Coping with a traumatic experience can be hard but the repercussions of the event are much longer lasting and could result in post-traumatic stress disorder.
Lisa French was on the London bus that was attacked in the July 7 bombings. Two years later, she was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. Watch Lisa's story.
Coping with a traumatic experience
The death of a loved one, a sudden illness, rape, injury, violent attack, robbery or natural disaster are events that turn lives upside down. They can make you feel angry, bitter, fearful, sad or deeply hurt.
The emotions we experience during and after difficult times can be varied. We may struggle to understand why we feel the way we do.
If you have been through a difficult time and feel the effects, do not hesitate to speak to your GP. You may have post-traumatic stress disorder, and need support and treatment to cope.
How do you feel?
Post-traumatic stress disorder is a medically recognised anxiety disorder. It is a consequence of being involved in, or witnessing, an alarming event.
The symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder usually develop within three months of a traumatic event but they can take up to a year. There are three main types of symptoms:
Intrusion, where you constantly replay the event in your mind and find it difficult or impossible to take your mind off it. This can include flashbacks (sudden, unexpected memories of the event) and very painful emotions.
Avoidance, when you try to avoid the emotions associated with the event. You may:
- Feel numb, as though you can’t sense deep emotions.
- Feel estrangment and detachment, wanting to retreat from relationships.
- Feel depressed, guilty and anxious.
- Feel less interested in life.
- Avoid places, people or situations that remind you of the traumatic event.
- Avoid dealing with emotions caused by the event.
- Try to block out the pain by using alcohol or drugs.
Increased arousal, where you feel constantly alert and threatened. This can lead to:
- Being very alert to possible dangers.
- Being jumpy and frightened easily.
- Having a short temper, feeling snappy and irritable.
- Anger.
- Difficulty concentrating.
- Difficulty sleeping.
- Nightmares.
- Poor performance at work, school or in relationships.
If you're feeling the effects of a traumatic event, seek help. Your GP will ask how you're feeling, and discuss your symptoms with you. Usually, the symptoms must persist for a month before post-traumatic stress disorder is diagnosed.
Help is available
After a detailed evaluation, your GP will decide on a treatment plan, which will be tailored to your individual needs. They will explain the treatment plan to you clearly.
Your GP can refer you to a trained professional such as:
- a counsellor,
- a community psychiatric nurse,
- a psychologist, or
- a psychiatrist.
Health professionals will talk to you in the strictest confidence and be patient and understanding. Talking to somebody can be helpful as it gives you an opportunity to air your feelings. Only then can you begin to deal with them.
Psychological and medicinal treatment
Other treatment is based on psychological therapies and medication to help you cope with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.
Cognitive behavioural therapy is where you learn skills to help you change negative thought processes. This can be particularly helpful during treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder as it helps you gain control over fear and distress.
Exposure therapy, in which you confront the fears and relive the event, can seem daunting and stressful. But with the help of a trained therapist this could help you learn how to cope.
The most widely used medicines for post-traumatic stress disorder are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as paroxetine. These help reduce anxiety and depression and help you sleep. Your GP can advise you.
Moving on
General stress relief may also help. Think about what you enjoy, and what calms you down. It may be talking though your feelings with someone you trust or reading, exercise, a hot bath, massage or listening to music. Accept that you feel the way you do. It isn’t a weakness. Take time out for yourself and don’t push yourself to get ‘back to normal’ too soon.
Some people recover from post-traumatic stress disorder within a few months. But for others it can take years.
Things may not be the same as they were before, but that doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to enjoy life or feel happy again. You could come through the ordeal a stronger person.
