Coping with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

“Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder” Refers to an illness that occurs after the patient has had a serious mental illness. It can be a serious event with fatal results. that happened to him, such as a car accident, a vehicle rollover, or a veteran who was on the battlefield to a point where he almost lost life or limb Or you may see a very violent incident happen to someone that you love. Or is it something that is seen time and time again, like the police who have to work with violent cases? and living with violent events every day As a result, mental and physical symptoms appear.

Patients have the same physical response to other anxiety disorders, including tremors, excitement, panic, fear, rapid heartbeat, sweating, palpitations, and when encountering certain stimuli that are close to a big event. Bring that knowledge back to the patient.
Avoid things that remind you of these events, such as places where violent incidents took place. Causing memories of that event. and he must try to avoid it

emotional symptoms Patients with this disease will feel calm, uninterested, and not in a good mood. These symptoms must persist for 1 month or more after the violent event. So it will be considered as this disease.

Patients often come to the doctor with symptoms such as nightmares and extreme fear when they are exposed to stimuli that remind them of violent events. Several patients did not come to see the doctor in person. Because of fear of having to see a doctor Or feeling like you don’t want to reveal something that is bothering you. Lest other people think you are unusual. In such cases, it is often relatives or people around who notice that the patient is unhappy, has nightmares, and is often afraid. I’ll take you to see a doctor.

The doctor will take a history of how long these symptoms have been present. What event did you encounter? If it is consistent with the events or symptoms mentioned above. It will be determined that “Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)”

The fear that occurs in this disease occurs every day, so the patient is always stressed. Another problem that can occur is depression. Have suicidal thoughts because he is not happy Constantly reliving violent events So that there are problems with daily life, such as veterans when they hear loud noises. It makes you think back to your time on the battlefield. It affects daily life.

Treatment usually uses a combination of two treatment methods as follows:

1. Treatment using medicine It is a medication used to treat depression. The main drugs used are a group called Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, which have been proven to reduce symptoms and treat this disease.

2. Treatment with psychotherapy By letting the patient know what his benefits are. How to deal with stress? What does he do well? Because this group of patients, when they have symptoms The brain always thinks about bad things. There is fear everywhere you look. feeling uncertain Because I only look back on big events. Think about negative things. which is in fact Each person has a positive side or a side that is a strength. Have the resources to take care of yourself, therefore, to treat this disease It starts with how the psychologist helps the patient stay positive or strong. Until the brain and mind come back and look at the good side of itself.

The next step in treatment is to invite the patient in gradually. Against the bad experiences he encountered Once the patient is able to live with the bad event, they can change their perspective. or change to see that patient in this terrible event He can handle himself. and at the same time There are positive aspects of life that slowly make him free from fear. or to avoid that situation However, we should not forget that treatment is the main treatment for this disease.

“Post-traumatic stress disorder” is a disease that can be completely cured. It depends on the severity of the patient’s experience. It usually takes a certain amount of time to heal.

1. Get enough sleep
2. Take care of other physical health
3. Psychological care Making patients feel relaxed, reduce stress, and able to live normally in society.

You must consider whether that person is at risk of a serious incident, such as certain occupations that are very dangerous, such as soldiers, police, officers involved in crime. Attention should be given to and education that these issues affect the mind. You should take care of your own mind before experiencing these events. or after a violent incident Can I come back and take care of my own mind? Can we come back and take care of our minds with people who work in the same profession? It will help to prevent this disease to some extent.

Resources
Prof. Kan Chamroonroj Department of Psychiatry Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital Mahidol University