Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

The situations in Myanmar are more intense and worse day after day. Political crisis and the pandemic crisis strikes the economy and all the sectors including the health system of Myanmar. People have to flee from villages and live in refugee camps. People have to watch someone they love die. The People of Myanmar are facing the hardest situation of all time. After experiencing this situation, some people express behavioural changes like aggressiveness, avoidance and so on.


So why does this happen? Is that a medical related disease? If so, is that disease treatable?


Today in this article, I will discuss a mental disease that can develop after experiencing traumatic situations.


So please read till the end of the article.


History of the term “PTSD”


During World War I and II, most of the soldiers who took part in the battlefield suffered a strange disease that caused loss of control of mind. That disease was called “combat fatigue” since it seemed to occur soldiers who came back from combat. But after finding out that disease could occur not only in soldiers but also in people who experience terrific situations in the past, the name of the disease is changed to “Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).


Who can suffer PTSD and why?


-Anyone can develop PTSD at any age. Research indicates that women are twice as likely to develop PTSD.


Types of events that can lead to PTSD include

– Abuses ( including childhood & domestic abuses )

– Sexual assault

– Physical assault

– Being threatened by an armed person

– Accidents

– Natural disasters such as Floods, storms , earthquakes

– Who experienced robbery

– Being kidnapped

– Death threat

– Losing beloved ones

– Experienced or witnessed pandemic & wars which caused innumerable deaths etc.


Is PTSD a disease?


Yes, PTSD is a disease.

In general, the symptoms that patients with PTSD suffer can be differentiated into 4 types.


1.Repeating annoying thoughts that cannot be forgotten easily.

2.Avoidance of everything about traumatic situations, places and people

3.Thinking disorders and negative thinking

4.Changing in physical and mental behaviours


In a person with PTSD, there may have

Social problems

Lack of hope and trust on people

Lack of feelings and emotions .

How do I recognize someone with PTSD?


They have trouble forgetting past, painful memories. They want to run away from any

Situation or stimuli that recall these memories. At times ,they become aggressive especially if they are forced to stay rather than walk away.


They are overwhelmed with the thoughts and ideas that bring back the memories of pain .One could evolve into an insecured, pessimistic, hostile individual like they have never been before.


They may become social outcasts ;may be no more participate in the social activities and meet new people because they really don’t want to answer a thing that is related to past traumatic events. A lot of personality and habitual changes are common in these individuals.


PTSD in me or in a close one??


Well , that can happen to anyone .As a matter of fact, PTSD is a treatable disease.

You should see the doctor without holding back. You should encourage someone with PTSD in the healing process but never stress them out.