Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS) is a debilitating condition that develops follows a terrifying incident. Life threatening events such as serious accidents, natural disasters, muggings, rapes or torture can cause PTS.
Sufferers of PTS repeatedly relive the trauma in the form of nightmares and disturbing recollections during the day. They experience sleep problems, depression, feel detached or numb, and are easily startled. They lose interest in things they used to enjoy and have trouble feeling affectionate. They may feel irritable, more aggressive than before, or even violent.
Ordinary events can serve as reminders of the trauma and trigger flashbacks or intrusive images. A flashback may make the person lose touch with reality and re-enact the event for a period of seconds or hours or, very rarely, days. A person having a flashback, which can come in the form of images, sounds, smells, or feelings, usually believes that the traumatic event is happening all over again.
Not every traumatized person gets full-blown PTS, or experiences PTS at all. PTS is diagnosed only if the symptoms last more than a month. In those who do have PTS, symptoms usually begin within 3 months of the trauma, and the course of the illness varies. Some people recover within 6 months, others have symptoms that last much longer. In some cases, the condition may be chronic. Occasionally, the illness doesn’t show up until years after the traumatic event.
Antidepressants and anxiety-reducing medications can ease the symptoms of depression and sleep problems, and psychotherapy, including cognitive-behavioural therapy, is an integral part of treatment.