Hello my name is Maeve Waddell and for a college English 102 class I was tasked with writing an essay about an issue in our world today, identifying, discussing its severity and providing short and long term fixes for it. I was looking for some feedback on my essay, specifically I would like someone to read my essay and tell me my 3 areas of weakness, what I did well and what you would have done differently if you were writing this essay. Criticism is much appreciated, thank you!!!
PTSD in Modern Society: Barriers and effective treatment
About 6 out of every 100 people in the U.S. will develop PTSD at some time, according to The Department of Veterans Affairs. Post-traumatic stress disorder is a very prevalent and widespread issue in our society today, and there are new methods of therapy and drugs to help treat it. Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, affects many people who have experienced trauma in their lives. There are many serious side effects of PTSD that can often be debilitating to those who are experiencing the disorder. There are also barriers to treating the side effects of PTSD, as there is often stigma around the disorder, as well as high prices for treatments that many people can not afford. While the effects of PTSD can often be serious and debilitating, there are effective treatments to help alleviate symptoms. Post-Traumatic Stress disorder is a widespread and debilitating issue that affects people, but despite the barriers to care there are effective and emerging therapies and treatments for the disorder to help better symptoms. This essay will explore the prevalence of the issue, the extent and side effects of the disorder, and propose both short-term and long term fixes to truly help victims of PTSD.
History of the Problem
Post-traumatic stress disorder is a condition that is a result of experiencing trauma. Trauma is common globally. A report based on the World Mental Health surveys found that, "70% of the populations in the countries studied reported exposure to a traumatic event"(National Library of Medicine). Trauma is common throughout the world due to unavoidable life events such as accidents, sudden losses, interpersonal violence and natural disasters. While many individuals that experience trauma respond with resilience, many who do not go on to develop PTSD. There are a few reasons why a person may go on to develop PTSD. First, there is a lack of social support from loved ones after the traumatic event. Strong support can foster resilience helping the victim overcome the issue. Second, the person has had previous trauma or mental health conditions. A history of previous trauma or trauma in childhood as well as preexisting conditions such as anxiety or depression can make the person more susceptible and likely to develop PTSD from experienced trauma. Third, there are biological and genetic factors that determine whether people's experienced trauma will develop into PTSD. According to the University of California San Diego Health, Genetics account for 5-20% of the variance in PTSD risk. Abnormal levels of the chemicals cortisol and serotonin in a person's brain can influence how they respond. There are also structural brain differences such as overactive fear circuitry and a smaller hippocampus that affect how people will respond. Fourth, the persons' perspective during the event can increase the likelihood of developing PTSD. If the person feels helpless, extremely scared or out of control during the event this can increase the risk of developing the disorder. The fifth and final reason that determines whether a person's experienced trauma will develop into PTSD is the person's neuroplasticity at the time of the event and brain function. If that part of the person's brain that is responsible for rational thought called the prefrontal cortex is shrunk or has become less active it is harder for the brain to process that a traumatic event has occurred, which leads to a loop of reliving trauma.
Extent of the problem
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a prevalent and widespread issue. PTSD is a widespread issue, and a statistic states, "About one half of all U.S. adults will experience at least one traumatic event in their lives, but most do not develop PTSD" (National Institute of Mental Health). PTSD is so prevalent that the need for treatment for individuals with PTSD is constantly expanding as half of people experience a traumatic event in their lifetime that could potentially develop into PTSD. Veterans are one of the most well known for developing PTSD because of their constant and prolonged exposure to stress, and life-threatening combat situations, witnessing stress and assault. Seven percent of Veterans will experience PTSD in their lifetime. Non-veterans or civilians also suffer trauma and can experience Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. About 6 out of every 100 people in the U.S. will develop PTSD at some time, according to the department of veterans affairs.
