PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) as defined by the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, is "a serious potentially debilitating condition that can occur in people who have experienced or witnessed a natural disaster, serious accident, terrorist incident, sudden death of a loved one, war, violent personal assault such as rape, or other life-threatening events." I am an 18-year-old female with PTSD. I was diagnosed a few months ago along with panic, which is a horrible combination.
How did I acquire PTSD?
My cousin died in a sudden motorcycle accident. Something about the way it happened, or the funeral, caused me to consider it a trauma. My brain ended up internalizing it and avoiding grief, which lead me into depression and the symptoms of panic.
How can you get PTSD and not be a veteran?
Anyone can have PTSD. In the definition above, war is not the only cause of PTSD. PTSD is caused by trauma to an individual. As my therapist said, "You cannot determine what someone considers a trauma." The death of my cousin registered as a trauma to me.
How does PTSD work?
I am taking pieces from the Psych Central web page. The amygdala becomes very active. The person will place negative emotions on everyday things. Everything becomes a threat. The hippocapus is underactive. Any past threats are not identified as being in the past, but the present. Hormones become unstable and the body will become easily fatigued. It makes life a miserable experience.
What are the symptoms of PTSD?
According to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, symptoms can range from nightmares, flashbacks and depression to insomnia, disassociation and feelings of intense grief. The symptoms I have encountered are insomnia, anxiety, depression, feelings of hopelessness and panic when things associated with my cousin's death are brought up.
How is it treated?
PTSD is treated with cognitive behavioral therapy or any type of therapy that can be beneficial. Sometimes, medication is needed to combat anxiety. I take Lexapro as a way to stabilize my panic.
Did you know you had PTSD?
I didn't before my therapist told me so. I had self-diagnosed myself with anxiety and that is all. My mom and I had identified that there was something holding me back mentally and that was when I decided to go see a therapist to settle out my issues.
How did you feel after you were diagnosed?
To be honest, I was angry and hurt that I had this problem for two years and I didn't identify it sooner, but I was also relieved. It was an answer I had been needing for a long time.
What will you do now that you are diagnosed?
There is no cure for PTSD, but a way to manage it. I will always have my panic as well, but I am working through grief and learning how to calm myself down. I was able to complete four milestones without anxiety and I am super proud of the progress I have made. Therapy is the best decision I have ever made.
PTSD controlled my life. I was afraid to go outside and face my everyday life. Waking up was a nightmare for me. I saw the world as only death, as if the only thing I could do on this earth was live and die. That is not true at all, so I decided to seek help and change my perspective.
PTSD can affect anyone. I was young when I developed it, and it is crazy to think that it could happen to any healthy person. PTSD is consuming and overwhelming, but it isn't the end of your life. If you think you may have this problem, please go seek out a therapist who can help you identify your underlining issues. If you also suffer, you are not alone. Plenty of people, and even celebrities, suffer from mental illness every day. PTSD is a problem, but it doesn't control you.
