Is There a Cure for PTSD?
For people suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the condition can be debilitating and exhausting. In addition, many individuals find their lives forever changed by the condition. Does PTSD ever go away?
What Is PTSD?
PTSD is categorized as a mental health condition that typically develops when individuals experience a traumatic event. PTSD can affect anyone of any background at any age.
PTSD symptoms can be mild or severe, depending on the event experienced. Some events that cause PTSD include war, car accidents, assaults, or abuse. PTSD may come on within a month of a traumatic event like a car accident, or it may emerge after many years, as in the case of child abuse.
Individuals with PTSD experience a variety of symptoms that influence their everyday lives. These symptoms can include flashbacks, nightmares, changes in mood, and depression.
Because of the symptoms, individuals with PTSD may have difficulty concentrating, suffer from feelings of shame, or even blame themselves for the traumatic event.
What Experiences Can Cause PTSD?
PTSD can be caused by a variety of traumatic experiences, whether emotional, physical, or mental. The event can be mild or severe with symptoms typically reflecting the severity of the event. Some experiences that can trigger PTSD include:
- War, even as a civilian
- Physical or sexual assault
- Domestic or intimate partner violence
- Natural disasters
- Serious accidents, such as those involving a plane, car, boat, ATV, motorcycle, or other kinds of vehicles
- Childhood abuse or neglect
- Medical trauma, such as suffering a heart attack, severe illness, surgery gone awry, or another type of medical trauma
- Death of a close relative or friend, especially when it’s witnessed firsthand
- Being the victim of a kidnapping, hostage situation, or another type of violent crime
Who Is at Risk of Developing PTSD?
Not everyone will develop PTSD after a traumatic event, but one in three people who experience trauma will develop symptoms. Some factors predispose people to develop PTSD symptoms.
Previous Trauma
People who have experienced previous trauma may be more susceptible to PTSD simply because there is a cumulative effect of trauma taking place. The intensity of trauma can also influence who will develop PTSD. Some traumatic events are more severe than others, and the psychological and emotional damage they have can last for years.
Preexisting Mental Health Conditions
Individuals with pre-existing mental health conditions, such as those suffering from anxiety or depression, are more predisposed to developing PTSD. Genetic factors play a role, too. Individuals with a family history of anxiety disorders may have a higher chance of developing the condition themselves. Some studies show that brain structure, especially in the areas of the brain that are associated with regulating emotions and stress, can increase the risk of some people developing PTSD.
Lack of a Social Support System
People with little social support may be unable to reach out for help. Their isolation and inability to talk about their experiences with family members and other loved ones could put them at a higher risk of developing PTSD. Individuals who have poor coping mechanisms may also be at a greater risk of developing PTSD.
Occupational Hazards
Working at certain occupations simply exposes people to more trauma. These include military personnel, police officers, first responders, and healthcare professionals, like doctors and nurses, who work in emergency departments or ICUs.
What Are the Symptoms of PTSD?
PTSD has an array of symptoms, ranging from minor to severe. Here are some common ones.
Intrusive Thoughts
Many people suffering from PTSD suffer from intrusive thoughts that bring back memories of the event. These thoughts can present themselves in the form of nightmares, flashbacks, or images. The intrusive thoughts often come on suddenly and can make people feel like they are reliving the event.
Avoidance
Individuals with PTSD typically go out of their way to avoid thinking or talking about the traumatic event. This may mean avoiding conversations, people, activities, or even places that may bring back memories.
Negative Mood and Thought Patterns
People suffering from PTSD often feel guilt or shame and sometimes blame themselves for the traumatic event. Other times, their shame warps their view of themselves and the world. This negative outlook can manifest as anger, depression, anxiety, or sadness. Often, people struggling with PTSD will withdraw from friends and family. They may also talk about suicide or hurting others.
Physical Changes
PTSD can often affect the way that people sleep. Individuals may suffer from insomnia or hypersomnia (oversleeping). There may also be changes in their eating habits and their routine. Some may have difficulty concentrating or pursuing their usual activities. Individuals with PTSD may also become extremely sensitive to situations that they perceive as potentially threatening.
Self-Medicating
Because the symptoms of PTSD can be severe, some individuals may turn to drugs and alcohol to cope. The drugs and alcohol may serve two purposes: managing PTSD symptoms as well as coping with the traumatic events. If misusing substances becomes part of their routine, the person could become physically or psychologically dependent on it.
Does PTSD Ever Go Away?
PTSD varies from person to person. Some will experience severe symptoms, while others may have mild symptoms that dissipate with time. PTSD isn’t necessarily a lifelong condition, especially if the person is proactive about getting treatment and building a support system.
Depending on the traumatic event, some cases of PTSD do resolve after a few weeks. For others, the symptoms remain dormant until an event triggers a reminder. In all cases, however, individuals can see a significant improvement in their symptoms if they get effective treatment. Therapeutic approaches like behavioral therapy can help people talk about their trauma and, as a result, find a way to heal.
