Let's talk about HEALTH beyond its border..: P.T.S.D

I believe this is quite a big topic in disaster as most victims experiencing trauma; can be as little as they can easily and independently overcome it, or as complicated and tough as it becomes severe.

PTSD, stands for post-traumatic stress disorder, is an anxiety disorder that can develop to become a significant stress after exposure to a terrifying event or ordeal in which grave physical harm occurred or was threatened. According to MERCK, PTSD causes recurring, intrusive recollections of an overwhelming traumatic incident that persist more than 1 months, as well as emotional numbing and hyperarousal.

"How PTSD occurs?"

It starts with trauma, where the initial normal reflections of a person are fear or worry represented by the characteristics of being anxious. The feelings collectively produce personal response which can be either realistic or unrealistic. The unrealistic responses are what is called PTSD.

"Time course and PTSD subtypes"

"Will everyone experience PTSD?"

No. It depends on the vulnerability of each individual, which is influenced by several factors:

1. Pre trauma factors

i. Ability to be independent

Individual inner protective skills enables some people to be "protected" from get carried away too much by his/ her own feelings or emotions as to be an I- don't- care person.. Ignorance is bliss, eh?

ii. Family

Family "trainings" affect a lot on one's characteristic and yes, one's life. Remember when we were little, and our parents (or love- to- bully big brothers or sisters..) threaten us with things like, "If you go out alone, you'll be kidnapped!" or "If you go to that place, ghost will catch you!"? This actually consciously or subconsciously influenced our capability to face things truly boldly.

Other pre- trauma factors can be the presence of prior traumatization(s), pessimistic thoughts, hereditary, recent life stressors, and initial distress at the time of trauma.

2. Post trauma factors

i. Secondary victimization

This is very common to happen. Such as for the people to be the victim of the Merapi eruption disaster is their primary victimization, then there come another plight at the refugee camp.. Can be like, the staffs scold or even insult them when they don't queue properly in a line to take their foods or as the refugees sleep together in a very large number of people of variety background causing the high occurrence of sexual harassment or even abuse:(

ii. Ineffective coping

There are two types of refugees. One is grateful- type, they accept and appreciate with what they are given. Another type is the opposite's: Ungrateful and even keep complaining.. They should actually learn to adapt with the situations..

Other post- trauma factors can be the recovery environments and the lacking or ineffective treatments.

"Can PTSD be treated?"

Yes:) There are 2 types of management for PTSD: Pharmaceutical approach and Healing approach.

1. Pharmaceutical

Symptomatic drugs.

Examples:

Benzodiazepines for anxiety or insomnia
TCAs (Tricyclic antidepressants) for depression
SSRIs (Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) for PTSD itself

2. Healing

These 7 principles of healing will indeed help the healing process of PTSD:

1. Starts by applying skills to manage PTSD symptoms

This includes skills to reduce distressing arousal and manage anger or intrusions. It's not curative, but reduce the troubling symptoms.

2. Healing occurs when traumatic memory is processed or integrated

The traumatic memory is connected to adaptive material be it the thoughts or emotions. Those can be released or expressed so the memory is connected to calmer, more supportive emotions as verbalizing helps to the memory together and be viewed more logical and realistic:)

3. Healing occurs when confronting replaces avoidance

Avoidance is the hallmark of anxiety disorder. Face it, don't run from it..

4. Healing occur in the climate of safety and pacing

Traumatized is a state of feeling unsafe. Progression is steadily yet slowly to remain in control.

5. Healing occurs when boundaries are intact

Set up a firm, positive and realistic boundaries, then stay in the "safe zone":)

6. Kind awareness and acceptance of feeling aid the healing journey

Realizing that things happened for reason, and it's in the past though. Be optimistic.

7. Balance in our lives is necessary

Not too much, not too least. Being too emotional or even too much of being an "I don't care anything" are not a good idea.