Shocking or scary events always leave a mark which most people naturally overcome with time. Those that can not overcome the shock and trauma are often then diagnosed with Post-traumatic stress disorder.

Traumatic events that could result in PTSD include traffic accidents, sexual abuse, witnessing atrocities and other threats related to life.

This disorder makes most sufferers become frightened even when there is no obvious reason for fear.  A lot of people get depressed and experience higher everyday stress as a result of this disorder.

What is Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder is a mental disorder also referred to as battle fatigue syndrome that develop mostly in individuals that have been exposed to traumatic or scary events.  PTSD was formerly referred to as anxiety disorder but later became known as ‘trauma’.

It occurs when an individual frequently recollects traumatic events for more than one month thereby affecting the general wellbeing of the individual.

Post-traumatic stress disorder is more predominant among people, especially children, that have experienced interpersonal trauma like child abuse or rape.

People that experienced shocking events like ghastly accident and natural disaster are not at a higher risk to having PTSD when compared to those that experienced rape and other related traumas.

People that have post-traumatic stress disorder due to traumatic experiences usually have problems with their family members.  They also have problems with trust, communication and solving problems.  This will generally affect their relationships with others.  Women are more likely to develop this disorder than men and children.  Military and law enforcement personnel are also highly susceptible to having this disorder due to the nature of their work and the things they witness.  

Some people could be worried and confused about when they need to see a doctor concerning a traumatic experience.  Remember that it is normal to be anxious and frightened after a negative experience but when it becomes continuous and interferes with your normal life, then you need to see your doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment before it worsens.

Causes of Posttraumatic stress disorder

The major thing that will result in PTSD is experiencing traumatic events.  There are a number of other factors that could result in this disorder as well.

Genetic factors: Research has shown that PTSD can be hereditary, transferred from parent to children.

Alcoholism and drug abuse: Excessive intake of alcohol or drugs can cause post-traumatic stress disorder.

Symptoms of Post-traumatic stress disorder

Most people start noticing signs of post-traumatic stress disorder a few months after the experience. The signs vary from person to person and some people recover faster than the others.

Some of the symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress disorder include:

• Avoiding people or situations that may remind the person of the trauma.  This can lead to the person withdrawing from family members and friends as well as loss of interest in activities.
• Difficulty falling asleep or concentrating: When one starts experiencing difficulty falling asleep or concentrating continuously, especially after a traumatic experience, it could be a sign of post-traumatic stress disorder.  The person may also experience increased blood pressure, heart rate, diarrhoea and might have an unusual outburst of anger.
• Mood swings: This refers to drastic changes in moods from feeling fine to feeling angry or depressed.
• Nightmares and hallucination: Some people might start experiencing nightmares about their experiences which could result to distress. They might also experience flashbacks of their traumatic experience.

Natural Supplements To Help PTSD

The brain is responsible for mood changes, sleep, energy and the proper wellbeing. PSTD can throw this totally out of balance.  However, natural and nutritional supplements can help to restore the balance and relieve the symptoms.  Supporting the adrenal glands is very important as well.

Using Aromatherapy can also be very helpful.  Try some of the following essential oils:

Lifestyle Changes To Help PTSD

There are number of conventional therapies that could help the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder.

Yoga and Meditation:  Practicing yoga and meditation daily can help keep the mind and body calm.  It also gives a person something positive to focus on for a while.

Exercise:  Regular exercise not only keeps the body healthy in general but it also release endorphins that help you feel good and happy.  You don’t need to go to a busy gym if that is too daunting but try getting out for a walk or jog a few times a week.  

Change your diet:  It is important to reduce your intake of sugar and caffeine because they are anxiety provoking and can over-stress the already depleted adrenal glands.  Eat plenty of healthy fruits and vegetables along with moderate amounts of complete proteins.

A Calm Environment:  Giving yourself a calm, happy place to relax in can make a huge difference when dealing with PTSD.  Loud noises and busy areas can be distracting and irritating to frazzled nerves that often can’t take much more.  Provide yourself with at least one room in your house that is dedicated to calm and quiet.  Use softer lighting and if you desire some sort of background noise, play soft calming music.  Music with soft nature sounds can be extremely beneficial.

It is important to remember that you do not have to continue struggling through life with PTSD.  Through the use of natural supplements and a few simple lifestyle changes you will see the light at the end of the tunnel and enjoy life again.