Repercussions of the problem
The repercussions of PTSD include leaving the symptoms untreated which can lead to further harmful and even debilitating side effects. PTSD can be debilitating, affecting the victims mental health, family and relationships. PTSD not only has very intense side effects, its symptoms also affect families, relationships and workplaces. The effects of PTSD can last for years if it goes untreated, causing side effects such as nightmares, flashbacks, severe anxiety, and emotional numbness. It is even common for "Untreated PTSD to result in the use of or dependence on drugs and alcohol to cope with intense feelings of anxiety and depression. Addiction has its own negative long-term health outcomes and can lead to occupational, legal, physical, and relationship problems" (Indiana University Health). Due to the intense side effects of PTSD such as intrusive memories, anxiety and insomnia victims will often turn to or depend on drugs and alcohol to avoid traumatic thoughts and numb emotional pain. However, reliance on drugs and alcohol to cope with symptoms can lead to long term addiction not solving problems and continuing long term issues. Another harmful side effect of PTSD is the enhanced emotional state their brain is constantly in. When an individual is suffering from PTSD, they are constantly in a state of high alert or in fight-or-flight mode. Someone experiencing PTSD is constantly experiencing this stressed state, adrenaline is released, and the person is actively scanning for threats in their environment. This is known as hypervigilance, trauma has rewired their brain to be constantly alert. This increased alertness is "mediated by activation of threat-detection neural circuitry centered around the amygdala, whereas its physiological component (i.e., elevated arousal) is mediated by activation of the neuroendocrine stress systems"(National Library of Medicine). Part of your brain's temporal lobe called your Amygdala is responsible for processing emotions such as fear and triggering the fight or flight response. The Amygdala is part of your cognitive alertness and will detect potential threats. The neuroendocrine system is a system of cells in the body that work to translate nerve signals into hormone releases, helping to regulate heart rate, metabolism and stress responses. It triggers rapid heart rate by releasing the epinephrine and norepinephrine hormones.
PTSD affects the person with the disorder as well as the people around that person. Symptoms of the disorder affect families and loved ones; relationships become strained due to a lack of communication. People in the family often have to take on additional roles due to this new disability. This is because symptoms of PTSD, "make it difficult to trust others, and survivors may feel numb and distant from other people" (Indiana University Health). This frequently affects social activities, causing social withdrawal and often the pushing away of loved ones. Loved ones of the person experiencing PTSD may be upset that they cannot resolve the victim's trauma. They often may be upset with the irritability and social withdrawal the person with PTSD exhibits. Going along with negative relationship effects, people with PTSD can also have trouble keeping employment because of their relationship with their employer. The effects of PTSD can make it difficult to concentrate on a job along with the added side effects of irritability, anxiety, and depression. Effects of PTSD may also be passed on to children due to the effects it has on parenting. It is important that parents who have experienced PTSD seek help because "symptoms in parents appear to be linked to lower positive engagement with their children" (Indiana University Health). Parents experiencing PTSD can pass on negative effects of their trauma onto their offspring, this can lead to behavioral issues in the child. For example, the emotional numbness of the parent could lead to detachment issues, leading children to look after themselves causing anxiety and other side effects.
