How to Manage Stress and Information on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Mental Health > How to Manage Stress
Stress has seeped into our daily lives, as a menace and an ailment. The pace, the pressures, the expectations, and the demands on our time make it difficult to avoid stress and its build-up. What we can do, however, is acknowledging its presence and gearing ourselves to stay on top of it, and yet, be able to meet our deliverables.
In small doses, it contributes in driving us on, but when stress overwhelms us into states of depression, anxiety, restlessness, headaches, dizziness, and excessive fatigue then it may drive us to the doctor. Timely medical help goes a long way in dealing with this, along with an effective support system, counseling and awareness. We need to accept
The doctor is more a friend, a partner, who helps us in dealing with the threat that is stress. Complete honesty in sharing our emotional and physical feelings helps her in identifying any underlying ailments or psychological disorders. These, along with required clinical tests, will lead us to the source of the symptoms, and thereon, to the treatment/therapy.
Besides, there is a lot we can do ourselves. No one knows our circumstances, and us, as we know them ourselves. Identifying and fine-tuning the various triggers of stress to our comfort levels is a challenge. We all have our own stress-busters, and time we got them out of the closet. Of course, it is always useful to couple them with any medical interventions and counseling.
Prevention remains better than cure. Despite the demands on our time, and us, we still owe ourselves a protection from this potentially debilitating hazard. One needs to imbibe certain lifestyle changes. Taking out time for soothing/relaxing activities, exercising regularly, respecting one’s comfort levels/zones, setting realistic goals etc are just some of them. However, most importantly, it takes a positive outlook and correct perspective to make stress the least of our worries.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Cause of PTSD
The exact cause of PTSD remains to be debated. However, it is agreed that a defining factor is that a person with PTSD must have experienced a profoundly distressing event, such as a natural disaster, assault, combat, or serious accident. The disorder tends to be more severe when the stressor involves deliberate human malice as opposed to a twist of fate or bad luck. But because not all people who experience a serious stressor develop PTSD, other variables, such as personality and biology, may play a role in development of the disorder. Research suggests children are more susceptible to PTSD than adults when exposed to a similar stressor. People who have had prior psychiatric treatment are more vulnerable to PTSD. This is thought to be true because their previous illness reflects greater sensitivity to stress.
Medications
Benzodiazepine may be temporarily prescribed to help sleep patterns return. Small doses of may also be prescribed temporarily to ease the intense feelings of distress. Antidepressants have been shown to reduce nightmares, flashbacks, panic attacks, and episodes of anxiety. Also, some people with PTSD develop major depression and benefit from the antidepressants. It is generally believed that medications should be used along with therapy. Therapy is required to help the person work through the traumatic memories. Drug therapy may improve the success of therapy by increasing a patient's motivation and easing anxiety.