You think it will never happen to you, but PTSD can affect anyone.

What is post traumatic stress syndrome?

Post-traumatic stress disorder, generally abbreviated as PTSD, is a real anxiety disorder; it is a mental medical condition. It happens when you go through a very dangerous, scary, or traumatic event. For example, you were injured after a fire or became the victim of a crime.

It is also possible to develop PTSD even if you are not directly affected. You may have seen a horrible civil war in Sudan on television and started to think that it could happen in your own land.

Those who suffered from depression or have family members who were diagnosed with anxiety disorders are more likely to develop PTSD.

What are the symptoms of PTSD?

The diagnosis of PTSD can sometimes be challenging, as the lack of negative response to the traumatic event may already be a sign or symptom. It could be your way of building a “fortress” that separates you from the source of your trauma. The problem with this is that sooner or later this wall can be knocked down and you can have a nervous breakdown.

Also, PTSD doesn’t happen right away at all times. Sometimes it will take months or even years before symptoms are noticed.

However, keep an eye out for the following. These are the typical symptoms of PTSD:

• Regards
• Change in sleep patterns and recurring nightmares.
• Memory loss (traumatic events are repressed)
• Sudden changes in your mood
• Irritability and sudden intense anger
• Indifference or numbness
• Withdrawal from society
• Presence of feeling of guilt or hopelessness.
• Anxiety and panic
• Self destruction
• Hallucinations or delusions

How do you cope with traumatic stress disorder?

Treating or controlling PTSD does not happen overnight. It can take weeks or even years. But surely as long as you follow a good plan, you can overcome it.

Doctors would normally recommend medications to help control symptoms. These medications include antidepressants for anxiety or sleeping pills. However, it is not a good idea to be completely dependent on them due to substance abuse. It is best to combine them with natural methods.

For one thing, you can undergo exposure therapy. You are exposed to the causes of your PTSD slowly but regularly. The purpose is to allow you to confront and deal with triggers without getting angry or upset.

Another is the cognitive behavior approach. The goal is to change your negative thoughts into positive ones. It is very common among counselors or psychologists to use subliminal messages.

Subliminal messages are positive statements. They are repeated over and over again to allow them to penetrate your subconscious mind. The subconscious mind does not have the ability to filter information, making it more receptive to subliminal messages.

As you go deeper into your subconscious, you will begin to function as your new belief system. You will begin to fill your mind with more positive thoughts and images.