Barriers to Treatment
There are reasons why many people continue to suffer from the harmful and debilitating side effects of PTSD. Even though there are many cases of persistent PTSD in the world, " Only half of those with severe PTSD report receiving any treatment and only a minority receive specialty mental health care"(National Library of Medicine). This is because there are barriers to receiving effective treatment that many people in the world face. The barriers include cost, lack of awareness from trained professionals, denial from the patient and stigma surrounding the disorder. "Barriers to care include lack of awareness that PTSD can be treated, lack of availability of mental health services, social stigma, and lack of trained mental health care providers" (World Health Organization). A common barrier is cost. Treating the effects of PTSD in the US is not inexpensive, averaging twelve thousand dollars per person, per year. For civilians who do not have access to VA healthcare or benefits, the cost is likely to exceed that price. Another common barrier is lack of awareness that trained professionals can provide. "Qualified medical doctors or psychologists with training in trauma-focused treatments are needed to provide these treatments. Poor health care infrastructure, and the lack of training institutions, may be a significant barrier to providing trauma-informed evidence-based treatments in many countries"(Kazlauskas). If people lack sufficient places that can provide the quality of care that they need by trained professionals they will not be able to receive quality care to better their condition and improve side effects. Another common barrier is imposed by the patient themselves. Denial from the patient that the trauma has occurred is a barrier that the patient creates from receiving treatment. This includes the patient not addressing unresolved trauma that has occurred to them. One of the most common PTSD symptoms is avoidance, this could be from social situations, people or even treatment. PTSD survivors often avoid disclosing information or bringing up their trauma as it can be painful and cause them to re-live that situation. This behavior often results in, "avoidance of health care services, even in contexts where evidence-based treatments are available"(Kazlauskas). This avoidance of healthcare services can negatively impact the patient's ability to receive treatment by professionals and lead to worsening symptoms if not treated. Another common barrier for PTSD survivors to seek care is the stigma surrounding the disorder. While PTSD is a very treatable disorder people often do not seek help because of fear of being judged on what trauma occurred to them or not believing that their trauma is severe enough for them to receive treatment. It was found that "Negative attitudes towards trauma survivors in a society result in avoidant help-seeking behaviors"(Kazlauskas). Due to attitudes of others and fear of judgement from seeking treatment people experiencing PTSD are less likely to seek help to better their symptoms.
Quick Fix Solution and Long-term solution
There are effective and emerging treatments for PTSD including short term fixes and long term solutions. Despite the various barriers to seeking treatment, there are many effective and emerging treatments for PTSD symptoms. Patients can take medications like sertraline and paroxetine that help manage symptoms, undergo psychotherapy or talk to a therapist, Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, prolonged exposure to the fear, as well as a psychiatric drug called Ibogaine that promotes brain repair and the processing of traumatic experiences. A common solution to alleviating the symptoms of PTSD is taking medications such as antidepressants and anti-anxiety medicine to alleviate the effects of PTSD symptoms. There are also medicines like the Stellate ganglion block, which involves "injecting medicine into a collection of nerves on the side of the neck" (Mayo Clinic). Stellate ganglion block works to reset the chronic nervous system, turning off the "fight or flight response". This medication can provide fast-acting relief in up to thirty minutes to a few days, relieving symptoms such as anxiety, hypervigilance, insomnia and panic attacks. Prazosin is another medicine that is usually used to treat high blood pressure, and "Several studies indicate that it may reduce or suppress nightmares in some people with PTSD" (Mayo Clinic). In a study conducted by researchers Henrique Soares Paiva, Idiberto José Zotarelli Filho, and Carlos Filinto da Silva Cais, found Prazosin was an effective drug to treat common PTSD symptoms such as nightmares, sleep quality and night walking. Prazosin is an alpha-1 adrenergic antagonist that blocks a stress hormone called norepinephrine. While drugs like Stellate ganglion block and Prazosin work to temporarily relieve symptoms of PTSD they do not effectively treat the disorder or help to diminish it in the long term.
