Trauma and PTSD. What the hell is it and how does it affect adults of childhood abuse?
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder PTSD is a mental health condition that is triggered by a traumatic event. Signs and symptoms can follow immediately following the traumatic event or can lay dormant for years after.
Just because you experienced a traumatic event doesn’t mean you will have PTSD. Only 12% of Australians will experience PTSD. There are many factors that influence whether a person will go on to have PTSD following a traumatic event. However, sexually abused men in childhood are 10 times more likely to qualify for a diagnosis of PTSD in comparison to the general community.
Only a psychologist or psychiatrist can diagnose PTSD.
Some of the symptoms include
- Intrusive memories and thoughts
- Flashbacks of the event
- Nightmares
- Upsetting memories or feeling distressed when something reminds you of the event.
- Avoidance behaviors
- Avoid thinking or talking about the event or avoiding people, places or activities that remind you of the event.
- Negative thoughts and mood.
- Feelings of hopelessness, anger, guilt, shame.
- Difficulty sleeping,
- Easily startled,
- Poor concentration,
- Irritable or aggressive.
- Engage in reckless or self-destructive behavior.
- Suicidal or suicidal thoughts
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Relationship difficulties
- Sexual difficulties
- Other mental health problems
With the right help, PTSD can be treated. Emphasis on the RIGHT help! There has been much debate on whether childhood abuse should have a further classification of ‘Complex’ trauma as it is very complex in nature in the way it can imprint its effects on a young person’s psyche especially as many child abuse victims do not (if ever) disclose the abuse until many years after the event and/or the young person’s brain’s ability to protect itself by repressing memories or dissociating. It can significantly impact on sense of self, safety and trust in adult life, especially if their perpetrator was a trusted caregiver or family member. For this reason, treatment should be done with a competent and trained therapist that specialises in childhood trauma.
Interesting fact
One of the most effective treatments for survivors of 9/11 was….. Yoga!!
Check out Beyond Blue for a PTSD symptom checklist HERE.
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