How is ptsd caused

Children or teenagers with PTSD may have similar symptoms, but with some differences. Symptoms of PTSD in children include:. PTSD can be caused by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event — an event that was potentially life-threatening, or involved serious injury or sexual violence. The kinds of experiences that can potentially cause PTSD are:. Although a relationship break-up or losing a job can feel devastating, these are not the kinds of events that usually cause PTSD.

Anyone can develop PTSD, but some people are at greater risk. There is probably a mixture of reasons explaining why some people develop PTSD while others do not. PTSD is not the only mental health disorder caused by experiencing traumatic events, and depression and anxiety disorders may be just as common. Depression, generalised anxiety , PTSD and agoraphobia are the most common disorders that can be caused by traumatic events.

If you or someone you know appears to be experiencing symptoms of PTSD for longer than 1 month after a traumatic event, it's important to talk to a doctor or other health professional. The doctor will do a mental health assessment. This means they will ask about current symptoms, past history and family history.

They may do a physical examination to check that there are no other reasons for the symptoms. The doctor may refer to a psychiatrist or psychologist. They will ask how long, how often and how intense the symptoms are, and what happened during the triggering event. A full diagnosis cannot be made until at least 6 months after the trauma.

Often a diagnosis can come as a relief for someone who has been suffering debilitating symptoms because it provides an explanation and a basis for beginning treatment. Many people have some symptoms of PTSD in the first couple of weeks after a traumatic event, but most recover on their own or with the help of family and friends.

For people whose symptoms last longer, PTSD is treated with psychotherapy or sometimes medicine, or both. Everyone's PTSD is different, so if you have PTSD you might need to try a few different types of treatment before you find something that works for you. There are different types of therapy that can be given by a psychologist or psychiatrist.

You will need a referral from a doctor. It may take between 8 and 12 psychotherapy sessions to begin to get relief from symptoms. For some people, the condition may have become chronic and can take much longer to treat. The sooner treatment begins, the better. Medicine for PTSD is usually not recommended unless symptoms last longer than 4 weeks, or unless the symptoms are so bad that psychological treatments aren't working.

Generally, it's best to start with psychological treatment rather than use medicine as the first and only solution to the problem. Antidepressant medication may be recommended if symptoms do not completely go away with psychotherapy, or the person is unable to have therapy for some reason.

Antidepressants can reduce anxiety and fear, depression and anger. It's important to be aware of the possible side effects and to maintain regular contact with a doctor or mental health practitioner while you're using the medications.

Everyone is different, and PTSD affects people differently, so a treatment that works for one person may not work for another. Some people with PTSD may need to try different treatments to find what works for their symptoms. If someone with PTSD is going through an ongoing trauma, such as being in an abusive relationship, both of the problems need to be addressed. Other ongoing problems can include panic disorder, depression, substance abuse, and feeling suicidal.

The most studied type of medication for treating PTSD are antidepressants, which may help control PTSD symptoms such as sadness, worry, anger, and feeling numb inside. Other medications may be helpful for treating specific PTSD symptoms, such as sleep problems and nightmares.

Doctors and patients can work together to find the best medication or medication combination, as well as the right dose. Check the U. Food and Drug Administration website for the latest information on patient medication guides, warnings, or newly approved medications. Psychotherapy can occur one-on-one or in a group. Talk therapy treatment for PTSD usually lasts 6 to 12 weeks, but it can last longer. Research shows that support from family and friends can be an important part of recovery.

Many types of psychotherapy can help people with PTSD. Some types target the symptoms of PTSD directly. Other therapies focus on social, family, or job-related problems. Effective psychotherapies tend to emphasize a few key components, including education about symptoms, teaching skills to help identify the triggers of symptoms, and skills to manage the symptoms. One helpful form of therapy is called cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT.

CBT can include:. There are other types of treatment that can help as well. People with PTSD should talk about all treatment options with a therapist. Treatment should equip individuals with the skills to manage their symptoms and help them participate in activities that they enjoyed before developing PTSD.

Based on this general goal, different types of therapy may:. It may be very hard to take that first step to help yourself. It is important to realize that although it may take some time, with treatment, you can get better. If you are unsure where to go for help, ask your family doctor. An emergency room doctor can also provide temporary help and can tell you where and how to get further help. Caring for yourself and others is especially important when large numbers of people are exposed to traumatic events such as natural disasters, accidents, and violent acts.