While some may see their symptoms disappear almost entirely, others may never fully heal. Factors that affect whether PTSD goes away completely include the severity of the trauma and whether there are co-existing mental health conditions.
Early intervention and a comprehensive treatment plan, however, do show promise. And when the two are effectively combined, individuals can lead a normal life.
Can PTSD Lead to Depression?
Because of the severity of some PTSD symptoms, there is an increased risk of those with PTSD developing depression. In addition, there can be an overlap between the symptoms of PTSD, such as negative thought patterns, and feelings of depression. This interaction can negatively affect relationships and work life. Individuals may also experience feelings of hopelessness like those experienced in depression. Here are some ways that PTSD can lead to depression.
Negative Thought Patterns
Both PTSD and depression involve negative thought patterns that can spiral into feelings of shame, guilt, and self-loathing. These feelings may lead to thoughts of suicide — a common characteristic of both PTSD and depression.
Social Withdrawal
PTSD symptoms can sometimes lead people to avoid anything that reminds them of their trauma, leading them to withdraw socially. This social withdrawal and ultimate isolation can lead to depression.
Fixations on Trauma
Some individuals suffering from PTSD may fixate on their trauma, reliving the moments again and again to determine what they could have done differently. Reliving traumatic moments can lead to depression and feelings of failure or hopelessness.
Emotional Sensitivity
Those with PTSD tend to be emotionally hypersensitive and vigilant, perceiving threats in otherwise non-threatening situations. These extreme emotional responses can be exhausting and can lead to feelings of being misunderstood as well as depression.
Sleep Disturbances
Finally, individuals experiencing PTSD often have trouble sleeping. Disturbances in their sleep patterns may lead to fatigue, irritability, and eventually depression.
What Treatments Are Available for PTSD?
With a comprehensive treatment plan, the symptoms of PTSD can be alleviated, and individuals can resume a normal life. However, treatments must be based on the trauma as well as the symptoms experienced. Here are some effective treatments for PTSD.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on changing negative thought patterns and feelings into positive patterns. CBT uses emotional processing theory and social cognitive theory to help reduce PTSD symptoms. CBT also provides skills to help individuals manage stress and deal with triggers.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
EMDR helps individuals process their trauma differently. Individuals are asked to pay attention to movement or sound while recalling their traumatic moments. By reprocessing their memories, they can effectively reduce their emotional impact. Individuals are not asked to talk about their trauma, but they are asked to think about their trauma during therapy sessions.
Psychodynamic Therapy
Psychodynamic therapy is a type of talk therapy that explores unresolved conflicts related to a traumatic event. The therapy tries to get the client to understand the impact of the trauma and its effects on everyday life, such as guilty feelings, problems with authority figures, anger, and so on. Psychodynamic therapy emphasizes the individual’s relationship with others and tries to improve those relationships by analyzing the person’s trauma.
Mindfulness-Based Therapies
Mindfulness-based therapies are targeted therapies that can help individuals manage their stress, nightmares, flashbacks, and any anxieties related to their trauma. Besides one-on-one talk sessions, these therapies often combine meditation, yoga, or other stress-relieving activities.
Individual Psychotherapy
Individual therapy that is customized to an individual’s needs can be particularly effective in reducing PTSD symptoms. Therapists can provide skills to cope in everyday life as well as tips on how to manage depression, anxiety, and fears. Individual psychotherapy may combine different types of talk therapy based on what the therapists’ clients prefer or need.
Group Therapy
Some individuals with PTSD prefer to share their experiences with others who have had similar experiences. This supportive environment can lessen feelings of isolation, provide a sense of community, and reveal the different ways others deal with trauma. Group therapy can also be effective for people who aren’t comfortable with one-on-one therapy sessions.
Are There Medications That Can Help Alleviate Symptoms of PTSD?
Besides talk therapy, medications can be part of a comprehensive treatment plan to treat PTSD. Healthcare professionals typically prescribe medication to help with symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances. Here are some medications that are used to treat PTSD.
Antidepressants
Antidepressants are commonly prescribed for individuals experiencing PTSD. There are three FDA-approved antidepressants for the treatment of PTSD:
- Sertraline (Zoloft)
- Paroxetine (Paxil)
- Venlafaxine (Effexor)
Anti-Anxiety Medications
Doctors may also prescribe anti-anxiety medications to help individuals who suffer from severe anxiety problems. These drugs are often for short-term relief and calm the central nervous system.
Alpha-1 Blockers
Although alpha-1 blockers like Prazosin are typically used to treat high blood pressure, they can also help improve sleep for individuals suffering from PTSD. Alpha-1 blockers have been shown to decrease the brain’s response to fear.
Reach Out to the National Depression Hotline
The National Depression Hotline is a resource for people suffering from depression and PTSD. If you need to speak to someone at any time, the hotline is available 24/7. We can also provide resources and connect you with specialists. Get help today.
