Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Treatment

What Happens in the Brain During Post Traumatic Stress Disorder?

Our bodies are amazing machines. They come with a built-in mechanism to protect us. The amygdala is a region of the brain that handles emotional regulation and memories. During a stressful or dangerous event, it sounds an internal alarm. This triggers the adrenal glands to release adrenaline, a hormone that increases your likelihood of survival.

Adrenaline raises heart rate and lung efficiency, which helps the body get oxygen to the brain and muscles. This is why survivors will often recall heightened senses during an event. Adrenaline also reduces pain levels and allows people to think quickly to make lifesaving decisions when it matters most.
 

Is There a Downside to Adrenaline?

Most of us have small bursts of adrenaline in everyday life. Someone cuts you off on the freeway, and you experience a moment of fear as you slam the brakes. Stress is a part of life, but after a minor stressful situation, the body’s adrenaline response dies down. Post-traumatic stress disorder occurs when the trauma is so severe that the body becomes stuck in that heightened state.
 

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms

Remaining in a heightened state of adrenaline is very unhealthy. It can cause a wide array of symptoms, including but not limited to:
 

• Reliving the traumatic events through flashbacks or nightmares.

• Difficulties sleeping or concentrating.

• Being unable to experience the normal range of emotion, also known as the flat effect.

• Experiencing bursts of rage or struggling to manage whatever emotions come up.

• Intrusive negative thoughts or feelings, such as the feeling of guilt or shame.

• Emotional reactions to loud or otherwise stimulating events that bring back memories of the trauma.

Are There Different Types of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder?

 

Dissociative

This type involves emotional detachment and dissociative symptoms, such as flashbacks or amnesia.
 

Uncomplicated

This is the most common type. It occurs when the patient experiences basic symptoms of the disorder without an overlap of other conditions, such as depression.
 

Complex

This is a serious type of post-traumatic stress disorder caused by prolonged periods of severe stress, abuse, or danger. Along with the usual symptoms, it can also present with physical issues, such as unexplained pain or sickness.
 

Co-morbid

This term represents cases of the disorder that present alongside another disorder. Common co-occurring disorders include depression, anxiety, or substance-use disorder.
 

What Misconceptions Do People Have About PTSD?

Misconceptions about trauma and its consequences are common. Those of us without personal experience with the disorder often form impressions of what it’s like through films or other media. While some portrayals may be more accurate than others, the difficulties and complexities of the disorder are hard to understand from the outside.
 

1. It Occurs Immediately

When you hear a story about a situation, it’s often condensed for time. Perhaps this leads the general public to have the impression that post-traumatic stress disorder occurs immediately after the traumatic event has taken place. In reality, the symptoms of the disorder often start to manifest around three months after the traumatic situation has ended. Symptoms can also continue to crop up throughout the years when triggered.

The nature of the trauma can play a role in how and when the symptoms develop. If the trauma came from a single difficult event, such as a car accident, the symptoms may arrive sooner. The victim of the crash is aware the event is over and can therefore begin processing the trauma.

If, however, the trauma was ongoing, such as an abusive relationship, it could take longer for the mind to relax enough to process what happened. Symptoms may continue to arise for a long time, especially when triggered by experiences in new relationships.
 

2. It Makes People Violent or Unable to Function

The severity of a reaction to a stressful event will vary person to person. Many people endure the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder while working a job, raising kids, or managing personal relationships. This disorder doesn’t have to ruin a person’s life, especially if they work with a professional to heal.
 

3. It Only Happens to Soldiers

Veterans who've spent time in active war zones often experience ongoing effects from the trauma. However, it isn’t only soldiers that end up with the disorder. Other stressful experiences and events, such as car accidents, serious medical conditions, or abusive relationships can also lead to the disorder.

People who experience childhood sexual trauma often end up with the disorder later in life. Their young minds can’t understand or cope with the abuse at the time. As the years go by, feelings that trigger memories of the abuse may arise, leading to symptoms.
 

Effective Treatment for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Cognitive-processing therapy involves 12 weeks of intensive work in both individual and group settings. Other options, such as exposure therapy, may also prove to be helpful. In some cases, medications help ease some of the symptoms as the patient continues to work through the therapeutic process.

If you’re suffering, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. Spark Wellness Group is ready to help you through this. Our Orlando psychiatry practice is dedicated to providing the highest standard of care for each patient. The team at Spark Wellness Group includes licensed professionals with years of education and experience in psychiatry and mental health.

We are ready to provide the compassionate support you deserve. To get started, please email us to schedule a consultation.