Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

 Sudden events such as tremors during an earthquake, being trapped under a cave-in, injuries to family members or oneself, loss of one's relatives, loss of living space can lead to traumatic processes. One of the most common psychological conditions in response to such events is post-traumatic stress disorder.

In most people, trauma-related symptoms may appear hours or days later. In some individuals, they may appear even years later. If the symptoms of traumatic stress that occur after a traumatic event last for more than a month, it suggests that this condition may become chronic. Due to the nature of disasters such as earthquakes, if the destruction and devastation is high, it will take longer than a month to return to daily life after the disaster and the emergence of the former well-being. After the recent severe disasters, the risk increases when we consider that it will take a very long time to get back to the way it was, and that the time required for debris removal and reconstruction is months or even years. Reactions after a disaster may vary according to the size of the disaster and individuals. As the extent of the loss and trauma increases, it becomes more difficult for individuals to mentally process, analyze and make sense of the events.            

After disasters that cause serious trauma, people go through some psychological processes.

Shock Period: In this period, which may last for the first 24-48 hours, sudden physiological reactions, excessive sensitivity and feeling of restriction, inability to think logically and make decisions, forgetfulness and attention concentration problems, dullness and short-term shock may occur.
Reaction Period: It starts to appear between two and six days. Emotional turmoil: Anxiety, anger, irritability, blame, insecurity, fear of being alone. Physical reactions: Trembling, nausea, palpitations and restlessness may occur.
Mental Processing Period: It can last from the end of about a week to a month. Mourning for what has been lost begins. Strong emotions such as sadness and longing may be experienced intensely. Memory and focusing problems may occur. Anger and conflicts in interpersonal relationships can be intense.
Recovery Period: It usually starts within a month. Weeks have passed since the disaster and the period of adaptation to life begins. Emotional well-being is experienced and future plans are started to be made. The disaster becomes a part of the memories and does not occupy the mind as intensely as it did at first.
The expected recovery process will not be valid for everyone and many people will be unable to make sense of the process. In such cases, psychological support is absolutely necessary. The treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder is something that should be taken seriously for individual and social psychological well-being. The aim of the treatment process is to reduce the anxiety of the individual, to find the reasons for the recurrence of memories, to help the healthy processing of events and to prevent conditions that affect the quality of life such as insomnia.

Sudden events such as tremors during an earthquake, being trapped under a cave-in, injuries to family members or oneself, loss of one's relatives, loss of living space can lead to traumatic processes. One of the most common psychological conditions in response to such events is post-traumatic stress disorder.

In most people, trauma-related symptoms may appear hours or days later. In some individuals, they may appear even years later. If the symptoms of traumatic stress that occur after a traumatic event last for more than a month, it suggests that this condition may become chronic. Due to the nature of disasters such as earthquakes, if the destruction and devastation is high, it will take longer than a month to return to daily life after the disaster and the emergence of the former well-being. After the recent severe disasters, the risk increases when we consider that it will take a very long time to get back to the way it was, and that the time required for debris removal and reconstruction is months or even years. Reactions after a disaster may vary according to the size of the disaster and individuals. As the extent of the loss and trauma increases, it becomes more difficult for individuals to mentally process, analyze and make sense of the events.            

After disasters that cause serious trauma, people go through some psychological processes.

Shock Period: In this period, which may last for the first 24-48 hours, sudden physiological reactions, excessive sensitivity and feeling of restriction, inability to think logically and make decisions, forgetfulness and attention concentration problems, dullness and short-term shock may occur.
Reaction Period: It starts to appear between two and six days. Emotional turmoil: Anxiety, anger, irritability, blame, insecurity, fear of being alone. Physical reactions: Trembling, nausea, palpitations and restlessness may occur.
Mental Processing Period: It can last from the end of about a week to a month. Mourning for what has been lost begins. Strong emotions such as sadness and longing may be experienced intensely. Memory and focusing problems may occur. Anger and conflicts in interpersonal relationships can be intense.
Recovery Period: It usually starts within a month. Weeks have passed since the disaster and the period of adaptation to life begins. Emotional well-being is experienced and future plans are started to be made. The disaster becomes a part of the memories and does not occupy the mind as intensely as it did at first.
The expected recovery process will not be valid for everyone and many people will be unable to make sense of the process. In such cases, psychological support is absolutely necessary. The treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder is something that should be taken seriously for individual and social psychological well-being. The aim of the treatment process is to reduce the anxiety of the individual, to find the reasons for the recurrence of memories, to help the healthy processing of events and to prevent conditions that affect the quality of life such as insomnia.

Şükrü Cido MD.
Turkiye Hospital Pediatrics Departmant