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Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Healing, Recovery and Growth
Post-traumatic stress symptoms are commonly experienced by people after exposure to very stressful or traumatic events. People with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) may experience three main types of symptoms: reliving the trauma, avoidance and signs of physical stress. Most people experience symptoms of PTSD shortly after trauma but the symptoms improve naturally within three months. For others, the symptoms can last for years. Some people do not start to experience symptoms until many years after the event.
The road to recovery is different for each person. In some cases, symptoms will resolve themselves fairly quickly. In other cases, recovery will be a marathon. How long treatment for PTSD lasts depends on how many traumas you suffered, how severe they were, how bad the symptoms are now and how many other problems you are having in your life. The availability of adaptive coping strategies, resources and support is also important for one's recovery.
Healing commences by applying skills formulated to manage PTSD symptoms. A therapist will teach you ways to cope with the feelings and tensions that come with traumatic memories. These include methods of reducing distressing arousal, managing anger and feelings of guilt, as well as intrusions.
Secondly, healing occurs when traumatic memory is processed or integrated. A therapist may help you face the memories by guiding you to recall the story of what happened. By doing this, the memories will become less upsetting. They can be transformed and reorganised in a meaningful way.
Finally, for the healing process to be effective, the therapist will teach you ways of addressing negative thoughts and how to handle other problems in life.
When you recover, the symptoms of PTSD will be fewer and less severe than before. You will be able to recall the traumatic event at will, instead of suffering from intrusive memories or nightmares. Feelings about the event can be identified and endured without overwhelming arousal, disassociation, or numbing. You are no longer isolated from other people but have restored your capacity for trust and attachment. You have assigned meaning to the trauma. Losses have been addressed and the mourning process completed; self-blame has been replaced by self-acceptance; obsessive rumination about the past has been replaced by realistic evaluation. You are able, once again, to commit to your future and take responsibility for your life.
Some people may actually experience mental growth following trauma - positive changes claimed from adversity, such as the emergence of new possibilities, new life paths, spiritual growth, and better relationships with friends and family.
Seek advice and help from the Psychological Services Group: PHQ, Hong Kong Island and Marine: 2866-6206 (5/F, 111 Leighton Road, Causeway Bay); Kowloon and the New Territories: 2735-3739 (22/F, Ocean Building, 80 Shanghai Street, Kowloon).
Reference: Schiraldi, G. R. (2000). The Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Source Book. Lowell House.