Post Traumatic Stress Disorder – Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Abstract
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a condition in which the person may experience long-term behavioral changes that can cause problems at work, at home, and in personal life. Some of them can start numbing behavior (misuse of alcohol, or drugs). Therefore it is important to take care of our near ones if they have experienced any trauma recently. PTSD is thought to affect 8-9% of the population Children may also suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) if they had experienced any trauma like sexual abuse, death of near one, etc. Children may also consider revenge in the future. This article will spotlight symptoms, causes, ayurvedic aspects, and Treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Introduction
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) develops in people who have witnessed a fear of dangerous situations or sudden shock in the recent past and fail to recover. Triggers can bring back memories of trauma accompanied by intense physical and emotional reactions. Everyone experiences fear after a sudden trauma, yet they recover naturally with time. But the people who continue to experience the same symptoms/feeling after that trauma (even when they are in no danger) may be diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Ayurvedic Aspect
In Ayurveda stress is defined as Sahasa and is described as a symptom of many diseases, but not itself a disease. Stress is induced due to Ojkshaya (a decrease in immunity). The immunity decreases due to many reasons. But in case of stress, the Gunas on which most of the working of our body depends are imbalanced. These guns are laghu (light), teekshan (sharp), ushan (hot), ruksh (dry), khar (rough), dravya (liquid), kathin (hard), chala (mobile), suksham (subtle), and vishada (clear). Excess and decrease of these gunas can inevitably wear the person down. However, in Ayurveda balancing excess stress is very simple, you will find treatment protocol to manage stress further in the article.
Symptoms
Symptoms usually can be seen within 3 months of the trauma, but can also start later. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, APA, a person must meet the set of symptoms to be stated as affected with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
These Guidelines are as Follows
Experiencing these 4 symptoms- intrusion, avoidance, mood and thinking changes, sudden arousals after trauma for more than 1 month.
These four symptoms include
1. Nightmares
- Flashback
- Fearful thoughts
2. Avoidance – Avoiding situations
- Refusing symptoms
3. Mood Affecting Symptoms – Difficult Concentrating
- Feeling of guilt
- Depression
- Phobias
- Anxiety
4. Arousal – Difficult sleeping
- Anger
- Irritability
Causes
As described previously, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) occurs after a traumatic event that can vary in every situation. Some examples of traumatic events are
- Natural disaster
- Terror attack
- Loss of loved ones
- The victim of a violence
- Rape /sexual abuse
- Accidents
- Unexpected happenings
- In short, any situation that triggers shock, or fear, in a person can cause Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is done based on symptoms and the period the patient is suffering from PTSD. Criteria for diagnosis are followed as laid by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, which has been described earlier in this article.
Complications
People with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) may develop other health problems which generally include –
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Dementia
- Substance misuse disorder
- Personality disorder
- Risk of suicidal ideation
Treatment
Basis Treatment protocol followed in medical pathy of the treatment of such conditions includes –
- Psychotherapy
- Antidepressants – Tablets to reduce stress and other symptoms are prescribed to the patient. But long-term use of such medicines may cause immense side effects.
- Self-help – By indulging yourself with people near you, getting busy, doing stuff you like most, listening to music, and accepting PTSD is not a sign of weakness and can happen to anyone.
- Yoga and Meditation– Doing yoga and meditation regularly by managing time from the busy day schedule implies one cares for their body. They help by enhancing body fitness physically and relaxing the mind.
Herbal Remedies for Post Traumatic stress disorder by Planet Ayurveda
Whereas, along with yoga and meditation, simultaneously certain herbal medicines are prescribed to the patient that has been doing wonders in stress relieving. These medicines are patent products of planet Ayurveda which is a leading manufacturing company in India. All its medicines are 100% vegetarian and free of any kind of chemicals, preservatives, and adulteration. The basic treatment includes the following medicines-
1. Neurogenie Capsules
These wonderful capsules are made with Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), and roots of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera). These herbs are very efficient in treating brain disorders. In PTSD patients these capsules work through the trauma of the person and help to gain control of their fear and distress.
Dosage – Have 2 capsules 2 times daily with water.
2. Stress Support
This classical supplement is prepared from the standard extracts of the herb Tagara (Valeriana wallichii), Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), and Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera). These herbs along with tagara help to relieve stress and anxiety. These capsules induce peaceful sleep and the person feels more in control.
Dosage – Have 1 capsule twice daily with water
3. Mahakalyanaka Ghrit
This formulation is prepared with kwath of various dravyas- Shweta sariva (Hemidesmus indicus), Shalparni (Desmodium gangeticum), Priyangu (Callicarpa macrophylla), Jati (Jasminum officinale), Gaughrit (Cow ghee), Padmak (Prunus cerasoides), Gaudugdha (Cow milk), etc and kalks of dravyas like – Medha (Polygonatum cirrhifolium), Kakoli (Lilium polyphyllum), Karkatshringi (Pistacia integerrima), etc. Consuming this ghrit regularly strengthens the brain and helps the person to have more positive emotions, thoughts, and behavior.
Dosage – Take 1 tablespoon twice daily with mishri (not for the diabetic patient) and water.
4. Arjun Tea
This herbal tea formulation is prepared by ksheer paak (processing herbs with water as well as milk to get better benefits from herbs) of the herbs – Pipal tvak (Ficus religiosa), Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa), etc herbs along with Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna). This herbal tea will nourish your heart muscles and blood vessels, which ultimately improves blood circulation to the whole body and the brain. In a very effective manner, this tea will give strength to the brain, to overcome the condition of PTSD.
Dosage – Drink 1 cup daily for better results.
Conclusion
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental condition that affects people differently. The ayurvedic herbs do wonders in stress relieving. The patient needs to be treated naturally with brain tonics so that they learn to deal with their memories effectively. However, the condition gets better only with time and regularly following your doctor’s guidance. So, why depend on chemicals for too long (which can cause hazardous side effects) when the condition can be managed naturally just by consulting the right doctor at www.planeteyurveda.com
Dr. Vikram Chauhan
Latest posts by Dr. Vikram Chauhan (see all)
- ALTERNATIVE AYURVEDIC TREATMENT FOR CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE - July 24, 2024
- Ayurvedic Treatment for Liver Disease with Herbal Remedies - July 22, 2024
- Ayurvedic Treatment For Diabetes Mellitus With Herbal Remedies - July 4, 2024
- Ayurvedic Aspect Of Liver And Management Of Liver Diseases - July 3, 2024
- Natural Ayurvedic Treatment For Fibromyalgia With Herbal Remedies - July 2, 2024
