The German Association of Neurologists and Psychiatrists said on the Internet that post-traumatic stress disorder is a serious psychological disorder that occurs after exposure to severe psychological trauma.
The association explained that severe psychological trauma includes incidents of physical violence, sexual assault, serious traffic accidents, and medical emergencies such as a heart attack or life-threatening bleeding.
Reasons also include the death or serious illness of a family member, in addition to exposure to the horrors of wars and natural disasters.
Psychological and physical symptoms
The association indicated that post-traumatic stress disorder has psychological and physical symptoms, explaining that the psychological symptoms are hyper-excitability; The patient is constantly alert, very tense, and constantly on alert. He also suffers from insomnia, difficulty concentrating, and increased irritability.
The patient also suffers from sadness, depression, loss of confidence in oneself and others, a shaken view of oneself and the world, low self-esteem, self-hatred, feelings of guilt and shame, and the desire to harm oneself.
Physical symptoms include heart palpitations, chest tightness, difficulty breathing, and tremors.
Treatment methods
Post-traumatic stress disorder can be treated through psychotherapy, which aims to help the patient control his unwanted memories, as well as alleviate or reduce the symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress disorder.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is the most commonly used procedure; It attempts to re-evaluate the thoughts and feelings associated with the trauma to which the patient was exposed.
Psychodynamic psychotherapy is also a form of psychoanalysis, and it deals with the deep psychology of past and present relationships and experiences related to trauma.
In addition to psychotherapy, creative approaches can also be included in the treatment plan such as music and art therapy, as well as movement therapies and relaxation techniques.