mentaldisorder | Chindeepinlife

Welcome back!

Although major symptoms are similar across the board, there are different types of PTSD. Depending on type, symptoms may be more severe or long-lasting, or they may require different types of therapeutic treatments. Given how detailed my last two posts concerning the subject matter might be, don’t be afraid to take it all in small, bite sized pieces.

COMPLEX PTSD
PTSD may have become more familiar to the common person, but there is a lesser-known variation of PTSD called complex PTSD (c-PTSD). The traditional form of PTSD may emerge after a single traumatic event. An example may be a life-threatening car crash. A person who lived through a car crash may find themselves afraid of driving, avoid getting in the car or driving in traffic, and have other symptoms associated with PTSD.

C-PTSD, on the other hand, is the result of repeated or ongoing traumatic events. Those who develop c-PTSD may have suffered ongoing childhood abuse, neglect, or repeatedly witnessed violence acted out on someone else. C-PTSD is more often associated with people who experience trauma in their childhood. It affects development, since they’re exposed to trauma during a highly developmental time in their life. This term is not in the DSM-5, but it is a term that mental health workers use to help describe the difference between someone who has experienced a single traumatic event, and one that has experienced chronic trauma, especially in childhood.

Symptoms of c-PTSD are similar to PTSD, but they also include additional behavioral differences:

Negative self-view. Those with c-PTSD may think very poorly of themselves or may carry ongoing feelings of guilt, shame, and helplessness.
Trouble controlling or regulating emotions. An explosive temper, given easily to sadness, or even have feelings of depression or suicidal thoughts.
Difficulty developing or maintaining relationships. Trouble trusting others and will avoid starting relationships.
Dissociative symptoms. Disconnected thoughts, memories, actions, difficulty concentrating, and identity. Some develop alternative identities. It’s a brain’s defense mechanism that tries to escape reality. Some people may also suffer from amnesia. Therapy can help people diagnosed with c-PTSD, but it’s usually a longer process and takes more effort from a therapist and patient to undo the damage done in childhood.

POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS
PTS or Post Traumatic Stress is actually not a type of PTSD, but it could be a precursor for it. Those with PTS experience many of the same symptoms as PTSD such as avoidance or nightmares. The difference is that those who suffer from PTS experience those symptoms with less severity and for a shorter period of time. People with PTSD will continue showing those symptoms for longer periods of time and with greater intensity.

According to Dr. James Bender of the Deployment Health Clinical Center: PTS is a common, normal, and often adaptive response to experiencing a traumatic or stressful event. Common occurrences, like car accidents, can trigger PTS as well as more unusual events like military combat or kidnapping. Almost everyone who experiences a scary situation will show at least a few signs of post-traumatic stress. Symptoms from PTS will subside after a few days and they won’t interfere with a person’s life in any meaningful way. The traumatic event may make them more careful in the future, but it won’t stop them from living their life normally.

COMORBID PTSD
Those with comorbid PTSD are people who have both PTSD and another mental disorder. In this case, someone may have PTSD and depression, or PTSD and generalized anxiety disorder. Anxiety, depression, and substance abuse are the most common types of comorbidity with PTSD. It’s estimated that as much as 80% of people with PTSD have another co-occurring psychiatric disability.

Thanks for being here! Your readership of my blog is much appreciated, and I hope it has been a learning experience thus far. PTSD sufferers often exhibit risky behaviors, which often affects their relationships-the focus of the next post.

Hope to have you!

To Your Success,
Juan

Did you know anxiety can affect your attention span? Researchers believe there is a brain connection between the two. Initial studies on teens, show they’re more likely to have both issues together. If you have anxiety or trouble concentrating, consider the following discoveries:

The link between anxiety and attention. Here is what researchers at the University of Texas discovered:

Teens who have anxiety, are also more likely to perform worse in school, because of attention issues. They also saw a connection between anxiety, and other mental health issues like depression and suicide.

Researchers shared that in some cases anxiety appeared first, while in others, it was attention span. Recognizing the first issue, can help families deal with the second.

Teens who had problems concentrating, were also more likely to have anxiety. Experts believe there is a deeper reason for this in the brain.

Unconscious anxiety. Medical experts believe unconscious anxiety, can explain some cases of attention deficit disorders.

Unconscious anxiety occurs, when you don’t recognize you’re actually suffering from worry and concern. You have trouble concentrating, often blame it on your poor attention span. However, in reality, your unconscious anxiety is actually preventing you from being able to focus. The root of this anxiety can be buried among deeper emotional concerns.

Overlapping symptoms. Anxiety and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can overlap. Shared symptoms can include having trouble concentrating, focusing on one task, not having control over your impulses, being irritable, feeling scared and afraid to try new things.

It’s not always easy to tell apart anxiety and attention disorders.

Treatment and help. If you or someone you care about has anxiety and attention issues, seeking help may bring real benefits.

Treatment options can include medication to control anxiety, and help attention spans. Another option is therapy that helps adjust behavior. Meditation and relaxation, are also commonly used to help both disorders.

The role of learning disabilities. It’s important to avoid overlooking learning disabilities, that can exacerbate anxiety and attention issues. Researchers have noticed all three issues can occur together.

In some cases, learning disabilities are not caught right away as a child starts school. Children are sometimes able to compensate, so the issues go undiagnosed.

Anxiety and attention disorders can be worse in children with learning disabilities. By focusing on the learning issues, they have the chance to succeed in school and reduce their anxiety. A child with a learning disability can feel anxious before every test, and might try to avoid classes. In addition, the same child can be so stressed, they’re unable to concentrate on the simplest tasks. The learning disability makes these issues more difficult to treat.

It’s important to note that kids aren’t the only ones who suffer from all three conditions. Adults can spend years being misdiagnosed, or not getting the proper treatments.

Anxiety and attention issues can appear together. If you or a loved one suffers from these issues, current research can help you understand, what is happening in the brain and seek treatment. As a Social Work Contractor, I am in a unique position to to help clients with the daily challenges, some of which can be incredibly hard to move past.

Helpful resources:

Download this FREE page of an Anxiety Journal. It will help you to keep track of your moods. Print out as many pages as you need.
American Psychology Association offers help and insights on all things mental health.
Contact the National Alliance on Mental Health :1800 950 NAMI, if you need additional resources and support.

To Your Success,
Juan