Why PTSD Isn’t Just for War Veterans

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Why PTSD Isnt Just for War Veterans
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• First appearing in 1980 in the third edition of
  the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
  Disorders (DSM-III) published by the American
  Psychiatric Association, post-traumatic stress
  disorder (PTSD) is suffered by individuals who
  have experienced severe trauma in their lives.
  While the nature of the trauma can vary, PTSD is
  perhaps best known for its association with
  service men and women returning from conflict,
  and many are unaware (or unaccepting) of the fact
  that just about anyone who has been through a
  traumatic event, can suffer from this mental
  health condition.

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• What are the symptoms of PTSD?
• For many individuals, the symptoms of PTSD can be
  overwhelming, and often involve recurring,
  distressing and upsetting memories of the trauma
  that are hard to stop, along with flashbacks,
  night sweats, insomnia and panic attacks. Many
  sufferers have a tendency to isolate themselves
  from friends and family, and in extreme cases,
  may struggle to combat suicidal thoughts or even
  attempt to take their own life.

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• Several other mental health conditions such as
  obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression and
  generalized substance abuse can also appear
  alongside PTSD.
• What happens to the brain when people experience
  trauma?
• Research by the U.S. National Library of Medicine
  shows that several areas of the brain change when
  a person experiences trauma firsthand, including
  amygdala, hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex
  these changes can also be lasting.
• What are common risk factors for PTSD?
• Typically, anyone suffering with PTSD have
  experienced one, or a combination of the
  following events

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• Long-lasting trauma
• Childhood sexual abuse
• Other types of childhood trauma
• Lack of a strong support system
• Witnessing someone else getting hurt
• A history of substance abuse

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• What should you do if you think youre suffering
  from PTSD?
• Sadly, its impossible to control traumatic
  events and your exposure to them, but thankfully,
  there are steps you can take if youve
  experienced trauma and are struggling to cope.
  Seeking treatment from a mental health
  professional such as a psychiatrist or
  psychotherapist, can be instrumental in the
  healing process of anyone suffering from PTSD,
  and the sooner help is sought, the sooner the
  individual can begin leading a more fulfilled,
  contented life.

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• Are there any barriers that prevent PTSD
  sufferers from seeking treatment?
• From a lack of knowledge about the availability
  of mental health resources or a lack of access to
  them, to insurance issues, discrimination or a
  physical disability, there are several barriers
  that can prevent a person living with PTSD from
  seeking the treatment they need in many cases,
  there is often a stigma associated with seeking
  treatment from a psychotherapist or counselor,
  too.

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• That said, the global mental health community has
  been working tremendously hard in recent years to
  address these barriers and the many other issues
  PTSD sufferers face, and with the introduction of
  telehealth such as e-counseling (talking to a
  mental health professional over the phone or
  computer) and efforts to break down the stigma
  surrounding mental health concerns, things are
  slowly but surely getting better.
• Its important to understand that while PTSD is a
  serious illness affecting many millions of
  individuals all over the world, it is treatable,
  and many individuals who seek treatment, go on to
  lead fulfilled lives, full of love and happiness.
  Working with a counselor or psychotherapist is
  the first step for anyone on their healing
  journey, and can help relieve feelings of
  isolation, depression and anger.

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• If youre struggling to cope with a past trauma
  that has deeply affected you, remember that
  youre not alone, and help is out there.
• Doral Psychotherapy offers online counseling
  services including therapy for Anxiety, Trauma,
  Depression, Grief, PTSD counseling in Doral FL .
  Gabriela is a licensed mental health counselor in
  Florida. If youve been feeling hopeless or lost
  lately, or struggling with a problem in your life
  that feels unsurmountable, individual counseling
  could help you. Our telehealth solution allows
  you to schedule an appointment directly online
  and have the entire therapy session take place
  digitally. If you are looking for a trauma
  therapist in Doral, FL or online therapy for
  depression or anxiety or any kind of individual
  mental health issues, contact us at ?(786)
  843-9527?.