Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Addictions
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, also known as PSTD, is a scary illness for those who have it as well as for those who watch their loved one suffer with it. It is the result of mental damage after experience a distressing event. The severe anxiety that comes with the disorder is only one part of it. The phyiscal side affects are also life altering. Drugs and alcohol are seen as ways to drown out the memories and cope.
Events that cause PSTD can vary from person to person. It can be the death of someone you cared about. For some it was due to exposure of sexual, mental, or physical abuse. People also can be traumatized by witnessing a car accident, having a rift with a family member or experience of deep rejection.
The mental state of PSTD is very fragile. They are constantly avoiding any triggers to the event in which led them to this situation. There can be a lot of irritablility, outbursts of anger, and poor sleep patterns. These things add a lot of stress to the sufferer which just makes a bad condition even worse. Isolation is often due to feeling that no one understands their situation or could relate to them.
Relationships suffer because of PSTD. Many close family and friend of PSTD victims say their loved one is not the same person after the event. This diease takes control of them and does not allow them to be themselves. A violent father, an absent mother, a distant child, or an irrational friend can change life for everyone associated with them. The sufferer of the illness can destroy relationships without even knowing it, and because of the illness often without even caring.
High blood pressure, digestive problems, and low energy are just a few of the physical problems people with this illness experience. There can also be headaches, vascular problems, and just and overall pain issues involved. If you add in drinking or using drugs to stop one’s thinking about the past, this can get very dark.
Treatment for PSTD depends on the case and its severity. Of course medication is normally used. This is often an anti-depressant to control those feelings of hopelessness. There are many types of therapy used to teach coping mechanisms to the sufferers of this diease. Insight, hypnosis and group therapy are a few of the most used forms of threaputic treatment. Many patient respond better knowing they are not alone therefore group treatments are highly rated. One can gain insight through writing exercises. Instead of abusing drugs or alcohol, try one of the above modalities. Getting on a prescription medication can alleviate anxiety and nightmares while you sort things out in therapy. Natural means such as yoga and meditation help the mind get calm.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a horrible mental disorder. It leaves one feeling alone and angry. It takes a toll on one’s body, mind and relationships. There is not instant cure for PSTD, and treatments vary greatly. With support of family and friends, one can hope to someday fully recover. By using alcohol, benzos, cocaine or pain killers you are only delaying your healing.
PTSD can last for years especially if you were physically abused. It’s very hard to get into a new, healthy relationship.
If you are abused as a child you may have to turn to alcohol or drugs to drown out nightmares and other traumatic reactions. But when you get help through therapy you learn that no one can hurt you anymore.