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Post
Traumatic Stress Disorder
Can be described as
a person’s reaction to a traumatic event.
What to look for
Someone who has experienced
severe trauma ( eg: war, combat, natural disaster, physical or sexual abuse or witnessed
violence, such as murder or physical abuse), may display one or more of these symptoms:
repeated flashbacks or
recurrent dreams of the event.
traumatic dreams,
sleeping problems.
anger.
intense worry if exposed
to anything resembling the event.
inability to relate to
others.
physical symptoms - pain, headaches, bowel problems.
in young children,
agitated behaviour, difficulty concentrating, or developmental regression in such things
as toilet training or speech.
no sense of a future; no
expectation of having a family, career, living to old age.
Normally, if a person
experiences traumatic and horrible events, they will experience fear, horror and other
individual reactions. Some people do not experience much at all but this is not normally
the case.
This condition is
considered a mental disorder resulting from any sort of deeply shocking experience. It may
occur immediately or may occur months later.
If you receive treatment,
you are more likely to overcome the disorder quicker.
People with PTSD also often
suffer from various physical ailments, depression, drug abuse, phobias, or panic attacks as well.
Abused children will often
suffer from this, as do abused partners and family members.
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Causes
The cause of PTSD is
severely traumatic event that initiates feelings of fear, horror, and helplessness. It
depends upon the severity and duration of the exposure, whether the person will have PTSD
and how long the disorder lasts, and how severe it is. If the trauma is chronic and
ongoing, it is more likely that PTSD will be the result.
It is written that intense
fear has physical repercussions in the part of the brain interprets fear and that this
damage may contribute to the symptoms of PTSD.
It is necessary to consult
a doctor or psychotherapist who will examine you and your full family history and the
traumatic event before making a diagnosis.
Traditional Treatment
Antidepressant drugs,
psychotherapy and reassurance are the usual treatments for PTSD.
Alternative treatments
include a wide variety of techniques to help you overcome your reactions to the trauma you
experienced.
Alternative/Natural
Treatments
Massage - Massage
may help in relaxation and reducing stress. Try using some of the essential oils listed in
Aromatherapy below.Massage
may help in relaxation and reducing stress. Try using some of the essential oils listed in
Aromatherapy below.
Herbal Treatments
- Calmative herbs include - chamomile
and lemon balm which can be taken as a tea. Stronger herbs are valerian and skullcap
- these are very beneficial for shock or extreme stress. Calmative herbs include - chamomile
and lemon balm which can be taken as a tea. Stronger herbs are valerian and skullcap
- these are very beneficial for shock or extreme stress.
These herbs are highly
effective and should not be used for an indefinite period of time as they can become
addictive and harmful. Take them under Professional supervision.
Aromatherapy - Try
sandalwood diluted in a base cream - rub this
all over you so that the essential oil properties work throughout the day. You should use
4-5 drops in 15 grams of vegetable based cream. Try
sandalwood diluted in a base cream - rub this
all over you so that the essential oil properties work throughout the day. You should use
4-5 drops in 15 grams of vegetable based cream.
Other good oils for stress
are ylang ylang, vetiver, tangerine, patchouli, marjoram, grapefruit, clary sage,
bergamot, cedarwood and frankincense. See
our section on aromatherapy for more information - some oils should not be used by
certain people.
When to seek further
professional advice
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