The festival season has began. For some people the season has triggered painful memories of loss and grief. It becomes very important to understand PTSD and. Our awareness can help them in their healing process.

1. PTSD
(POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER)
Naumita Rishi, MS
Counseling Psychologist
www.cheshtha.com

2. UNDERSTANDING PTSD…..
 What should I know about PTSD?
It is natural for an individual to……..
 be afraid when one is in danger.
 get upset when something bad happens to him/her or to someone
he/she loves.
But if the individual is…..
 afraid or upset weeks or months after the traumatic event.
 facing problem in getting back to regular life.
 not able to reconnect with others.
THEN - One might be suffering from Post Traumatic Stress
Disorder.
www.cheshtha.com

3. UNDERSTANDING PTSD
 What is ‘Traumatic’
 Any event or experience that causes physical, intellectual and
emotional distress and harm, and threatens one’s sense of safety
and sense of control is ‘traumatic.’
 A single intense and powerful event/experience may cause
trauma e.g., accident, death, suicide, divorce, surgery, crime, natural
and man- made disasters etc.
 Chronic and repeated events/experiences may also cause
trauma e.g., physical, psychological and sexual abuse, neglect,
alienation, battering relationships, life-threatening illnesses violence,
war etc
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4. UNDERSTANDING PTSD
 When an event becomes ‘Traumatic’ ?
 There are many events and experiences which are known to have
negative psychological, physical and cognitive impact and thus
categorized as ‘Traumatic.”
 However, there are individual differences in the way people react to
those events and experiences.
 How much one is affected, depends upon how much one believes
one is helpless, hopeless, and in danger.
 So it’s the survivor who actually knows the intensity of trauma,.
 Usually the events/experiences which are highly intense, long in
duration, perpetrated by close family members (abuse and violence) ,
and cause intense fear of injury and death are more traumatic.
www.cheshtha.com

5. UNDERSTANDING PTSD…..
 Important points-
 PTSD is a type of anxiety disorder.
 Anyone can develop PTSD at any age.
 It may develop after experiencing or witnessing the traumatic event.
 It may develop immediately after the traumatic event or weeks,
months or years afterwards.
 Its symptoms may appear suddenly or develop over a period of time
or come and go over time.
 Symptoms may trigger by something that reminds the traumatic
event e.g., an image, or a sound or a word or a smell or a color.
www.cheshtha.com

6. UNDERSTANDING PTSD…..
 Symptoms of PTSD..
 Re-experiencing the trauma
 The person has disturbing and painful memories of the
event/experience.
 He/she has recurrent disturbing dreams (nightmares).
 He/she periodically re-experiences the traumatic event as if it
were happening again. (flashbacks)
 He/she shows intense emotional and physical reactions when
reminded of the event, like intense fear, sweating, throbbing heart,
muscle tension etc.
www.cheshtha.com

7. UNDERSTANDING PTSD…..
 Symptoms of PTSD..
 Avoidance
 The person avoids anything that reminds of the traumatic event
e.g., places, activities, images etc.
 He/she is not able to recall or remember the important aspects of
the events.
 He/she is not interested in activities once enjoyed.
 He/she is not able to connect with others. He/she develops an
overall sense of detachment.
 He/she has lost hope and expectations for the future.
www.cheshtha.com

8. UNDERSTANDING PTSD…..
 Symptoms of PTSD.
 Affective
 The person is constantly on extreme alert as if something bad is
going to happen.
 He/she easily gets irritated and aggressive.
 He/she is not able to concentrate properly on the present
activities.
 He/she has developed disturbed sleep patterns.
 He/she gets easily startled.
www.cheshtha.com

9. UNDERSTANDING PTSD…..
 Psychological issues that may develop with PTSD.
 Anger
 Guilt and shame.
 Self blame.
 Feelings of loneliness and helplessness.
 Feelings of mistrust and betrayal.
 Hopelessness and depression.
 Suicidal thoughts.
www.cheshtha.com

10. WHAT CAN I DO IF I HAVE PTSD?
 Be gentle to yourself.
Understand that recovery from PTSD is slow. You will remember the
trauma and that may trigger grief. Acknowledgement of the grief is the
best way to deal with it.
 Stay connected with your family and friends.
Create opportunities to thank them for their support during your testing
times. Gratitude helps in the healing process.
 No to self-medication.
Medication may temporarily reduce the symptoms but do not help
overcoming the psychological impact of trauma as such. Over-
medication may also have other side effects. Take professional help.
www.cheshtha.com

11. WHAT CAN I DO IF I HAVE PTSD?
 No to drugs.
No to drugs and alcohol. Like medicines, they also give temporary relief.
But drugs and alcohol may worsen anger and depression.
 Join support groups.
Take help from the people who have had similar experiences. Share your
story.
 Involve in community work.
Do some volunteer work. Helping others will help you overcome your
own sense of helplessness and grief.
 Take help.
PTSD is treatable. Take help from a professional.
www.cheshtha.com

12. WHAT CAN I DO IF SOMEONE I LOVE HAS PTSD?
 Awareness.
Get informed about PTSD and its healing process. You will be more
patient and understanding of the person who is suffering from PTSD
 Stay connected.
Your loved one may like to talk about the traumatic event again and
again. It’s a part of the healing process. Don’t ask them to forget and
move on.
Your loved one may not like to talk about the traumatic event. Don’t force
him/her to talk. However, let him/her know that you are there if he/she
wants to talk.
 Learn about the triggers.
There are certain things that may remind of traumatic experience. Be
aware of those things. Help your loved one to calm down when faced
with those triggers.
www.cheshtha.com

13. HELP IS CLOSER THEN YOU THINK!!
Reach out….
Thank you !!
www.cheshtha.com