The goal of this form of treatment, is to enable you think positively. The entire session lasts for 3 months, holding every week.
Stress Inoculation Training can also be carried out on traumatized patients. Here, they will learn breathing and massaging techniques, and other methods of stopping negative thoughts by relaxing the body and mind.
Medications such as Fluoxetine, Paroxetine, Sertraline and Venlafaxine can also be used in the treatment of PTSD.