Many unpredictable natural disasters or man-made disasters are heard from time to time, both at home and abroad. We don’t even just see them on the news. They may happen to you, me or our family and friends, whether they are survivors or relatives and friends of the victims, or even participate in disaster relief. All personnel may suffer varying degrees of psychological impact. In severe cases, they may even experience physical or psychological abnormalities, causing the so-called “Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder” (PTSD). Therefore, everyone needs to learn more about this disease. Not only can they self-test, but they can also observe whether family members or friends have similar symptoms, which can not only help themselves but also help others.

What is PTSD?

This is an anxiety disorder that usually occurs when one has personally experienced trauma such as sexual assault or violence, or witnessed horrific events such as the accidental death of a relative or friend, a car accident, natural disaster, etc. Most people will feel intensely helpless at the moment of the incident. , shock, anger, tension, fear and even guilt, but most of them will gradually disappear over time. If these feelings not only do not decrease, but continue or even become stronger, and last for more than 1 month, there is no way to go back to before the incident. If you are living a normal life, please be sure to seek help from a professional doctor immediately, because you are likely to have PTSD.

4 major symptoms of PTSD

1. Re-enactment: Constantly reliving the scene of the incident, including rewinding memories, hallucinations or nightmares. Once you touch something related to the event, you may feel excruciating pain.
2. Avoidance: Staying away from any people, places, topics, or events that may be associated with the event. Not only do they lose interest in activities they used to enjoy, but they also alienate family and friends.
3. Increased alertness: often crying, easily irritable, easily frightened, nervous, difficult to sleep, confused thoughts, difficult to concentrate. Physiological reactions include headache, stomachache, diarrhea, nausea, fatigue, increased blood pressure, rapid heartbeat and sweating. wait.
4. Negative cognitions and emotions: The thoughts and emotions related to the event are very negative and avoid talking about it.

Symptoms usually begin within 3 months of the event, but sometimes persist for years. Additionally, it varies in severity and duration, with some people recovering within 6 months and others experiencing prolonged pain, but it can be treated.

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