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Feb 17 2021

Can PTSD Cause Depression?

Depression is one of the most famous mental disorders of the current generation. Thanks to the massive traction that depression has gained as a serious disease, research on curing and treating other major mental disorders has come under way.

After taking other mental disorders into account, scientists tend to find one disorder that can relate to depression, and that is PTSD.

PTSD comes under the larger umbrella of anxiety disorders, but is very different from other types of anxiety disorders. PTSD or post-traumatic stress disorder is a very common disorder among war veterans or people who have suffered some emotional or physical trauma in their life.

PTSD and depression share many symptoms and under the right circumstances, a person with PTSD can also spiral into depression or vice versa. Some of the most common symptoms for both of these diseases are feelings of hopelessness, loss of appetite, feeling down, insomnia, fatigue, and addiction. The aforementioned symptoms are just a few of the many symptoms that people with PTSD and depression share, but they also have many significant differences.

Symptoms unique to PTSD include flashbacks, impulses from reminders about the event, continuous remembrance of events though you are trying to resist thinking about them, and keeping your distance from people, places, activities, or any other memorabilia that may link to the traumatic incident are just a few of the symptoms that someone experiencing PTSD can go through.

However, the real question boils down to how PTSD can lead to depression or vice versa. To better understand the relationship between PTSD and depression you must first understand that there is a difference between feelings of depression and experiencing depressive symptoms. An obvious reaction to an unfair situation or some other traumatic event would be to feel down or sad. That being said, people who experience depressive symptoms do so under the minutest of details and this often happens spontaneously.

It is very common for people who suffer from PTSD to experience depressive symptoms. Depression often takes on as a result of the guilt that someone faces due to the traumatic incidents that occurred and how they find themselves somewhat responsible.

When depression tends to combine with other forms of mental disorders, it can often turn into a very catastrophic situation for the patient. Experiencing depression during PTSD can lead to drug abuse, suicidal tendencies, and deterioration of one’s mental health.

If you have been experiencing PTSD please start a FREE trial of online counseling and get help today.

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Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed in this post and any associated articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect opinions or policies of eTherapyPro. These posts and articles are shared for your enjoyment and consideration. Read them or not at your sole discretion and liability. They are not intended to replace counseling services rendered by licensed professionals. Consult with your counselor before implementing any content from these articles into your life.

Written by Etherapy-Blogs · Categorized: Uncategorized · Tagged: ptsd, ptsd attack, ptsd childhood trauma, ptsd disorder, ptsd therapy, ptsd trauma, ptsd treatment

Oct 23 2018

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

When it comes to talking about Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), most people have a basic understanding. Sadly, many have a loved one back from military service, or have survived a traumatic event, and are suffering from this mental injury and have seen the damage done by it firsthand. Let’s take a look at PTSD as a whole, so that if this seems like you or anyone you love, you can seek appropriate help.

It is estimated that there are more than 3 million people living with PTSD in the U.S. every year. The cause of PTSD is fairly concise to define: the person either experienced or witnessed a life-threatening event. Perhaps they were a part of combat in a war. Maybe they saw physical abuse in the home growing up. Possibly they were involved in a terrible car accident. Whatever the event, it has left them wounded in the way that trauma hurts people. Hence, if left untreated, the effects of that wound become the anxiety disorder PTSD.

Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

PTSD symptoms are generally divided into four different categories:

  1. re-experiencing the trauma
  2. avoidance
  3. hyperarousal
  4. negative thoughts and beliefs.

1. Re-experiencing 

Re-experiencing or reliving, the traumatic event includes these symptoms:

  • Frequently having upsetting thoughts or memories about a traumatic event
  • Having recurrent nightmares
  • Acting or feeling as though the trauma were happening again, sometimes called a flashback
  • Having strong feelings of distress when reminded of the traumatic event
  • Having a physical response, such as experiencing a surge in your heart rate or sweating, when reminded of the traumatic event 

2. Avoidance 

Actively avoiding people, places, or situations that remind you of the traumatic event includes these symptoms:

  • Making an effort to avoid thoughts, feelings, or conversations about the traumatic event
  • Going out of your way to avoid places or people that remind you of the traumatic event
  • Staying too busy to have time to think about the traumatic event

3. Hyperarousal

Feeling keyed up or on edge, known as hyperarousal, includes these symptoms:

  • Having a difficult time falling or staying asleep
  • Feeling more irritable or having outbursts of anger
  • Having difficulty concentrating
  • Feeling constantly on guard or like danger is lurking around every corner
  • Being jumpy or easily startled

4. Negative thoughts and beliefs

Thoughts and feelings about yourself and others may become negative and can include these symptoms:

  • Having a difficult time remembering important parts of the traumatic event
  • A loss of interest in important, once positive, activities
  • Feeling distant from others
  • Difficulty experiencing positive emotions, such as happiness or love
  • Feeling as though your life may be cut short

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is an anxiety disorder caused by a mental injury, that can be managed and treated with appropriate help. The sooner help is received, the easier it will be to treat the condition. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is best treated by a mental health professional such as, a psychiatrist, counselor, or therapist.  Therefore, online therapy, or counseling is a growing trend that is perfect for certain patients. Help and hope are available for those managing this serious disorder.

If you suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder start a FREE trial of online counseling and get help today.

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Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed in this post and any associated articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect opinions or policies of eTherapyPro. These posts and articles are shared for your enjoyment and consideration. Read them or not at your sole discretion and liability. They are not intended to replace counseling services rendered by licensed professionals. Consult with your counselor before implementing any content from these articles into your life.

Written by Ares Minks · Categorized: Uncategorized · Tagged: complex post traumatic stress disorder, post stress disorder, post traumatic disorder, post traumatic stress, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, post traumatic stress disorder anxiety, post traumatic stress disorder cognitive behavioral therapy, post traumatic stress disorder in children, post traumatic stress disorder treatment, post traumatic stress syndrome, pre traumatic stress disorder, ptsd, ptsd attack, ptsd childhood trauma, ptsd disorder, ptsd therapy, ptsd trauma, ptsd treatment, types of post traumatic stress disorder, types of ptsd

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