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People who have been through traumatic events like natural disasters, wars, abuse and accidents are likely left with distress and devastation that may be hard for outsiders to understand. Failure in coping with such feelings for a prolonged period of time can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD is a serious mental disorder raising as much concern in the local scene as it does globally, as recent research estimated the prevalence of suspected PTSD in Hong Kong to be 12.8% following the social unrest in 2019.
Learn more about the causes, symptoms and diagnosis of PTSD and get tips for finding a trauma-focused therapist in Hong Kong in this article.
According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA), post-traumatic stress disorder, commonly referred to as PTSD, refers to a psychiatric disorder in people that some people experience following a traumatic event in the past. The severity of the traumatic event and the person’s subjective experiences both play important roles in determining whether a person will develop PTSD or not.
Traumatic events usually involve life threats that lead to negative emotional responses. Patients with PTSD do not necessarily have to be involved in the traumatic experience. Witnesses of the traumatic event are also at risk of developing PTSD.
The following is a list of traumatic events which may cause PTSD:
Not every individual will develop PTSD after experiencing a traumatic event. A number of factors will affect the chance of a person developing PTSD:
Individuals with less social support are more likely to develop PTSD because social support can foster recovery, as well as help patients progress in moving on from the memories of the traumatic event.
Coping strategies are actions or thought processes people use to deal with stressful and unpleasant situations. People who rely on negative coping strategies, namely self-isolation, avoidance of reminders of the traumatic situation, self-blame and rumination, will have a higher chance of developing PTSD.
People who have low resting cortisol, a hormone that helps the body to respond to stress, are more likely to develop PTSD because cortisol can help shut down the sympathetic nervous system activity, which is highly related to stress levels.
Individuals previously diagnosed with mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety are more likely to develop PTSD. Previous research has found that PTSD, depression and anxiety disorders are all stress-related disorders.
Neurotic individuals are more likely to develop PTSD because a neurotic personality lowers the chance of an individual overcoming traumatic experiences. Other research also suggested that PTSD patients generally score higher in neuroticism.
Individuals with a previous history of trauma increase the chance of suffering from PTSD. This is because traumatic experiences in the past trigger the onset of PTSD.
Patients with PTSD suffer from a wide range of symptoms. According to The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), major symptoms of PTSD include:
If you have encountered a traumatic event in the past and experienced the above symptoms, you may consider getting a diagnosis of PTSD. A brief screening instrument for PTSD may be considered for those who have experienced a traumatic event. However, the results of self-report scales should not be relied entirely upon to confirm PTSD as this procedure only provides a brief and initial diagnosis. Patients suspected to have PTSD should seek help from psychiatrists or psychologists for a professional diagnosis.
Below are several examples of self-report scales commonly used for PTSD:
The primary goal of psychotherapy for PTSD is to provide emotional support, encourage recall of the traumatic events to integrate them into the patient’ s experience and to facilitate working through the associated emotions. They would thus benefit PTSD patients by helping them reduce stress and anxiety related to the trauma.
Medications play an essential role in treating PTSD, especially if the PTSD leads to a significant co-existing depressive disorder. Short-term anxiolytics would also help with decreasing the level of arousal and insomnia, helping PTSD patients to overcome the traumatic experience.
Prolonged exposure therapy requires PTSD patients to be exposed to stimuli associated with the trauma through videotapes or conversations about the traumatic event. The role of therapists is to educate patients to keep calm when recalling event. As a result, patients will obtain practical skills (e.g. breathing techniques) to cope with the trauma.
CBT therapists will focus on helping PTSD patients to identify their thought processes and ultimately reduce their anxious feelings by changing their cognitions. For example, therapists may invite patients to describe the event verbally and to identify their irrational thoughts.
EMDR first requires the PTSD patient to picture the scene of the traumatic event. After that, therapists will invite the patient to recall a positive event. During the treatment, the therapist will also move his or her finger back and forth in front of the eyes of the patients. This intervention approach aims to replace negative thoughts with positive ones.
Cognitive-behavioral therapies are more appropriate for PTSD patients with less severe conditions, while prolonged exposure therapies and EMDR are more suitable for PTSD patients with more severe conditions. Trauma-focused therapies encourage patients to move on from the traumatic event. The effectiveness of trauma-focused therapies would only be optimal if patients are committed to the intervention. PTSD patients may consult their therapist before deciding the best treatment option.
In case of need for immediate support, especially those who have developed suicidal ideation, please do not hesitate to reach out for professional help. Below is a list of hotlines with 24-hour support.
The Samaritans
Hotline: 2896 0000
Available language: English, Cantonese, Mandarin
Suicide Prevention
Hotline: 2382 0000
Available language: Cantonese
The Samaritan Befrienders Hong Kong
Hotline: 2389 2222
Available language: Cantonese
PTSD does not directly lead to personality change but may impact patients, this may severely obstruct their social and personal life. For instance, people after experiencing a traumatic event may become even more anxious and avoidant.
PTSD can go away once the patient has overcome the trauma. While some patients may recover within six months, most patients require more time to get better. PTSD left untreated may even lead to a risk of developing chronic PTSD. Appropriate treatment is essential to prevent serious consequences of PTSD.
Patients with PTSD experience physical symptoms which may affect their physical appearance. These symptoms might include sweating, increased heart rate and shaking hands.
This article was independently written by Healthy Matters. It is informative only and not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be relied upon for specific medical advice.
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