Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a condition that medical professionals who are caring for the triple-train disaster survivors in Balasore, Odisha, are experiencing.
A person will often experience a traumatic or horrific episode or stage, such as a catastrophe, war, or conflict, before developing PTSD, a psychiatric illness. those from all walks of life may develop it, but soldiers and those from places where there has been conflict are more likely to do so.
The medics caring for survivors of the Odisha railway catastrophe have included counseling into their care while taking patients’ mental health needs into consideration.
Here, we discuss the findings of the medical professionals, PTSD, and treatment options.
Doctors report that more than a third of patients exhibit symptoms of PTSD.
According to medical professionals, 40 out of 105 patients at the SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack are displaying PTSD-like symptoms, according to PTI.
According to SCB Medical College’s Dr. Jashobanta Mahapatra, the institution has begun offering counseling to all patients in light of the survivors’ mental health conditions. He said that it was only natural for such a catastrophe to have a profound effect on the survivors’ psyche.
“Many were reported to be quite anxious, afraid, sometimes terrified, and quiet. Mahapatra, an associate professor in the clinical psychology department, said that we are counseling them and speaking with them as well as their families.
According to Mahapatra, who described the treatment strategy to PTI, “Each team is made up of a psychiatrist, a psychologist, a social worker, and one or two members of the patient’s family.”
According to hospital employees who spoke to PTI, patients are unable to fall asleep and often wake up out of the blue crying out the names of loved ones they lost in the disaster.
According to PTI, a 23-year-old guy who suffered fractured hands and legs in the accident is unable to get any rest during the day or at night.
A doctor told PTI, “He dread to shut his eyes as pictures of the catastrophe flash before him.
Another medical professional revealed to PTI that a different young guy who lost a close buddy often wakes up and yells out his friend’s name. Some patients, the doctor said, just look at the wall.
Another doctor told PTI that some patients weep when they observe their condition, while others laugh uncontrollably, adding that these symptoms may be cured with time.
According to Mahapatra, who spoke to PTI, all of the patients are stable and she is certain that they would all recover from their mental stress. He continued by saying that some of them could need more time than others.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): What is it?
A former name for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was combat weariness syndrome or shell shock. Refugees from war-torn or conflict-prone places, soldiers, and other persons still seem to experience it more often than others.
The PTSD may impact anybody who has experienced a traumatic or horrific occurrence, which can vary from mental or physical abuse to natural catastrophe, accidents, or the death of loved ones. Although it is more frequent in conflict-prone regions.
The following are listed as PTSD causes by the National Health Service (NHS) of the UK:
major mishaps
abuse of any kind, including physical or sexual assault, domestic or child abuse,
work-related stress exposure, including distant exposure
severe health issues, such being in critical care, childbearing experiences, including losing a baby, the loss of a loved one, war and violence, and torture
According to WebMD, PTSD symptoms fall into one of four categories:
Reliving: Those who suffer from PTSD often revisit the terrible event in their minds and memories, including in flashbacks, hallucinations, and dreams. They could also become active during conversations about the tragedy or its anniversary.
Avoiding: Another PTSD symptom is the tendency to steer clear of persons, places, things, or circumstances connected to the trauma.
According to WebMD, this may cause a person to feel distant and alone from their loved ones and friends and to lose interest in past interests.
Increased arousal: The individuals experience a “jumpy” emotional state that manifests physically as well, including fast breathing, increased blood pressure, heart rate, and nausea.
“These include excessive emotions; problems relating to others, including feeling or showing affection; difficulty falling or staying asleep; irritability; outbursts of anger; difficulty concentrating; and being “jumpy” or easily startled,” according to WebMD. Physical symptoms such fast breathing, muscular tension, nausea, and diarrhea, as well as elevated blood pressure and heart rate, might also be experienced by the individual.
Feelings of guilt and negativity are referred to as negative cognitions and mood.
“This refers to thoughts and feelings related to blame, estrangement, and memories of the traumatic event,” explains WebMD.
It is now recognized that PTSD may affect anybody, regardless of background or age, despite the fact that it was originally thought to be predominantly related to war and battle.
“PTSD may strike anybody at any age, regardless of race, country, or culture. Every year, 3.5 percent of adult Americans suffer from PTSD. 8% of teenagers aged 13 to 18 have ever had PTSD. Approximately one in eleven persons may get a PTSD diagnosis over their lifetime. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), women are twice as likely as males to have PTSD.
PTSD diagnosis and therapy
A physical examination is followed by a mental assessment to diagnose PTSD.
A physical examination is conducted to identify or rule out any physical conditions that could be the source of the symptoms.
Even if the Cuttack physicians claim the patients are showing signs of PTSD, it is believed that the condition can only be identified after one month has passed after the event and when the symptoms have persisted for more than a month. A psychiatrist or psychologist makes the definitive diagnosis.
According to WebMD, “Psychiatrists and psychologists analyze a person for the existence of PTSD or other mental illnesses using specifically developed interview and evaluation instruments. The doctor bases their PTSD diagnosis on the patient’s stated symptoms, including any functional issues brought on by the symptoms. The physician next decides if the severity of the dysfunction and the symptoms point to PTSD.
It also states that PTSD is diagnosed if the signs and symptoms persist for more than a month.
Psychotherapy, medication, or a combination of the two may be used to treat PTSD.
Three different kinds of psychotherapies are available to treat PTSD, according to the Mayo Clinic:
Various forms of psychotherapy, commonly known as talk therapy, may be used to treat PTSD in both adults and children. One example of a psychotherapy modality used to treat PTSD is:
Cognitive therapy is a kind of talk therapy that aids in recognizing your thought patterns, such as unfavorable self-perceptions and the likelihood of traumatic events recurring.
To treat PTSD, exposure treatment is often combined with cognitive therapy. It is a kind of behavioral therapy that teaches you how to properly deal with your fears.
This behavioral therapy supports you in securely confronting memories and events that make you feel uncomfortable so you may develop coping mechanisms. Flashbacks and nightmares may respond especially well to exposure treatment. According to Mayo Clinic, one method involves using virtual reality applications that let you return to the scene of your trauma.
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR): EMDR involves directed eye movements in addition to exposure treatment. According to Mayo Clinic, the goal of EDMR is to assist you in processing traumatic experiences and alter how you respond to them.
According to WebMD, family or group therapy may also be explored if PTSD affects the whole family or when a person may benefit from talking about their experiences and interacting with others.
A few other types of medications may also be used to treat PTSD. According to WebMd, these medications include antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and antipsychotics. It also notes that certain blood pressure medications are also used to treat nightmares, sleep disorders, and to lessen the creation of traumatic memories.
To treat PTSD, medications and psychotherapies are often combined.