There are many therapies for patients with PTSD that help the patient work towards curing their condition in the long term. Psychotherapy is an effective treatment for PTSD. There are two types of psychotherapy, Exposure therapy and cognitive therapy. Exposure therapy helps "you safely face situations and memories that you find frightening so that you can learn to cope with them" (The Mayo Clinic). This can be particularly helpful for nightmares and flashbacks. While the other type of psychotherapy, Cognitive therapy, "helps you see the ways of thinking, also known as cognitive patterns, that are keeping you stuck" (Mayo Clinic). This can help patients identify and acknowledge their negative thinking habits and learn methods to cope with them. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, or EMDR, is another kind of treatment for PTSD that helps the patient process trauma. During EMDR treatment, "you will pay attention to a back-and-forth movement or sound while you call to mind the upsetting memory and any thoughts or physical feelings that come with it. The back-and-forth movement helps you to stay in the present while allowing the brain to process information from the past and bring in new ways of feeling about the event" (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs). Practicing this exercise will help your brain see the trauma as a memory, rather than something that is currently occurring, and it becomes less stressful. Another new and emerging treatment for PTSD is a psychiatric drug called Ibogaine. Ibogaine is a "naturally occurring compound found in the roots of the African shrub iboga, and it has been used for centuries in spiritual and healing ceremonies" (Stanford Medicine). Ibogaine has recently been found to help treat opioid and cocaine addictions. It is suggested that "it increases signaling of several important molecules within the brain, some of which have been linked to drug addiction and depression" (Stanford Medicine). A study was done by Nolan Williams, an associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, on thirty veterans who have experienced PTSD. Treating the veterans with the Ibogaine drug, "led to significant improvements in functioning, PTSD, depression, and anxiety. Moreover, those effects persisted until at least one month after treatment - the endpoint of the study" (Stanford Medicine). This drug led to ongoing improved functions in patients with PTSD for an extended period of time.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a very prevalent and widespread issue in our society today, there are new methods of therapy and drugs to help treat it. Side effects of PTSD can often include anxiety, irritability, depression, and social withdrawal that can affect relationships and the ability to maintain employment. The effects of PTSD can also be passed down generations if trauma is left unresolved, negatively affecting the children of people with PTSD. The high price of therapies and negative stigma around PTSD increase the prevalence of the issue because people do not often seek treatment due to those factors. Although there are many barriers to treating PTSD like cost, stigma and limited access to care there are still effective therapies and medications that are used to better the outcomes for those experiencing the disorder. There are effective medications and therapies to treat the symptoms of PTSD, as well as new drugs that are being experimented with, to treat the issue. Both short term fixes to alleviate symptoms and long term solutions including treatments such as psychotherapy and other emerging treatments make it possible for a recovery. In order for people experiencing PTSD to live a fulfilling life and gain the help and support they need to heal, awareness of the disorder needs to be increased, stigma around the disorder needs to be decreased and access to proper care needs to be expanded. While PTSD is still an issue many people in the world struggle with, it can be combated by the push of people with symptoms to attend therapy and find medications to manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.
PTSD in Modern Society: Barriers and effective treatment
About 6 out of every 100 people in the U.S. will develop PTSD at some time, according to The Department of Veterans Affairs. Post-traumatic stress disorder is a very prevalent and widespread issue in our society today, and there are new methods of therapy and drugs to help treat it. Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, affects many people who have experienced trauma in their lives. There are many serious side effects of PTSD that can often be debilitating to those who are experiencing the disorder. There are also barriers to treating the side effects of PTSD, as there is often stigma around the disorder, as well as high prices for treatments that many people can not afford. While the effects of PTSD can often be serious and debilitating, there are effective treatments to help alleviate symptoms. Post-Traumatic Stress disorder is a widespread and debilitating issue that affects people, but despite the barriers to care there are effective and emerging therapies and treatments for the disorder to help better symptoms. This essay will explore the prevalence of the issue, the extent and side effects of the disorder, and propose both short-term and long term fixes to truly help victims of PTSD.
