Post-traumatic stress disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder is a disorder that can develop after a traumatic event when symptoms persist and interfere with daily functioning.

Definition

After trauma, many reactions are natural and in some people they decrease over time. PTSD may include re-experiencing, avoidance, increased arousal, and changes in mood and cognition. Diagnosis requires specialist assessment; a single difficult memory does not automatically mean PTSD. If your symptoms become severe, you have suicidal thoughts or you feel threatened, you should seek immediate help.

Key ideas

  1. Trauma
  2. Objawy utrzymujące się w czasie
  3. Potrzeba specjalistycznej oceny

Practice and life

If post-traumatic symptoms persist, worsen, or make life difficult, write down their type and frequency, and then contact a specialist.

Common misunderstanding

It is a mistake to self-diagnose PTSD based on one symptom. It is also a mistake to downplay post-traumatic reactions as "exaggeration".

Questions for self-reflection

  • Czy objawy utrudniają mi pracę, sen lub relacje?
  • Jak długo się utrzymują?
  • Czy potrzebuję pomocy specjalistycznej lub kryzysowej?

Sources