Will Panic Disorder Eventually Go Away on its Own?
The only thing worse than a panic attack is worrying about when the next one will strike – will they ever go away? Find out if there's hope for eliminating panic disorder from your life for good.
No, Not Only Veterans Struggle with PTSD
Everyone has specific struggles and hardships they're living through. Yes, military members have to worry about the threat of war, but someone struggling with how to pay their bills or the aftermath of a car accident worries too.
For some people, getting over a hard time is simple, while others have to deal with the long-term effects of a traumatic event in the form of PTSD. Many people consider PTSD as a military disorder that veterans live with, but it affects a wider group than that.
PTSD is a severe mental health disorder that can be debilitating without the proper treatment. If you think you may be living with PTSD, the experts at Carolina Wellness Psychiatry have the tools and knowledge to help.
Our team consists of two board-certified psychiatrists and one board-certified psychologist. All three practitioners take PTSD very seriously and work with you to find a treatment plan that's best for you.
What is PTSD?
Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is a disorder that affects your mental health after a traumatic or terrifying ordeal. According to the American Psychiatric Association, one in every 11 people will have PTSD at some point in their life, affecting more than 3.5% of adults in the United States yearly.
Many people attribute PTSD to those serving in the military or veterans who've seen the horrors of war. While it's true that veterans are likely to have PTSD, they're not the only ones that PTSD affects.
PTSD can happen after any trauma and can stick around for a long time. The symptoms of the disorder vary, but many people deal with the following:
- Flashbacks
- Nightmares
- Severe distress with triggers
- Avoiding certain activities
- Feeling numb or hopeless
- Trouble maintaining relationships
- Memory issues of the event
- Loss of interest in activities
- Aggressive or risky behavior
- Anger, shame, and guilt
- Easily startled or scared
Some people also engage in dangerous behaviors such as drinking too much, driving under the influence, or experimenting with drugs to cope with upsetting symptoms. The severity of the symptoms depends on the person, the trauma that caused the PTSD, and how they cope emotionally.
Why many veterans have PTSD
Veterans are one of the groups of people who are at a high risk of developing PTSD. To start, they have frequent exposure to the violent deaths of many people, including friends and comrades.
They also have to be away from family and friends for long periods, who are often their prominent support people. According to the Anxiety and Depression Society of America, PTSD is prevalent in one of three or one of five people who are first responders, active military, or veterans.
Veterans and military members who have been in active combat zones or involved in the front lines of war are the most susceptible to PTSD because they witness firsthand the horrors most of us will never know.
Veterans may have had to take someone's life to save their own or watch a bomb or IED kill their friends and comrades right in front of them. And worse, they often won’t talk to their loved ones or friends about their emotions for fear of looking weak.
Others who may be living with PTSD
Although veterans are at the highest risk of developing PTSD, they're not the only ones affected. Anyone of any age, gender, or ethnicity can have PTSD after just about any upsetting or traumatic event.
We often see patients who are living with PTSD for many reasons, including the death of a loved one or fallout from a severe car accident. But there are still many more that PTSD can affect, including anyone who's lived through:
- Human trafficking
- Abuse from a loved one
- Sexual assault or rape
- Robbery or home invasion
- Physical assault or emotional abuse
- Car accidents, work accidents, or severe injury
- Childhood trauma or abuse
You're also at risk for PTSD if you have a job that exposes you to violence or death, including firefighters, nurses, police officers, and paramedics. It only takes one scary event to make a lasting impression on your mental health.
The good news is there's help for anyone living with PTSD. At Carolina Wellness Psychiatry, we evaluate each patient individually, assess symptoms and concerns, and provide a customized treatment plan that may involve medications, psychotherapy, or both.
We offer PTSD treatment, anxiety and depression treatment, and help for other mental health issues for veterans, first responders, and even kids dealing with PTSD or trouble coping with life.
To find out more about our PTSD treatments, call the Carolina Wellness Psychiatry team today at 919-446-3232, or send us a message on the website.
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