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Letters | Opinion | Editorial | Weekend Report |
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Dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder Pt. 1 Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disorder that occurs after life-threatening experiences, witnessing violent incidents, accidents or disasters after a storm or other incidents of crisis. The condition can be experienced after an earthquake, wild fire, tornado, death or physical injuries, the loss of homes through financial irregularities, change of communities or physical impairments. The reaction can also occur after a divorce, separation, retirement and the loss of anything that creates stress. This condition is marked by psychological symptoms. The personality of individuals can become impaired which reacts in physical and emotional reactions, any children and adults experience normal stress reactions after a crisis. Anxiety disorder and depression can result from such experiences. Emotional reactions Shock, fear, grief, anger, resentment, guilt, shame, helplessness, hopelessness, emotional numbness, lack of love and intimacy, loss of interest in day-to-day activities. Some people may feel depressed, powerless, or feel that the trauma is overwhelming. Others cry a lot, avoid being with people or experience great feelings of loneliness. Cognitive reactions Confusion, disorientation, indecisiveness, worry, short attention span, difficulty concentrating, memory loss, self-blame, nightmares, flashbacks, disbelief and lack of confidence. Physical reactions Tension, fatigue, edginess, difficulty sleeping, body aches and pains, easily excited, racing heart beats, nausea, and change in appetite. Some persons suffer from dizziness, insomnia, over-eating, pain in the neck, shoulders or stomach, headaches, and eating disorders Interpersonal reactions Negative reactions to friends and other relationships, distrust, irritability, create conflicts, withdrawn, isolating feeling of rejection or abandonment, feels distant, become judgmental, and often over-controlling. The condition can be helped and there is hope for persons who are experiencing this stressful experience. By utilizing the following points, the condition can be alleviated. * Use relaxation techniques. * Prescribed medication should be followed. * Therapy by traumatic specialists. * Group treatment which provides support. * Honestly express your feelings to people that you trust. * Learn skills for coping with the condition. * Add more protein to the diet. * Increase potassium intake — oranges and bananas. * Increase magnesium — other fruits and vegetables. * Increase B complex — nuts * Increase vitamin C. * Increase water in-take. * Chamomile tea, bilberry, passion flower. Tips to avoid further stress * Regular exercise. * Learn to relax. * Practice deep breathing. * Monitor your daily routine. * Watch what you read and what you view on television. * Self-management of your emotions. Always be in control. * Get a massage as often as possible. * Increase your prayer habits — believe in divine power to heal. * Increase Bible study. Read passages that give comfort and hope. * Think positively, and avoid self-blame. * Identify your stressors and avoid them. * Be optimistic Foods to avoid * Carbonated drinks/sodas. * Chocolate. * Eggs. * Fried foods. * Red meats. * Sugar. * Chips and colored foods. * Spicy and over-seasoned foods * Caffeine. * Alcohol. * Tobacco.
Pansy Hamilton Brown can be reached at P.O. Box N-10152 Nassau, Bahamas or e-mail pansyhamb@hotmail.com.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009 |
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