History of the Problem
Post-traumatic stress disorder is a condition that is a result of experiencing trauma. Trauma is common globally. A report based on the World Mental Health surveys found that, "70% of the populations in the countries studied reported exposure to a traumatic event"(National Library of Medicine). Trauma is common throughout the world due to unavoidable life events such as accidents, sudden losses, interpersonal violence and natural disasters. While many individuals that experience trauma respond with resilience, many who do not go on to develop PTSD. There are a few reasons why a person may go on to develop PTSD. First, there is a lack of social support from loved ones after the traumatic event. Strong support can foster resilience helping the victim overcome the issue. Second, the person has had previous trauma or mental health conditions. A history of previous trauma or trauma in childhood as well as preexisting conditions such as anxiety or depression can make the person more susceptible and likely to develop PTSD from experienced trauma. Third, there are biological and genetic factors that determine whether people's experienced trauma will develop into PTSD. According to the University of California San Diego Health, Genetics account for 5-20% of the variance in PTSD risk. Abnormal levels of the chemicals cortisol and serotonin in a person's brain can influence how they respond. There are also structural brain differences such as overactive fear circuitry and a smaller hippocampus that affect how people will respond. Fourth, the persons' perspective during the event can increase the likelihood of developing PTSD. If the person feels helpless, extremely scared or out of control during the event this can increase the risk of developing the disorder. The fifth and final reason that determines whether a person's experienced trauma will develop into PTSD is the person's neuroplasticity at the time of the event and brain function. If that part of the person's brain that is responsible for rational thought called the prefrontal cortex is shrunk or has become less active it is harder for the brain to process that a traumatic event has occurred, which leads to a loop of reliving trauma.
Extent of the problem
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a prevalent and widespread issue. PTSD is a widespread issue, and a statistic states, "About one half of all U.S. adults will experience at least one traumatic event in their lives, but most do not develop PTSD" (National Institute of Mental Health). PTSD is so prevalent that the need for treatment for individuals with PTSD is constantly expanding as half of people experience a traumatic event in their lifetime that could potentially develop into PTSD. Veterans are one of the most well known for developing PTSD because of their constant and prolonged exposure to stress, and life-threatening combat situations, witnessing stress and assault. Seven percent of Veterans will experience PTSD in their lifetime. Non-veterans or civilians also suffer trauma and can experience Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. About 6 out of every 100 people in the U.S. will develop PTSD at some time, according to the department of veterans affairs.
Repercussions of the problem
The repercussions of PTSD include leaving the symptoms untreated which can lead to further harmful and even debilitating side effects. PTSD can be debilitating, affecting the victims mental health, family and relationships. PTSD not only has very intense side effects, its symptoms also affect families, relationships and workplaces. The effects of PTSD can last for years if it goes untreated, causing side effects such as nightmares, flashbacks, severe anxiety, and emotional numbness. It is even common for "Untreated PTSD to result in the use of or dependence on drugs and alcohol to cope with intense feelings of anxiety and depression. Addiction has its own negative long-term health outcomes and can lead to occupational, legal, physical, and relationship problems" (Indiana University Health). Due to the intense side effects of PTSD such as intrusive memories, anxiety and insomnia victims will often turn to or depend on drugs and alcohol to avoid traumatic thoughts and numb emotional pain. However, reliance on drugs and alcohol to cope with symptoms can lead to long term addiction not solving problems and continuing long term issues. Another harmful side effect of PTSD is the enhanced emotional state their brain is constantly in. When an individual is suffering from PTSD, they are constantly in a state of high alert or in fight-or-flight mode. Someone experiencing PTSD is constantly experiencing this stressed state, adrenaline is released, and the person is actively scanning for threats in their environment. This is known as hypervigilance, trauma has rewired their brain to be constantly alert. This increased alertness is "mediated by activation of threat-detection neural circuitry centered around the amygdala, whereas its physiological component (i.e., elevated arousal) is mediated by activation of the neuroendocrine stress systems"(National Library of Medicine). Part of your brain's temporal lobe called your Amygdala is responsible for processing emotions such as fear and triggering the fight or flight response. The Amygdala is part of your cognitive alertness and will detect potential threats. The neuroendocrine system is a system of cells in the body that work to translate nerve signals into hormone releases, helping to regulate heart rate, metabolism and stress responses. It triggers rapid heart rate by releasing the epinephrine and norepinephrine hormones.
