Imagine a friend, let’s call her Sarah, who went through a really scary experience, like a car accident. Afterward, Sarah started feeling really scared a lot. These feelings didn’t go away, and she found it hard to do everyday things without feeling on edge. This is what happens with PTSD, or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. People with PTSD may have nightmares, feel like they’re reliving the scary event, or try to avoid anything that reminds them of it.
It’s important to talk about PTSD because it can really impact someone’s life. It’s not something they can just get over. They might need help from mental health professionals to learn how to cope and feel better. So, if you want someone struggling with PTSD, then in this article, we will discuss 5 ways how PTSD affects mental health. So, understand PTSD with us to create a kinder understanding world for everyone.
Intrusive Thoughts and Flashbacks
Imagine watching a scary movie in your head, but it’s not fun because it makes you feel scared and sad. That’s how intrusive thoughts and flashbacks can feel for people who went through really scary things like big accidents. These thoughts can come up suddenly and make you feel like you’re reliving the scary moment. People who have experienced these scary things might have something called PTSD.
PTSD can make them feel scared even when they’re safe. But there are special doctors called mental health professionals who know how to help. They might use talking therapy or special exercises to help people feel better. If you or someone you know has these scary thoughts, it’s important to get help. You can call or text a special number to talk to someone who can help you feel better.
Avoidance and Numbing
Avoidance and numbing are common responses to dealing with the mental health impact of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Imagine someone who has experienced a really scary event. They might start avoiding things that remind them of it, like places or people. This is their brain trying to protect them from feeling scared again. Numbing is like a temporary shield. It occurs when a person feels disconnected from their emotions or even from reality because the memories are too painful.
When someone has PTSD, these feelings of avoidance and numbing can make it hard for them to talk about what happened or get help. But talking to a mental health professional, like a counselor, can really make a difference. They can use therapies like talk therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy to help manage those thoughts and feelings and start feeling better.
Hyperarousal and Hypervigilance
When someone has post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), their brain can act like a superhero on alert mode, always looking out for danger. This is called hyperarousal and hypervigilance. It’s like having a super-sensitive alarm system that goes off even for small things. Hyperarousal means being super alert all the time, like feeling jumpy or easily startled. Imagine if every noise made you jump.
Hypervigilance occurs when someone constantly scans their surroundings for threats. It’s like their brain is constantly on guard, even when there’s no real danger. These feelings can be really exhausting and make it hard to relax or sleep. But talking to a mental health professional, like a counselor, can help manage these feelings. They can teach strategies to calm the mind and body, like deep breathing or mindfulness exercises. Getting help is important and can make a big difference in feeling better and more in control.
Negative Changes in Thoughts and Mood
Imagine you go through something really scary, like a big accident or a big fire. After that, your thoughts and feelings might change in a not-so-good way. This is what happens to some people who have been through a traumatic event. They might start feeling really sad or angry for no reason, or they might get scared easily, even when there’s no danger around.
These changes in thoughts and mood can be signs of something called PTSD, which is like having scary thoughts and feelings that won’t go away. The National Center for PTSD says these symptoms must last for at least a month to be called PTSD. So, if you or someone you know has been through something tough and now has these negative changes in thoughts and mood, it’s important to get help.
Increased Risk of Substance Abuse
When something really scary happens, like a big accident or a big fire, it can make some people feel really upset inside. They might start having bad thoughts and feelings that don’t go away, even when they’re safe. This is called PTSD, and it can also make them more likely to use drugs or alcohol to try to feel better.
The National Center for PTSD says that if these symptoms last for at least a month, it might mean someone has PTSD. This is important because using drugs or alcohol can make things worse in the long run. So, if you know someone who has been through something tough and is using drugs or alcohol to cope, it’s important to talk to them and get help. Some special doctors know how to help people with PTSD and substance abuse problems feel better without using drugs or alcohol.
Summing Up On 5 Mental Health Impacts of PSTD
Understanding the mental health impacts of PTSD is crucial for supporting people with this condition. PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder, can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. Symptoms of PTSD may include flashbacks, nightmares, and avoidance behaviors. These PTSD symptoms can cause great distress and make everyday life challenging.
People with PTSD need to seek help from a mental health professional who can offer treatments like cognitive-behavioral therapy and talk therapy. Recognizing PSTD symptoms and getting help is a vital step toward recovery. For anyone wanting to learn more about overcoming PTSD, Out of The Storm by Chaplain Sy Alli is an inspiring read. Chaplain Sy shares his struggles with PTSD and his journey to find hope and happiness again. His story shows that even in the darkest times, there is always hope for a better tomorrow. This book is a testament to resilience and the power of faith and recovery.
