Health

Survivor of an attack, a road accident, a hostage-taking or a natural disaster... While it is logically difficult to recover from this type of situation, for some the trauma persists and has a lasting effect on their daily lives: this is post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD.

WHO CAN BE AFFECTED?

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can affect anyone who has experienced a traumatic event during which their physical integrity was threatened. This can be a natural disaster (flood, earthquake, storm, etc.), a war situation, an attack, but also an assault, a car accident or rape.
However, not all people who have experienced an event of this type necessarily report PTSD, without psychiatrists having truly identified the reasons.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

The main symptoms of post-traumatic stress can be classified into three main types:
Intrusion symptoms: memories of the traumatic event resurface regularly and uncontrollably in the form of nightmares or true flashbacks, during which the person truly relives the traumatic scene.
Avoidance symptoms: the person seeks to avoid anything that reminds them of the traumatic event (objects, situations, places, etc.).
Hyperarousal symptoms: the person is constantly on the lookout, in a state of alert.
In addition to these symptoms, many people with PTSD suffer from other psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety disorders, depression, etc. Drug, alcohol and medication abuse is sometimes associated with the onset of post-traumatic stress disorder.

HOW LONG DOES PTSD LAST?

The duration of the disorder, like the intensity of its symptoms, obviously varies depending on the person, the trauma and the treatment followed. Some people suffer from PTSD for only a few weeks, while others suffer from it for years. In the majority of cases, the disorder fades after a year or two.

ARE THERE TREATMENTS?

More and more psychiatrists are proposing EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, as a treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder. The principle of this technique, which consists of associating stressful emotions with sensory stimulation such as rapid eye movements, is not unanimous in the scientific community, but several studies have noted its effectiveness in the treatment of PTSD and it is becoming, for many, the reference in this care.

More traditionally, post-traumatic stress is treated using various psychotherapies, primarily cognitive behavioral therapies (CBT). These therapies do not eliminate traumatic memories, but teach patients to live with them. CBT is sometimes accompanied by drug treatment (antidepressants) under medical supervision.

I HAVE EXPERIENCED A TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCE: WHAT SHOULD I DO?

It is important not to isolate yourself after a trauma: surround yourself with loved ones and talk to them about what you have experienced and how you feel. Plan times to relax and rest, but try to quickly resume your usual activities. Avoid any consumption of alcohol and drugs after a traumatic or painful event.
If the trauma persists after several days, do not hesitate to consult a psychotherapist or your general practitioner who will refer you to a qualified professional.
Although PTSD most often occurs immediately after the traumatic event, it sometimes occurs months or even years after the event, following a trigger that may seem innocuous.