PTSD is a mental condition that appears in people due to their traumatic experiences. The experiences that cause PTSD may vary from person to person. Some may have experienced war, for some, it may be sexual assault or accident, violence, child abuse, attack on one’s life. Also, the experience may be single or repeated.
It is not that all the people experiencing such events undergo PTSD. The trauma of the event may subside with time. However, if it sustains beyond a month, it can be PTSD.
It is important to understand that trauma is different from stress.
Trauma is an experience of extreme stress or shock that is/or was, at some point, part of life’. It is often life-threatening. In contrast, stress is physical or mental tension and has lesser intensity than trauma. The stress may arise due to lifestyle or environmental factors such as divorce, financial pressure, performance anxiety, etc.

The symptoms of PTSD are physical and behavioral. The symptoms are most likely to appear in the first month of the trauma. However, in some cases, the symptoms may appear even after months or years.
Further, the intensity and frequency of symptoms are different for people. There are long phases in which the symptoms are mild. With the phase change, the symptoms intensify and occur more frequently. Later, the same may develop into a serious threat to the person.

The symptoms of PTSD are physical and behavioral. The symptoms are most likely to appear in the first month of the trauma. However, in some cases, the symptoms may appear even after months or years.

Further, the intensity and frequency of symptoms are different for people. There are long phases in which the symptoms are mild. With the phase change, the symptoms intensify and occur more frequently. Later, the same may develop into a serious threat to the person.
The American Psychiatric Association categorizes PTSD symptoms into four categories. Also, the symptoms should appear for more than a month.
⦁ Intrusion: The repeated involuntary memories, flashbacks, nightmares.
⦁ Avoidance: Avoiding reminders of traumatic events, places, people, objects, and situations.
⦁ Alteration in cognition & mood: Poor sleep pattern, Development of distorted thoughts, fear, self-blaming, guilt, shame, detachment, etc.
⦁ Alteration in arousal & reactivity: Angry outbursts, self-harming activities, reckless behavior, paranoid behavior, etc.

Why veterans are more prone to PTSD?

Although anyone may develop PTSD if he/she encounters a traumatic experience that may or may not have resulted in life loss. But the veterans can be more exposed to the risk of a traumatic experience as compared to the civilians.

The veterans deployed in war and peace-keeping activities often experience life-loss and extreme violence that can shake anyone to the core. As per research published in in 2015 the likelihood of a veteran developing PTSD depends upon the following factors.
⦁ Degree of exposure to combat
⦁ Discharging a weapon during combat
⦁ Witnessing life-threatening injuries or death
⦁ Social support
The reason for the development of PTSD in veterans is highly dependent on the individual. Moreover, PTSD may lead to other problems related to the heart, digestive system, chronic pain and substance use.

What are the treatments for PTSD?
Traditional methods required a diagnosis of the illness by a General Practitioner (GP) or Medical Specialist. The quest for the optimal treatment of PTSD is still going on. At present, the treatment may include the following.

⦁ Hypnotherapy
⦁ Psychotherapy including CBT

Hypnotherapy and a meta-analysis shows the greater benefits and superiority of and psychotherapy over medication.
Hypnotherapy and psychotherapy  have been found to be most effective in treating PTSD.
Hypnotherapy: It helps in restructuring negative thoughts into positive ones.

Further, veterans may try coping methods themselves. These methods include exercise, meditations, deep breathing etc.

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