Quick piece of #MedEd #MentalHealthAwareness given the recent discussion around #PTSD
Q. What is PTSD?
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
It's defined as a complex set of responses to a traumatic event which persists for more than a month -- it lasts a while and this time can vary
Q. What is PTSD?
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
It's defined as a complex set of responses to a traumatic event which persists for more than a month -- it lasts a while and this time can vary
Q. What is a traumatic event?
ANY event that causes you to feel stressed, threatened or traumatised. People perceive these differently. Incl but not limited to: sexual or physical abuse, accidents, natural disasters, war, diagnosis of a terminal/severe illness, witnessing death
ANY event that causes you to feel stressed, threatened or traumatised. People perceive these differently. Incl but not limited to: sexual or physical abuse, accidents, natural disasters, war, diagnosis of a terminal/severe illness, witnessing death
Anyone who has witnessed or survived a traumatic event is at risk of developing PTSD.
Q. What puts people at risk?
Having an existing mental health illness, lower socioeconomic status, younger age when exposed to the trauma, LACK OF SOCIAL SUPPORT, prior traumatic events
Q. What puts people at risk?
Having an existing mental health illness, lower socioeconomic status, younger age when exposed to the trauma, LACK OF SOCIAL SUPPORT, prior traumatic events
having an initially bad reaction to the traumatic event, other exisiting illnesses like depression or substance use disorders.
Q. So what may happen to people who have PTSD?
- they have recollections of the event (eg: flashbacks)
- they can have persistent stress when frequently reminded about the event (eg: through pictures or sounds)
- they will try to avoid places or sounds which remind them of it
- they have recollections of the event (eg: flashbacks)
- they can have persistent stress when frequently reminded about the event (eg: through pictures or sounds)
- they will try to avoid places or sounds which remind them of it
- they may exhibit changes in their mood, which may become more negative towards themselves, consist of a lot of fear, horror, distress or guilt, lose interest in things which used to be important, detach from people around them and not be able to relate to positive emotions.
- they may become more irritable, have angry outbursts, have an overt reaction or response which may be seem disproportionate to the situation.
As you can see - the range of symptoms is wide and varies among people. They can also come and go throughout the course.
As you can see - the range of symptoms is wide and varies among people. They can also come and go throughout the course.
Q. So what can I do for someone with #PTSD?
If there is someone you think may have PTSD or is at risk of developing PTSD -- BE SUPPORTIVE.
Listen to them, make sure they know that you understand that their reactions are toward the trauma and not to you.
HELP IS AVAILABLE.
If there is someone you think may have PTSD or is at risk of developing PTSD -- BE SUPPORTIVE.
Listen to them, make sure they know that you understand that their reactions are toward the trauma and not to you.
HELP IS AVAILABLE.
St Giles Hospital on Reservoir Road has a qualified team of psychiatrists.
People living with PTSD need intense counselling and controlled exposure to their trauma which is done by a qualified professional.
Encourage and support them to get this help.
People living with PTSD need intense counselling and controlled exposure to their trauma which is done by a qualified professional.
Encourage and support them to get this help.
The biggest barrier in #MentalHealth is society.
We have to normalise seeking medical attention for #MentalHealth problems just as we do with sicknesses like the flu, a cough, chest pain, etc.
Encouragement and support for these people is the first step to getting better.
We have to normalise seeking medical attention for #MentalHealth problems just as we do with sicknesses like the flu, a cough, chest pain, etc.
Encouragement and support for these people is the first step to getting better.
Check in on your loved ones & anyone you think might have experienced something traumatic.
Don't let things slide, don't distance yourself from someone just because "they changed" or became withdrawn after something happened to them. Get help. TOGETHER. #MedTwitter
Don't let things slide, don't distance yourself from someone just because "they changed" or became withdrawn after something happened to them. Get help. TOGETHER. #MedTwitter