PTSD affects the person with the disorder as well as the people around that person. Symptoms of the disorder affect families and loved ones; relationships become strained due to a lack of communication. People in the family often have to take on additional roles due to this new disability. This is because symptoms of PTSD, "make it difficult to trust others, and survivors may feel numb and distant from other people" (Indiana University Health). This frequently affects social activities, causing social withdrawal and often the pushing away of loved ones. Loved ones of the person experiencing PTSD may be upset that they cannot resolve the victim's trauma. They often may be upset with the irritability and social withdrawal the person with PTSD exhibits. Going along with negative relationship effects, people with PTSD can also have trouble keeping employment because of their relationship with their employer. The effects of PTSD can make it difficult to concentrate on a job along with the added side effects of irritability, anxiety, and depression. Effects of PTSD may also be passed on to children due to the effects it has on parenting. It is important that parents who have experienced PTSD seek help because "symptoms in parents appear to be linked to lower positive engagement with their children" (Indiana University Health). Parents experiencing PTSD can pass on negative effects of their trauma onto their offspring, this can lead to behavioral issues in the child. For example, the emotional numbness of the parent could lead to detachment issues, leading children to look after themselves causing anxiety and other side effects.
Barriers to Treatment
There are reasons why many people continue to suffer from the harmful and debilitating side effects of PTSD. Even though there are many cases of persistent PTSD in the world, " Only half of those with severe PTSD report receiving any treatment and only a minority receive specialty mental health care"(National Library of Medicine). This is because there are barriers to receiving effective treatment that many people in the world face. The barriers include cost, lack of awareness from trained professionals, denial from the patient and stigma surrounding the disorder. "Barriers to care include lack of awareness that PTSD can be treated, lack of availability of mental health services, social stigma, and lack of trained mental health care providers" (World Health Organization). A common barrier is cost. Treating the effects of PTSD in the US is not inexpensive, averaging twelve thousand dollars per person, per year. For civilians who do not have access to VA healthcare or benefits, the cost is likely to exceed that price. Another common barrier is lack of awareness that trained professionals can provide. "Qualified medical doctors or psychologists with training in trauma-focused treatments are needed to provide these treatments. Poor health care infrastructure, and the lack of training institutions, may be a significant barrier to providing trauma-informed evidence-based treatments in many countries"(Kazlauskas). If people lack sufficient places that can provide the quality of care that they need by trained professionals they will not be able to receive quality care to better their condition and improve side effects. Another common barrier is imposed by the patient themselves. Denial from the patient that the trauma has occurred is a barrier that the patient creates from receiving treatment. This includes the patient not addressing unresolved trauma that has occurred to them. One of the most common PTSD symptoms is avoidance, this could be from social situations, people or even treatment. PTSD survivors often avoid disclosing information or bringing up their trauma as it can be painful and cause them to re-live that situation. This behavior often results in, "avoidance of health care services, even in contexts where evidence-based treatments are available"(Kazlauskas). This avoidance of healthcare services can negatively impact the patient's ability to receive treatment by professionals and lead to worsening symptoms if not treated. Another common barrier for PTSD survivors to seek care is the stigma surrounding the disorder. While PTSD is a very treatable disorder people often do not seek help because of fear of being judged on what trauma occurred to them or not believing that their trauma is severe enough for them to receive treatment. It was found that "Negative attitudes towards trauma survivors in a society result in avoidant help-seeking behaviors"(Kazlauskas). Due to attitudes of others and fear of judgement from seeking treatment people experiencing PTSD are less likely to seek help to better their symptoms.
