Depression and post-traumatic stress disorder are the most common mental health problems faced by returning troops and occurs after experiencing severe trauma or a life-threatening event.
It’s normal for the mind and body to be in shock after such an event, but this normal response becomes PTSD when the nervous system gets “stuck” and becomes unable to return to its normal state of balance and being unable to move on from the event.
A person with PTSD can experience the physical sensations of panic attacks, such as heart palpitations, shortness of breath, and hot flashes.
However, these attacks are brought on by the re-experiencing of the traumatic event through such experiences as dreams, thoughts, and flashbacks.
PTSD symptoms are generally grouped into four types:
1- intrusive memories
2- avoidance
3- negative changes in thinking and mood
4- changes in physical and emotional reactions.
Without treatment, PTSD could last for years or even for the rest of life.