How do you overcome post-traumatic stress?

Post-traumatic stress is a phenomenon that is behind some of the most damaging forms of psychopathology, and that is why psychologists emphasize the need to treat these complications as soon as possible, when the associated symptoms begin to appear to this.

However... How do you overcome post-traumatic stress? We will address this and other related issues throughout this article.

• Related article: "What are trauma and stressor-related disorders?"

What is post-traumatic stress?

The concept of post-traumatic stress refers to the main component of a psychopathological disorder known as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

This phenomenon, which is often described in diagnostic manuals within the category "Disorders related to trauma and stress factors", encompasses a series of symptoms linked to stress attacks linked to psychological trauma, and which can persist (appearing regularly in the person's day-to-day life) for years or decades.

Post-traumatic stress appears as a consequence of the consequences that a traumatic event leaves on the person; the latter is usually an event in which the person witnesses or suffers something extremely catastrophic or hurtful, either psychologically or physically.

For example, a car accident, a case of sexual abuse, an attack in the context of bullying, the unexpected death of a relative, etc. However, it must be borne in mind that going through one of these experiences does not imply developing post-traumatic stress; in fact, these cases are a minority.

On the other hand, another of the characteristics of post-traumatic stress is that it does not necessarily arise within a few minutes of having experienced the traumatic experience.

Symptoms

The main symptoms that characterize post-traumatic stress are the following, although they do not have to be all present in the person.

1. Flashbacks

Flashbacks are experiences in which memories linked to the traumatic event are "relived" as if they were part of the present, so that the person's consciousness focuses on that part of memory, also including the emotional charge (aversive and stressful) of that experience lived in the past.

On the other hand, the person cannot avoid the appearance of these mental "flashes", nor can he make them stop at will. They usually last a few seconds.

2. Dissociative symptoms

Beyond flashbacks, there are other psychotic symptoms associated with PTSD. The most common are depersonalization and derealization, in which the person experiences her body or the environment in which she is as if it were something from which she is emotionally disconnected: as if they were set in a play.

3. Sleep problems and nightmares

Sleep disturbances are also part of the common symptoms of PTSD. These bedtime complications can manifest as trouble trying to fall asleep, nightmares, and / or difficulties in maintaining a deep and consistent sleep.

• You may be interested: "The top 7 sleep disorders"

4. Mood disturbances

The person with PTSD goes through many situations in which her mood is altered by the influence of stress. Is irritable and easily bursts out of anger.

5. Tendency to avoid

The person with PTSD spends time avoiding places and contexts in which they feel they may have a crisis.

How is post-traumatic stress treated?

As we have seen, post-traumatic stress is a psychological disorder with great potential to damage people's quality of life. Fortunately, it can be treated; in this sense, it is recommended to have psychological and medical assistance.

Here we will focus on what is done for overcome post-traumatic stress from the psychological side, that is, intervention through psychotherapy.

1. Controlled exposure or systematic desensitization

These two procedures are widely used to favor the loss of sensitivity towards mental contents whose recall produces stress. During therapy sessions, psychologists create a context in which the patient learns to cope with these anxious experiences and gradually adjust to them, rather than trying to avoid them All coast.

2. Cognitive restructuring

Through cognitive restructuring, psychologists encourage the patient to detect beliefs that are has been holding on and that not only are they not really realistic, but they are also reinforcing post-traumatic stress disorder.

3. Establishing new habits

Psychologists help the person to develop habits that are not based on avoidance and that they allow him to return to normalcy as soon as possible.

Looking for treatment for PTSD?

If you think you are suffering from PTSD and are looking for professional help, please contact me. In my psychology center I can offer you the necessary tools to overcome this disorder, based on more than 15 years of experience treating patients. To see more information about my services, or my contact information, go to this page.

Bibliographic references:

• American Psychiatric Association (APA). (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing.
• Atwoli L., et. the. (April 2017). Posttraumatic stress disorder associated with unexpected death of a loved one: Cross-national findings from the world mental health surveys. Depression and Anxiety. 34 (4): pp. 315 - 326.
• Azcárate Mengual, M.A. (2007). Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Brain Damage. Madrid: Díaz de Santos.
• Mason, F., Lodrick, Z. (2013). Psychological consequences of sexual assault. Best Practice & Research. Clinical Obstetrics & Gynaecology. 27 (1): pp. 27 - 37.
• World Health Organization (1992). International Classification of Diseases and Health Related Problems, Tenth Revision (ICD-10). Geneva, Switzerland.