Post-traumatic stress disorder, How does it affect the dynamics of the home?

In stressful situations, the brain secretes hormones and chemicals to cope with events, which in a short period of time, return to their typical levels.

However, in post- traumatic stress disorder this is not the case, as the body continues to secrete hormones and chemicals even months after the event.

At present, specialists do not know for sure what the precise cause is that a traumatic event generated this syndrome in some people and not in others.

Genes, feelings, experiences and family support are suspected to play a fundamental role, so we will teach you more about PTSD and how to help those who suffer from it.

What is PTSD?

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychological health condition that can develop after experiencing or seeing any traumatic event.

This episode can be one that puts the victim's life at risk, such as war, a natural disaster, a car crash, or a sexual assault.

Or it may also be child abuse, the death of a loved one, or any event that is registered as traumatic, its intensity is not usually decisive for the diagnosis.

As we mentioned before in a traumatic situation the body makes us feel fear, this triggers a “fight or flight” reaction.

This response is adaptive and is the body's way of protecting itself from potential risks.

In cases in which PTSD is generated, the body continues to experience this response long after the situation arises, which generates the release of certain hormones, increases alertness, blood pressure, heart rate and breathing.

In addition, these have the possibility of appearing and disappearing for periods of time.

When should a mental health professional intervene?

It is called post-traumatic stress if the symptomatic picture prevails for more than 30 days.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) manifests as the frequent and uncomfortable memory of an excruciating traumatic episode.

If the symptoms persist after the event and interrupt the normal performance of your life, it is necessary to see a specialist.

Also, if you have the following symptoms:

Re-experience the events

Something reminds you of the trauma, and you feel that fear again, this can take the form of flashbacks, when you feel as if you are going through the event again, p esadillas or terrifying thoughts.

Signs of evasion

Trying to avoid situations, people or thoughts that trigger memories of the traumatic event.

Signs of hypervigilance and reactivity

These signals cause nervousness and put the person on alert, it is evidenced by feeling startled, tense, having difficulty resting, or having outbursts of rage.

Cognitive or mood cues

They consist of negative changes in beliefs and feelings that are made up of problems to remember relevant things about the traumatic event.

Negative thoughts, feelings of guilt or remorse, loss of interest in things you previously enjoyed, and trouble concentrating.

How can the family help the patient's recovery?

There is evidence that individuals who have been through a traumatic event who receive prompt psychological support and specialized counseling after suffering the triggering episode are less sensitive to post-traumatic stress syndrome.

So if you know of a family member who has witnessed an event of this type, recommend that they visit a specialist.

For your part, you can provide vital support, validate your feelings, be empathetic and actively listen to the fears or concerns that your family member or friend may have.

Let him or her know that you are there for him or her at all times and that it is normal for him or her to feel scared. Ask him how he can help you and be attentive to his needs.

You can also ask the therapist for advice on having more effective tools.

Available treatments

Post-traumatic stress disorder is primarily treated with the combination of two elements.

Psychotherapy that can be aimed at developing relaxation techniques, such as learning to breathe correctly in the face of a provoked crisis.

Or it may be directed to shock therapy, in which the experience is vividly recreated to help the victim overcome it and lose the fear it caused.

Repeated exposure to the traumatic experience in the dream reduces the discomfort itself, at first it is normal for discomfort to increase, but through therapy it decreases.

The other element is psychotropic drugs, which help keep anxiety and depression symptoms under control in order to address the disorder more effectively.