Understanding Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Its Link With Suicidal Behavior

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD is one of the most common emotional problems in the United States. It can have a devastating effect on an individual’s life. Many people suffering from PTSD become depressed, lose their jobs, and can become socially inept. Fortunately, there are some treatments for PTSD available. One of the most effective of these treatments is called psychotherapy.

The concept behind this treatment is that stress from traumatic events affects the way that a person processes information. This is because the brain is specifically designed to treat threats, which makes it difficult to process emotional information. Common symptoms of PTSD include insomnia, depression, irritability, flashbacks, nightmares, and anxiety.

For many years, researchers have been trying to determine how to treat post traumatic stress disorder. Although several medications have been developed to treat PTSD, scientists have yet to come up with a drug that can effectively treat this condition. Psychotherapy, however, has been found to be an extremely effective way of treating this condition. A study completed by the National Institute of Mental Health found that patients who were administered a combination of counseling, medication, and behavioral therapy had significantly fewer symptoms of PTSD than those patients who received only counseling alone.

There are two main types of treatments available for PTSD – exposure therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. In exposure therapy, patients are exposed to their threat as if it is a truly dangerous situation. Cognitive behavioral therapy, on the other hand, deals more with the patient’s thinking processes.

Exposure therapy involves being placed in a situation where they may be faced with their greatest fears. Often, individuals suffer from PTSD often have feelings of panic and anxiety when confronted with actual trauma. A therapist will use a variety of techniques and exercises to help sufferers manage these feelings and slowly work them out of their system. After several weeks, many individuals find that their symptoms are reducing and that their fears are dissipating.

Another research study done by colleagues at the John Hopkins University found that social phobia and alcohol use disorder were two of the main reasons why patients presented with PTSD after a traumatic event exposure. Although PTSD can also occur immediately following exposure to a traumatic event, most often it is a symptom that develops over time. Those who suffer from PTSD often report feeling nervous and having increased symptoms of restlessness, irritability, and hyperarousal after exposure to their traumas. Symptoms of these disorders can interfere with work and relationships, which can lead to depression and a lack of confidence.

Patients with PTSD commonly turn to drugs and alcohol to ease the discomfort associated with their symptoms. Unfortunately, these methods often increase the symptoms of PTSD, further exacerbating the difficulty of living with PTSD. For example, those who abuse alcohol and drugs may find that they develop compulsive behavior patterns that are related to their addiction. Because they feel an intense need to do these things after exposure to their traumas, their bodies become reliant on them and they become dependent on them for relief. The cycle of dependency can then lead to severe problems that can negatively affect the sufferer and their families. In some cases, PTSD leads to sud dependency.

When comparing and dependency to that of PTSD, it is clear that there is a significant difference. Sud dependency is often associated with crack cocaine, marijuana, heroin, and methamphetamines and this addiction poses a serious risk to the health and safety of those who use these drugs. However, most sufferers of PTSD have been found to be addicted to alcohol, which can cause a number of serious health problems, such as liver disease, heart attack, stroke, and even an accidental death. This suggests that patients who suffer from PTSD should receive counseling and treatment that involve both psychological and physical measures. If you or someone you know may be suffering from either of these disorders, you should seek professional help immediately.