ORIGINS OF PTSD
When people think about the origins of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), their minds often go to individuals that have served in the military. However, PTSD can come from a variety of places and numerous situations.
WHAT IS PTSD?
A person develops PTSD, due to the fact that they suffered a traumatic event. People with these experiences may find themselves unable to cope with overwhelming thoughts and emotions. PTSD develops from this inability and may lead to adverse reactions and behaviors.
WHERE DOES PTSD START?
PTSD can arise from a variety of different places. For many people, its origins lie in their childhood but may come from other sources throughout a person’s life.
CHILDHOOD TRAUMA
People who have experienced childhood trauma may find that they not only remember it but their minds force them to revisit those memories on a regular basis. Childhood trauma can come in a variety of forms:
- Sexual
- Physical
- Emotional
It can also be a combination of these three. Often, there are a number of instances that have taken place over the course of time. However, this does not need to be true, as one traumatic childhood experience can set the stage for prolonged PTSD no matter what.
One of the most invasive parts of trauma experienced in childhood is that, if not dealt with, it can have an effect on people and the way they live for decades. Younger individuals who have experienced trauma at the hands of a parental figure may even be told that they are beyond help and that they need to keep their issues to themselves.
This effectively stunts their ability to share their problems with a trained professional looking to assist them in overcoming their PTSD.
MILITARY SERVICE
When the general public thinks of PTSD, their minds will focus on those in the armed services. Military service has a history of creating individuals with PTSD simply by the nature of the job. These people are placed in harm’s way, often forced to watch others die and, in some cases, carry out the deaths themselves.
While this would be hard on anyone, the overwhelming feeling is that the job requires the tamping down of emotions. Someone who sees a therapist may be shunned or have their abilities questioned by their fellow soldiers.
In these cases, a person may experience even more issues as they continually place themselves in triggering situations that may worsen the problem. Many people leave military service with exponentially worse PTSD than the general public simply because of their inability to admit to their issues.
WITNESSING VIOLENCE
Much like those who serve in the armed services, PTSD is often found in regular people who witness extreme violence or traumatic situations. The difference is that they do not need to be directly involved for PTSD to exist.
One of the most well-known cases of this type of PTSD was the tragedy of September 11th, 2001. With the 24-hour news cycle and the increase in camera use, millions of people watched a traumatic event unfold in real time. Witnessing this level of tragedy, even though they were not even in the same city or, in some cases, the same country, left mental scars on hundreds of thousands of people.
In these cases, individuals may feel that they cannot possibly have PTSD. They feel there must be something else wrong with them as they were not physically involved in the event that they witnessed. However, this is far from the truth.
This type of PTSD is very real and should be discussed with a mental health professional. It may turn out that it is not as severe a case as experienced by those who witnessed the events firsthand, but it is important to address it regardless.
GENERAL PTSD
The fact is that there is any number of situations that can cause a person to experience PTSD. Not everyone has childhood trauma or a history of military service. However, over the course of people’s lives, there can be moments and incidents that are traumatic enough that their mention sends someone into a tailspin. It is important not to ignore these thoughts and feelings, regardless of how insignificant we may be told they are.
PTSD AND DUAL DIAGNOSIS
People with PTSD will often do whatever they can to avoid it. This includes avoiding treatment due to the fact that they also do not wish to confront their issues with a medical professional.
When this happens, individuals may find themselves attempting to self-medicate using drugs or alcohol. Regardless of the substance people choose, their inability to cope will often send them further into their substance abuse.
This coexistence of mental health and substance abuse issues is called a dual diagnosis. One cannot be addressed without addressing the other.
TWILIGHT RECOVERY CENTER AND TREATMENT OPTIONS
At Twilight Recovery Center, the concept of PTSD and dual diagnosis are quite common. We offer a variety of treatment options, including:
- Detox
- Individual therapy
- Group therapy
- Medication-assisted therapy (MAT)
These different therapies work in tandem to provide a one-of-a-kind individualized experience for those who are ready to deal with their PTSD and their substance abuse issues.
Twilight Recovery Center gives a plan of action when a person enters. The knowledge that they are safe, and the backing of years of staff experience. All of this is put in place to make sure the individual finds the treatment they need. They need to overcome their issues and move forward with their lives.
PTSD has no particular origin. It could be everything from childhood trauma to the effects of military service. For those who have PTSD, the concept of seeking help may feel frightening and unnecessary. They may believe that they can and should be able to cope with their own issues without relying on outside means. This cannot be further from the truth. Twilight Recovery Center will show you that living with PTSD is unnecessary. There are ways to confront and deal with this condition. Our medical professionals are ready to show you the right path. For more information, call us today at (888) 414-8183.