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Reminisce on a certain event that altered you as an individual. Think of the worst thing that has ever happened to you. Think back on all the adversity you have faced over the course of your life. Relive this horrible event. Replay this memory constantly, over and over, like a broken record. Picture exactly what was happening, where it was, and the sounds that you heard or perhaps, those that you did not. Over and over. Consecutively, these events are constantly replaying in your mind. Nobody else can see what is going on, nor do they know or will they understand what is going on in our minds at the time.
The description above is a vague depiction of the minds of victims of post-traumatic stress disorder. Individuals are diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder prior to experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. These events could include but are not limited to, war (combat, deployment), death of a loved one, mental health conditions, car accident, sexual assault, and natural disasters. Post-traumatic stress disorder does not discriminate against race, size, age, gender, or occupation. Individuals who are diagnosed are victims. The person did not do anything to bring this event onto themselves and is not at fault in any manner. Victims are traumatized by the distressing experience, and nobody chooses to be traumatized.
According to the American Physicatric Association, “PTSD affects approximately 3.5 percent of U.S. adults, and an estimated one in 11 people will be diagnosed PTSD in their lifetime.” We can identify through the above statistics that the disorder is common. If it is so common, why is the stigma surrounding the diagnosis and treatment so negative in society? Individuals are afraid to get help, they are scared to speak up, and they feel as though their thoughts and feelings are not valid. To victims, PTSD feels like a boulder sitting on their shoulders, a record that keeps playing, or a chime dangling over their heads – affecting every move, their days, relationships, and lives. Victims feel as though because they hold certain roles in their lives such as – athletes, veterans, soldiers, and leaders, they should be tough because that is what the specific position entails them to do. That they perhaps, do not have a reason or right to express these feelings or emotions. Victims become plummeted with the stigma that they should not feel this way and are a failure for doing so. However, that could not be further from the truth. The disorder exists and must be discussed. The idea that these individuals can not be knocked down, defeated or express feelings keeps them from getting help. As humans, we are trained to override or blow off these feelings because ‘well, everyone gets nervous sometimes’ or ‘the flashbacks will always come back’ – just come off the stereotypes that are pounded into our minds. However, post-traumatic stress disorder is not something that an individual can mentally override. These feelings do not go away.
PTSD symptoms must be present in an individual for over one month to be diagnosed with the disorder and can last anywhere from a few months, to years or a lifetime. It all depends on the circumstance and the person. Post-traumatic stress disorder impacts individuals in a variety of ways. The disorder puts strains on every aspect of their life, including, relationships, daily life, and sleep. These strains could potentially lead to negative behavioral actions, such as lashing out (getting angry quickly, impulsive actions) or isolating themselves from the people they love. Normal aspects of life begin to look like threats to individuals. For example, if someone has trauma related to domestic violence, objects coming too close to their body may be a trigger for the individual. In addition to threatening aspects, daily tasks begin to look overwhelming to those with PTSD. For example, picking up their home or taking out the trash becomes very exhausting and emotionally dreadful.
Victims feel a hidden wound and silent strain along with psychological and behavioral aspects. Because the disorder is not visible to the eye, it becomes harder to discuss what is truly going on in the individual’s head. David Griego served in Iraq in 2008 and Afghanistan in 2012, he says – .“Sometimes you find yourself saying, I wish … I would have lost a body part, so people will see—so they’ll get it.” (National Geographic, Healing Soldiers). Psychological aspects come in forms such as re-experiencing trauma through nightmares, flashbacks, and intrusive thoughts. Behavioral aspects might be avoiding certain situations and environments that remind an individual of the trauma, being hypervigilant (constantly on guard, concerned), and possibly hyperarousal (startled by the smallest trigger to remind someone of the trauma). When children are diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, they may act out the experience through play. More specifically, children recall the experience by having their toys act out the experience.
Although there is a stigma surrounding treatment, there are lots of options for individuals. The first option is psychotherapy, which is talking things out through therapy. Talk therapy options include exposure therapy and group therapy. Both of these options provide victims with a safe environment to relive the experience. Reliving the experience and talking it out can be effective because individuals can gain new perspectives on the situation and is a large step in the healing process. Thoughts, conversations, and emotions help to make the victim feel not so alone in their experience. Pharmacotherapy is another option as well, which would be prescribing medication to the victim. Cognitive-behavioral therapy appears to be the most promising option for individuals. This option includes eye movement desensitization and reprocessing and is trauma-focused. Therapies for post-traumatic stress disorder may ignite the victim’s memory in recalling the experience.
All aspects of the disorder are very much a burden and unfortunate to all involved, however, with treatment, things can get better for individuals. There is no save-all cure or singly identified cause. In the Blast Force article from National Geographic the author discussed this, “Despite the prevalence of the condition, the most fundamental questions about it remain unanswered. Not only is there no secure means of diagnosis, but there are also no known ways to prevent it and no cure. Above all, there is no consensus within the medical community about the nature of the blast-induced injury or by what mechanism blast force damages the brain.” (Caroline Alexander). I would have to agree with her when she states that the medical community can not seem to agree about the effects and the best treatment, however, this might be due to the fact the disorder has risen in the last 2 decades but was often not discussed before then.
I chose this concept for my piece because the topic hits very close to home. Although I do not have any current family members who are deployed or serving in combat, PTSD is still something my family deals with every day. I was diagnosed and began treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder in February 2019. I was in a rollover car accident in November of 2018. Shortly after the car accident, I was waking up in the night with nightmares horrific enough to make me scream and burst into tears uncontrollably. I could not control my thoughts. I assumed it was the concussions mixed with general anxiety. However, symptoms persisted and began worsening. I went to my family physician and shortly after, began psychotherapy. Although there are still lots of triggers (glass shattering, loud booms) and thoughts that go on in my head surrounding the trauma, I have seen so much growth. The disorder kept me out of my favorite things, sporting events, travel, and being with people that I love. I felt as though if I talked to someone about it, I would be perceived as weak or silly for thinking I had it because, after all, I am not a veteran. However, PTSD does not discriminate and anyone is subject to diagnosis. It may be more common in vets, but the discussion is open to anyone and our communities must be aware.
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