In this video we will cover PTSD, also known as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, we will discuss some tips and tricks for dealing with it and lastly we will highlight some common treatment options. So make sure to watch the whole video so you won’t miss any valuable information.

This video is part of a videoseries on mental health problems. Find the playlists here:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLaG3Bo3L0gX6Q9c7x0nRJ9sN_8pR8BB6m

What is PTSD?
PTSD is s a mental health condition that's triggered by a terrifying event — either experiencing it or witnessing it. In order to be diagnosed with PTSD an adult must have the following symptoms for at least 1 month:
- At least one re-experiencing symptom; like flashbacks or nightmares.
- At least one avoidance symptom; like avoiding some places, events, or objects that are reminders of the traumatic experience or avoiding feelings or thoughts related to the traumatic event.
- At least two arousal and reactivity symptoms; like difficulties sleeping, angry outbursts, feeling tense or being easily startled.
- And lastly, at least two cognition and mood symptoms; like loss of interest in enjoyable activities, feelings of guilt or negative thoughts.

Prevalence:
Anyone can develop it at any age after experiencing serious trauma. According to the National center for PTSD about 7-8 out of every 100 people will experience PTSD at some point in their lives. However, the majority of people experiencing trauma, do not develop PTSD. When PTSD occurs, it is usually within 3 months of the traumatic event, but in rare cases it can occur up to several years later.

Risk Factors:
Experiencing dangerous events and traumas, getting hurt, seeing another person get hurt, childhood trauma, feeling extreme helplessness or extreme fear, having little or no social support after a traumatic event, having extra stress after the event and having a history of mental illness or substance abuse.

Protective Factors:
certain genetic and neurobiological factors, having plenty of social support, finding a support group, having a positive coping strategy and being able to act and respond effectively despite feelings of fear.

Treatment plan:
- Visit your doctor for a medical examination.
- Take good care for yourself. Try to get 7-9 hours of sleep each night, maintain a structured sleeping schedule, eat enough vegetables and vitamines, drink about 2L of water each day and try to exercise regularly.
- Antidepressants. They can reduce symptoms of sadness, worry, anger, and feeling numb inside. They can also help improve sleep problems and concentration problems. Examples of commonly used antidepressants are paroxetine and sertraline.
- In addition your doctor might also prescribe anti-anxiety medications when you are dealing with severe anxiety.
- Psychotherapy, also called talk therapy. This can be follow individually or in a group-setting. In psychotherapy the underlying psychological problems and the trauma are address, with the aim to overcome this. It usually lasts 6 to 12 weeks, but it can last longer.
There are many types of effective psychotherapy, but most commonly you doctor will prescribe EMDR or CBT.

- Disclaimer: this video and the comments are meant purely informational! This is not medical advice! If you are looking for medical advice always contact your own doctor. -

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Literature:
1: Mayoclinic Staff. (2018). Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Mayclinic.
2: American Psychiatric Association. (2013) Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
3: BrainLine. (2018). DSM-5 Criteria for PTSD.
4: Tull M. (2021). What Is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder? Verywell mind
5: National Institute of Mental Health. (2021). Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

* The images in this video are used for educational purposes only. Most of the images and video material in this video come from https://www.canva.com/.

Music:
1. Verified Picasso, Fish Room
2. Patrick Patrikos, Good Times
3: Patrick Patrikios, Rockville
4: Patrick Patrikios, Grut

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