Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health disorder that begins after a traumatic event. That event may involve a real or perceived threat of injury or death.

This can include:
•-a natural disaster like an earthquake or tornado.
•-military combat.
•-physical or sexual assault or abuse.
•-an accident.

People with PTSD feel a heightened sense of danger. Their natural fight-or-flight response is altered, causing them to feel stressed or fearful,even when they’re safe.

➖PTSD symptoms: PTSD can disrupt your normal activities and your ability to function.Words, sounds,or situations that remind you of trauma can trigger your symptoms.
Symptoms of PTSD fall into four groups:
▪️Intrusion
➿flashbacks where you feel like you relive the event over and over
➿vivid, unpleasant memories of the event
➿frequent nightmares about the event
➿intense mental or physical distress when you ➿think about the event

▪️Avoidance: Avoidance, as the name implies, means avoiding people,places,or situations that remind you of the traumatic event.

▪️Arousal and Reactivity
➿trouble concentrating
➿startling easily and having an exaggerated ➿response when you’re startled
➿a constant feeling of being on edge
➿irritability
➿bouts of anger

▪️Cognition and Mood
➿negative thoughts about yourself
➿distorted feelings of guilt, worry,or blame
➿trouble remembering important parts of the event
➿reduced interest in activities you once loved

▪️In addition, people with PTSD may experience depression and panic attacks. Panic attacks can cause symptoms like:
➿agitation
➿excitability
➿dizziness
➿lightheadedness
➿fainting
➿a racing or pounding heart
➿headaches

➖PTSD Diagnosis: There’s no specific test to diagnose PTSD.It can be difficult to diagnose because people with the disorder may be hesitant to recall or discuss the trauma, or their symptoms.A mental health specialist,such as a psychiatrist, psychologist,or psychiatric nurse practitioner,is best qualified to diagnose PTSD.

➖PTSD Treatment: If you’re diagnosed with PTSD,your healthcare provider will likely prescribe therapy, medication, or a combination of the two treatments. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or “talk therapy” encourages you to process the traumatic event and change the negative thinking patterns linked to it.In exposure therapy,you re-experience elements of the trauma in a safe environment.This can help desensitize you to the event and reduce your symptoms.