The Psychology of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

THE PSYCHOLOGY OF POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS
DISORDER
“They carried all they could bear, and then some, including a silent awe for the terrible power of the things they carried” - Tim
O’Brien (The Things They Carried)
Many of us all experience some kind of trauma during our lifetime. Sometimes, we escape with no long-
term effects, but for millions of us, those experiences linger, causing symptoms like flashbacks, nightmares,
and negative thought interfere with everyday life. This phenomenon called Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
or PTSD, isn’t a personal failing, rather, it’s a treatable malfunction of certain biological mechanisms that
allow us to cope with major experiences.
To understand PTSD, we first need to understand how the brain processes a wide range of ordeals, including
the death of a loved one, domestic violence, injury or illness, abuse, rape, war, car accident and natural
disasters. These events can bring on feelings of danger and helplessness, which activate the brain’s alarm
system, known as the fight-flight-free use response. When this alarm sounds, the hypothalamic, produce the
three adrenal systems, known as the HPH axis work together to send signals to the the parasympathetic
nervous system. That’s the network that communicates with the drenalglance and internal organs to help
regulate functions like heart rate, digestion and respiration. These signals start a chemical cass cade that
floods the body with several different stress homains, causing physiological changes that repair the body to
defend itself. Our heart rate speeds up, brathing quickens, and muscles tense. Even after a crisis is over,
escalated levels of stress hormones may last for days, contributing to triggery feelings, nightmares, and other
symptoms. For most people, these experiences disappear within a few days to two weeks, as their hormone
level stays belows. But a small percentage of those who experience trauma have persistent problems,
sometimes vanishing temporarily only to resurface months later. We don’t completely understand what’s
happening in the brain, but one theory is that the stress hormone cortesal may be continuously activating the
fight-flight-freeze response while reducing overall brain functioning, leading to a number of negative
symptoms.
These symptoms often fall into four categories: intrusive thoughts live dreams and flashbacks, avoiding
remind us of the trauma, negative thought and feelings like fear, anger and guilt and reactive symptoms like
irritability and difficulties sleeping. Not everyone has all these symptoms or experiences them to the same
extent or intensity. When problems last more than a month, PTSD is often diagnosed. Genetics, ongoing
overwhelming stress and many risk factors like pre-existing mental illnesses or lack of emotional support
likely play a role in determining who will experience PTSD. But the underlying cause is stilll a medical
mystery. A major challenge of coping with PTSD is sensitivity to triggers. Physical and emotional stimuli
that the brain associates with the original trauma. These can be everyday sensations that aren’t inherently
dangers but prompt powerful, physical and emotional reactions, For example, the smell of a campfire could
evoke the memory of being trapped in a burning house. For someone with PTSD, that memory activates the
same neurochemical casscade as the original event, that then stirs up the same feelings of panic and
helplessness as if they’re experiencing the trauma all over again. Trying to avoid these triggers which is
sometimes unpredictable can lead to isolation, that can leave you both feeling invalidated, ignored or
misunderstood, like a pause button has be pushed on their lives while the rest of the world continues around
them.
But, there are options. If you think you might be suffering from PTSD, the first step is an evaluation with a
mental health professional, who can direct you towards the many resources available. Psychotherapy can be
very effective of PTSD, helping patients better understand their triggers and certain medications can make
symptoms more manageable as can self-care practices like mindfulness and regular excercise. What if you
notice signs of PTSD in a friend or family member? Social support, acceptance and empathy are key to
helping and recovery. Let them know you believe they’re account of what they experiencing and that you
don’t blame them for their reactions. If they’re open to it, encourage them to seek evaluation and treatment.
PTSD has been called the hidden wound because it comes without out physical sight. But even if it is an
invisible disorder, it doesn’t have to be a silent one.

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