Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a common psychological condition that may develop after an individual is exposed to actual or threatening events that are traumatic, such as sexual violence, serious injury, death, among others. In this case, exposure refers to “directly experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, or learning that a trauma occurred to a close family member or friend.” (Lancaster, Teeters, Gross " Back, 2016). Some of the symptoms that signify PTSD include sudden reactions, change in concentration and memory, possible nightmares and flashbacks of the traumatic event, hyper-arousal, and intrusive thoughts, among others (Bremner, 2006). As a result of such stress, specific parts of the brain and neurochemical systems undergo chronic and acute changes, which rewires parts of the brain that respond to stress. Parts of the neurochemical system affected are norepinephrine and the cortisol, while the medial prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and hippocampus regions of the brain are affected (Bremner, 2006). PTSD causes a significant reduction of the hippocampus, resulting in the inability to differentiate between present and past occurrences or environments. Similarly, the medial prefrontal cortex decreases under PTSD, severely crippling the brain’s emotional response. The amygdala becomes hyper active, resulting in increased processing of emotions, such as panic and anxiety, especially when something reminds them of the traumatic event (Bremner, 2006).
After assessment and identified PTSD, an individual can either undergo pharmacological or psychological treatments. Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) focuses on altering the inaccurate interpretations and maladaptive thoughts associated with PTSD, and then directly intervenes with this kind of thinking. Exposure-based techniques, such as Prolonged Exposure (PE) trains the patient to face their fears or situations that trigger PTSD-related reactions, instead of avoiding them. In these interventions, the stimulation events are devoid of preconceived fears and exposure continues until fear reactions related to the trauma wanes off (Lancaster et al., 2016). Relaxation psychotherapy involves comprehensive training of the brain on how to relax when faced with panic, anxiety, and other emotions associated with the trauma. Stress Inoculation Training (SIT), for instance, falls under this category, and it helps a patient master their anxiety, while structuring the brain to prevent pervasive anxiety and stress. Skills taught include confronting maladaptive thoughts, muscle relaxation, and breath retraining (Lancaster et al., 2016). While psychological treatments are the most preferred interventions for PTSD, there are some medical prescriptions that treat some of its symptoms. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) work by reducing the events of hyper arousal, numbing, avoidance, resulting in overall increased quality of life. However, this treatment is not largely supported because discontinuation may cause symptom relapse (Lancaster et al., 2016). Some clinicians also prescribe antidepressants to treat nightmares and insomnia, but they cannot be used alone (Sareen, 2014).
PTSD is a psychological disorder that results from experiencing a traumatic event, and is associated with sleep problems, flashbacks, hyper arousal, and other symptoms. It affects the medial prefrontal cortex and hippocampus parts of the brain by shrinking them significantly, while the amygdala becomes hyper active. The disorder can be treated through both psychological and prescription-related interventions. CPT, exposure-based, and relaxation techniques are some of the widely used psychotherapies, while clinicians may also prescribe antidepressants and SSRIs. Effective treatment and management of PTSD should begin with comprehensive education on how it affects the brain and a person’s life in general.
References
Bremner, J. D. (2006). Traumatic stress: effects on the brain. Dialogues in clinical neuroscience, 8(4), 445.
Lancaster, C. L., Teeters, J. B., Gros, D. F., " Back, S. E. (2016). Posttraumatic stress disorder: overview of evidence-based assessment and treatment. Journal of clinical medicine, 5(11), 105.
Sareen, J. (2014). Posttraumatic stress disorder in adults: impact, comorbidity, risk factors, and treatment. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 59(9), 460-467.
