PTSD Awareness
Many people feel extreme fear during or after witnessing or experiencing potentially traumatic events, such as severe abuse, accidents, natural disasters, sexual violence, or war/combat. Most people exposed to such events will experience distress but will recover naturally with time, support, and self-care. In fact, around 70% of people globally will experience a potentially traumatic event during their lifetime, but only about 6% will develop PTSD.
Some people, however, continue to experience a range of mental health conditions that can persist for months or even years, including PTSD, depressive disorders, anxiety disorders and substance use disorders.
Key facts
- An estimated 3.9% of the world population has had post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at some point.
- Most people exposed to potentially traumatic events do not develop PTSD.
- Support from family, friends or other people following the potentially traumatic event can reduce the risk of developing PTSD.
- More women are affected by PTSD than men.
- There are effective treatments for PTSD.
Self-care: Self-care can help reduce the risk of developing PTSD as well as managing PTSD symptoms and promote overall well-being. Following a traumatic event:
- Continue normal daily routines as much as possible;
- Connect with and talk to trusted people about what happened but only when the person feels ready to do so;
- Avoid or cut down on alcohol and avoid illicit drugs – they can make symptoms worse;
- Exercise regularly, even if it’s just a short walk;
- Maintain or develop healthy sleeping habits; and
- Learn stress management, which may include breathing techniques and progressive muscle relaxation.
Treatment: There are many effective treatments for people with PTSD. However, even though PTSD treatments work, most people who have PTSD don’t get the help they need.
Mental health interventions can help people learn new ways of thinking and coping that may reduce their symptoms. They can help people manage difficult situations and address the events, people or places that trigger their traumatic memories.
The interventions with the most evidence for effective treatment of PTSD are those based on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with a trauma focus including cognitive processing therapy (CPT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), and internal family systems (IFS).
If you or someone you love has experienced trauma, reach out for help. FourPoints Health has trauma trained therapists who are ready and willing to help. Give us a call!
More information on PTSD: click here