Quick Fix Solution and Long-term solution
There are effective and emerging treatments for PTSD including short term fixes and long term solutions. Despite the various barriers to seeking treatment, there are many effective and emerging treatments for PTSD symptoms. Patients can take medications like sertraline and paroxetine that help manage symptoms, undergo psychotherapy or talk to a therapist, Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, prolonged exposure to the fear, as well as a psychiatric drug called Ibogaine that promotes brain repair and the processing of traumatic experiences. A common solution to alleviating the symptoms of PTSD is taking medications such as antidepressants and anti-anxiety medicine to alleviate the effects of PTSD symptoms. There are also medicines like the Stellate ganglion block, which involves "injecting medicine into a collection of nerves on the side of the neck" (Mayo Clinic). Stellate ganglion block works to reset the chronic nervous system, turning off the "fight or flight response". This medication can provide fast-acting relief in up to thirty minutes to a few days, relieving symptoms such as anxiety, hypervigilance, insomnia and panic attacks. Prazosin is another medicine that is usually used to treat high blood pressure, and "Several studies indicate that it may reduce or suppress nightmares in some people with PTSD" (Mayo Clinic). In a study conducted by researchers Henrique Soares Paiva, Idiberto José Zotarelli Filho, and Carlos Filinto da Silva Cais, found Prazosin was an effective drug to treat common PTSD symptoms such as nightmares, sleep quality and night walking. Prazosin is an alpha-1 adrenergic antagonist that blocks a stress hormone called norepinephrine. While drugs like Stellate ganglion block and Prazosin work to temporarily relieve symptoms of PTSD they do not effectively treat the disorder or help to diminish it in the long term.
There are many therapies for patients with PTSD that help the patient work towards curing their condition in the long term. Psychotherapy is an effective treatment for PTSD. There are two types of psychotherapy, Exposure therapy and cognitive therapy. Exposure therapy helps "you safely face situations and memories that you find frightening so that you can learn to cope with them" (The Mayo Clinic). This can be particularly helpful for nightmares and flashbacks. While the other type of psychotherapy, Cognitive therapy, "helps you see the ways of thinking, also known as cognitive patterns, that are keeping you stuck" (Mayo Clinic). This can help patients identify and acknowledge their negative thinking habits and learn methods to cope with them. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, or EMDR, is another kind of treatment for PTSD that helps the patient process trauma. During EMDR treatment, "you will pay attention to a back-and-forth movement or sound while you call to mind the upsetting memory and any thoughts or physical feelings that come with it. The back-and-forth movement helps you to stay in the present while allowing the brain to process information from the past and bring in new ways of feeling about the event" (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs). Practicing this exercise will help your brain see the trauma as a memory, rather than something that is currently occurring, and it becomes less stressful. Another new and emerging treatment for PTSD is a psychiatric drug called Ibogaine. Ibogaine is a "naturally occurring compound found in the roots of the African shrub iboga, and it has been used for centuries in spiritual and healing ceremonies" (Stanford Medicine). Ibogaine has recently been found to help treat opioid and cocaine addictions. It is suggested that "it increases signaling of several important molecules within the brain, some of which have been linked to drug addiction and depression" (Stanford Medicine). A study was done by Nolan Williams, an associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, on thirty veterans who have experienced PTSD. Treating the veterans with the Ibogaine drug, "led to significant improvements in functioning, PTSD, depression, and anxiety. Moreover, those effects persisted until at least one month after treatment - the endpoint of the study" (Stanford Medicine). This drug led to ongoing improved functions in patients with PTSD for an extended period of time.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a very prevalent and widespread issue in our society today, there are new methods of therapy and drugs to help treat it. Side effects of PTSD can often include anxiety, irritability, depression, and social withdrawal that can affect relationships and the ability to maintain employment. The effects of PTSD can also be passed down generations if trauma is left unresolved, negatively affecting the children of people with PTSD. The high price of therapies and negative stigma around PTSD increase the prevalence of the issue because people do not often seek treatment due to those factors. Although there are many barriers to treating PTSD like cost, stigma and limited access to care there are still effective therapies and medications that are used to better the outcomes for those experiencing the disorder. There are effective medications and therapies to treat the symptoms of PTSD, as well as new drugs that are being experimented with, to treat the issue. Both short term fixes to alleviate symptoms and long term solutions including treatments such as psychotherapy and other emerging treatments make it possible for a recovery. In order for people experiencing PTSD to live a fulfilling life and gain the help and support they need to heal, awareness of the disorder needs to be increased, stigma around the disorder needs to be decreased and access to proper care needs to be expanded. While PTSD is still an issue many people in the world struggle with, it can be combated by the push of people with symptoms to attend therapy and find medications to manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.