In the last decade, progress in research on the mental and biological foundations of PTSD has lead scientists to focus on better understanding the underlying causes of why people experience a range of reactions to trauma. Clinical trials are research studies that look at new ways to prevent, detect, or treat diseases and conditions.

The goal of clinical trials is to determine if a new test or treatment works and is safe. Although individuals may benefit from being part of a clinical trial, participants should be aware that the primary purpose of a clinical trial is to gain new scientific knowledge so that others may be better helped in the future. Researchers at NIMH and around the country conduct many studies with patients and healthy volunteers.

We have new and better treatment options today because of what clinical trials uncovered years ago. Talk to your health care provider about clinical trials, their benefits and risks, and whether one is right for you. Unless otherwise specified, NIMH information and publications are in the public domain and available for use free of charge.

It's not fully understood why some people develop the condition while others do not. But certain factors appear to make some people more likely to develop PTSD. Who's at risk If you have had depression or anxiety in the past, or you do not receive much support from family or friends, you're more susceptible to developing PTSD after a traumatic event.

Why does it develop? Survival mechanism One suggestion is that the symptoms of PTSD are the result of an instinctive mechanism intended to help you survive further traumatic experiences. High adrenaline levels Studies have shown that people with PTSD have abnormal levels of stress hormones. Changes in the brain In people with PTSD, parts of the brain involved in emotional processing appear different in brain scans. And help you to get the treatment that you would like.

They give information and support to patients. You can find your local PALS through this website link:. There are things that you can do to help yourself. This is also known as self-care. When it comes to what helps people, everyone is different. You may need to different lifestyle changes until you find what works for you. Such as the following. Learn ways to relax. Such as listening to meditation CDs or relaxing music.

You can find free meditation videos on websites like YouTube. Practise mindfulness and meditation. You can find out more here: www. Eat healthy foods and have a balanced diet. You can find out nutritional advice here: www.

Keep physically active. Exercise can help to reduce stress and anxiety. Have a daily routine. Keeping a routine can help you to keep your mind occupied and focused on healthy thoughts and activities. Have healthy relationships. You can find more tips on how to maintain healthy relationships here: www. Get enough sleep. Without regular sleep, your mental health can be affected. You can find out more about improving your sleep by clicking www.

Be aware of your alcohol intake. Unhealthy drinking habits can lead to poor mental health. Some people use alcohol to deal with their emotions. Try a different coping technique to help you manage how you feel.

You may need professional help to do this. You should also consider the effect of alcohol on any medication you take. You can ask your doctor if you need more information. Avoid smoking or cut down. Smoking can affect your medication and your health. If you are not sure how your medication is affected speak to your doctor.

Keep a mood diary. This can help you to be more aware of your symptoms and what makes you better and worse. You can simply use a notebook for this. Or you may want to try online resources or smartphone apps like:. There are websites which give information about how to manage your mental health.

There are also websites which explain how you can use cognitive behavioural therapy CBT techniques to improve and manage your mental health. Some people find these useful. Recovery colleges are part of the NHS. They offer free courses about mental health to help you manage your symptoms. They can help you to take control of your life and become an expert in your own wellbeing and recovery.

You can usually self-refer to a recovery college. But the college may tell your care team. Unfortunately, recovery colleges are not available in all areas. To see if there is a recovery college in your area you can use a search engine such as Google. Recovery by clicking here. Complementary and alternative treatments by clicking here. How do I get support from my peers? You can get peer support through carer support services or carers groups. You can search for local groups in your area by using a search engine such as Google.

What is a care plan? The care plan is a written document that says what care your relative or friend will get and who is responsible for it. A care plan should always include a crisis plan.

A crisis plan will have information about who to contact if they become unwell. Can I be involved in care planning? As a carer you can be involved in decisions about care planning. Telephone: Office: E-mail: admin assisttraumacare. Combat Stress Charity who offer support to ex-service men and women of all ages who have mental health conditions. Freedom from Torture Charity offering one to one therapy, group activities and other support for physical pain to survivors of torture. Such as people with complex PTSD.

Telephone: Email: through the website www. Telephone: Monday — Thursday 10am — 9pm, and Friday 10am — 6pm E-mail: through the website. Telephone: Monday — Friday, 9am — 5pm E-mail: contact ptsdresolution. Website: www. Veterans UK Government body offering support for veterans. They provide welfare support for veterans of any age, and their families through the Veterans Welfare Service and the Veterans UK helpline. Email: There are different email addresses depending on your location.

You can find the correct email address through the website. Donate Search Menu. About us About us. See our contacts page Looking to contact us? Covid support.