War is a very serious test for our psyche. This is true for both the military and ordinary people who face its manifestations every day. And not only those who live close to the frontline or under occupation are at risk, but also people from relatively calm regions. One of the most common mental disorders in this situation is post-traumatic stress disorder. PTSD during war is a condition that has a variety of symptoms and requires careful diagnosis. At the same time, it is highly treatable if a person seeks help in time.
Which groups are most likely to develop PTSD during martial law?
In psychiatry, post-traumatic stress disorder refers to a whole group of mental disorders that are united by the fact that they occur after a traumatic event. War is associated with a large number of such events, and people live in constant fear of death, so PTSD is diagnosed in many adult men and women, as well as children, after the war. Among the factors that increase the risk of getting this disorder, psychologists name the following:
- female gender;
- mental trauma experienced in childhood;
- long-term impact of a traumatic event on the human psyche;
- a history of mental illness;
- use of drugs, alcohol, psychoactive substances;
- lack of necessary support and assistance before and after the traumatic event.
As we have already mentioned, anyone can develop a psychological trauma of war, but those who survived the bombing, saw the death of others, people who were shot at, and prisoners of war are at risk.
The mechanism of PTSD development
The nature of PTSD is still not sufficiently understood. According to the data that scientists have already obtained, trauma affects various body systems: mental, endocrine, and nervous. Therefore, the entire body is negatively affected.
A characteristic feature of PTSD is the mechanism of recording traumatic information in memory. As a result, in the future, any details that even remotely resemble the traumatic event will cause an immediate defense reaction, which in turn manifests itself in negative symptoms. That is why PTSD after the war is as urgent a problem as it was during martial law.
Symptoms of PTSD
PTSD can manifest itself in different ways in different people, and this makes it somewhat difficult to diagnose. However, some symptoms are more common than others.
- Intrusive memories of a traumatic event. We are talking about so-called flashbacks, when a memory appears spontaneously, like a flash.
- Nightmares and nightmares, in which a person often relives the traumatic event over and over again.
- Excessive excitement. This symptom can be manifested by fearfulness, nervousness, and aggressiveness.
- Avoidance of mentions of the tragedy, as well as any triggers.
- Suicidal thoughts.
- Impaired memory and cognitive thinking. Loss of interest in the world around them.
- Drug and alcohol abuse.
How to treat PTSD?
If you suspect PTSD, you should consult a psychiatrist. As a rule, both medication and psychotherapy are used for this diagnosis. Among the most commonly used medications are various types of antidepressants, beta-blockers, hypnotics, neuroleptics, tranquilizers, normotimics, etc. The choice and combination of drugs depends on the clinical picture and the characteristics of each individual.
Psychotherapy is a very important component of PTSD treatment. The most commonly used methods for this disorder are cognitive behavioral therapy and the method of desensitization and reprocessing of trauma using eye movements. Resource-based psychotherapy has also shown positive results in dealing with PTSD, especially since this method does not require direct work with the traumatic event. Psychotherapy sessions can be quite long – from several months to several years. It all depends on the severity of PTSD, the support of loved ones, and other factors.