What is PTSD?  

The SINGLECARE TEAM   shared with Healthy Lombard that

PTSD stands for post-traumatic stress disorder and can cause upsetting and unwanted physical and emotional reactions in people who have experienced a frightening or unexpected event. Combat veterans and first responders are at high risk for developing PTSD; although, people from all walks of life could develop a post-traumatic response which could interfere with daily functioning

Humans generally experience events in three stages.

1. The event occurs
2. You process the event, consciously or unconsciously
3. You come to terms/acceptance with the event

Sometimes we experience something so horrific or stressful that our brains can’t make sense of what has happened to us. Because we are unable to move through the second stage of processing, our brain can return us to the exact same emotional and physical state as when the traumatic event occurred, especially when triggered. Factors that make developing PTSD more likely inherited mental health risks, personality factors, and biological factors. 

The symptoms of PTSD vary drastically from person to person. They can emerge soon after the traumatic event or years later. PTSD sufferers may try to hide their symptoms from close friends and family. They may not even share that they’ve suffered a traumatic event.

This guide will help PTSD patients and their families understand the disorder and what can be done to manage it.

What causes PTSD?

PTSD is a mental health condition or diagnosis resulting from a physically or emotionally damaging event or life situation. The triggering life situation need not be a specific event or something that happens to the patient. The sudden death of a loved one could be a triggering event. So could a long period of emotional abuse.

The event or situation does not “cause” PTSD. Two people who experience the same traumatic event both will not necessarily both develop PTSD.

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