Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Causes and Symptoms in Veterans and Children

 

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Causes and Symptoms in Veterans and Children

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Post-traumatic stress disorder, commonly known as PTSD, is a mental illness that is not gender or age-biased. An adult or a child can be diagnosed with this mental health condition. This disorder is diagnosed in those who have witnessed some terrific or life-threatening events like military veterans and sexually abused children.

According to the National Center for PTSD, studies show that about 15% to 43% of girls and 14% to 43% of boys go through at least one trauma. Out of these children and teens who have had a trauma, 3% to 15% of girls and 1% to 6% of boys develop PTSD.

Also, according to the National Center of PTSD, about 11-20 out of every 100 veterans who served in OIF or OEF have PTSD in a given year; about 12 out of every 100 Gulf war veterans have PTSD in a given year.

PTSD is a mental illness that should not be overlooked. Knowing the causes and symptoms in veterans, children, and other people will help us relate with them better and know how to help them.

Causes of PTSD

1. War

2. Neglect

3. Sexual Abuse

4. Physical Abuse

5. Natural Disasters

6. Domestic Violence

7. Car or Fire Accident

8. Psychological Abuse

9. Witnessing the Loss of a Loved One

 

Symptoms of PTSD

1. Lack of Sleep

2. Hypervigilance

3. Self-Destruction

4. Severe Nightmares

5. Aggressive Behavior

6. Lack of Trust in Others

7. Difficulty in Concentrating

8. Inability to Express Affection

9. Panic Attacks when Reminded of the Trauma

10. Inability to Remember Details of what Happened

11. Physical Sensations Such as Pain, Sweating, Nausea, or Trembling

12. Vivid Flashbacks: Re-Living the Events as If It is Happening Right Now

 

Keep in mind that if you have PTSD or a loved one has it, it is not a sign of weakness. It is a sign of strength. You survived the incident, and since you survived, you can overcome the trauma that came as a result of the incident.

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Overcoming the Stigma of Mental Health Disorder

 

Overcoming the Stigma of Mental Health Disorder

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Mental illness has always been a stigmatized issue around the globe. From being thought of as a moral punishment or an affliction from the devil, the ideologies surrounding mental illness have ranged wide. Most people with mental health disorders have been called names and their symptoms has been referred to as something they can control if only, they tried hard. The stigma around mental health rises out of fear and lack of understanding.

It causes patients to feel ashamed for something that is not in their control. Worst of all, stigma prevents people from seeking help. However, it is more damaging when you internalize that stigma and start believing those negative stereotypes people ascribe to you.

 

Tips to Combat Stigma

1. You Are Not Alone

If you have a mental condition, remember that you are not alone, and many people experience mental illness. One in four U.S adults has a mental illness of some kind.

2. Get Treatment

You may be reluctant to admit you should get treated. Don’t allow the fear of stigma to prevent you from seeking help. Treatment provides relief and gives you overall wellness.

3. Find Support

Whatever you do, try to find support.  Stay connected to others; it could be your friends, family, or clergy. Seek support from organizations that provide educational and supportive resources for those who are affected by mental illness.

4. Speak Out

Start educating those around you about the realities of mental illness, including how rampant it is. Consider expressing yourself at events, letters, or on the internet. It will help instill courage in others facing similar challenges.

People’s judgment mostly stems from a lack of understanding. Learning to accept your condition while seeking support and treatment makes all the difference.

 

 

 

GinMan Consulting is here to help you

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What You Should Know About Mental Illness Types and Symptoms

 

What You Should Know About Mental Illness Types and Symptoms

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Mental illness is a condition that has a negative effect on the way an individual thinks, feels, and behaves. Just like physical illness is used to describe different physical health problems, mental illness encompasses a wide range of mental health conditions. Mental illness is very common in the United States, and each year, one in five adults experience mental illness, and one in six American teenagers experience a mental illness.

 

Types of Mental Health Disorders

1. Anxiety Disorders

2. Bipolar and Related Disorders

3. Depressive Disorders

4. Disruptive, Impulse-Control, and Conduct Disorders

5. Dissociative Disorders

6. Elimination Disorders

7. Feeding and Eating Disorders

8. Neurocognitive Disorders

9. Neurodevelopmental Disorders

10. Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders

11. Personality Disorders

12. Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders etc.

 

Signs and Symptoms

We all experience peaks and valleys in our mental health. A bad experience such as the loss of a loved one might affect your psychological well-being. Each illness has its set of symptoms, but common signs of mental illness in children, teenagers, and adults can include:

#1 Uneasiness and Excessive Fear: Feeling scared, nervous, or panicked.

#2 Mood Swings: Indifference to situations, difficulty in expressing joy, deep sadness, hopelessness, or suicidal thoughts

#3 Sleep or Appetite Changes: Sleeping more or less and eating more or less than usual.  Noticeable weight loss and rapid weight gain.

#4 Difficulty in Thinking: It also includes the inability to process thoughts and concentrate on daily activities.

However, these symptoms don’t define you. Living with mental illness, whether it concerns you or a loved one, can be difficult. Help is available for you. You should know that you are not alone and getting treatment is key to relief from these symptoms and maintaining a healthy and beautiful life.

 

 

GinMan Consulting is here to help you

develop yourself and all that you deserve.

 

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Common Triggers of Alcohol and Drug Use

 

Common Triggers of Alcohol and Drug Use

 

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Quitting drinking and drug use can be a challenging and difficult process. You didn’t develop the problem overnight, so overcoming your addiction will not happen overnight either. It is not uncommon to suffer a relapse. However, understanding what might trigger your relapse is one of the first steps towards prevention.

 

Here are four triggers you should watch out for:

1.Stress

Stress is one of the major triggers of alcohol abuse and drug use. And people who struggle with addiction always feel an increasing need to use alcohol and drugs when stressed, especially if it was their primary coping mechanism. Although you can’t eliminate everything from your life, you should avoid situations that cause you extreme stress.

 

2.People or Places Connected to Your Behavior

People and places who are part of your addictive lifestyle are potential triggers for relapse. It is best to avoid your drinking buddies and those who remind you of your former lifestyle.

 

3.Negative Emotions

People who struggle with drug and alcohol abuse need to have effective ways of managing negative feelings. Drugs and alcohol are used to provide temporary relief from negative feelings in your life, but you can’t rely on them again. Learn how to deal with uncomfortable feelings and emotions.

 

4.Seeing the Object of Your Addiction

Reminders of your previous lifestyle can cause a relapse while recovering.  A whiff of cannabis, watching people drink at bars are triggers you might see everywhere. It is normal for you to feel like going back, but recovering is not just about abstaining; it is about building a new life that is easier, desirable, and free of addiction.

 

 

GinMan Consulting is here to help you

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Why You Should Stop Excessive Drinking

 

Why You Should Stop Excessive Drinking

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It is sometimes hard to know whether your habit of drinking or drug use is only casual and for recreation or whether it has become an addiction you can’t handle. What starts as weekend drinks with friends turns into a Monday to Thursday drinking, then every night, drinking at lunch, drinking alone, and on and on until one day you wake up, hungover, reaching for a cup of whiskey at 8 AM, and then it hits you: your life is no longer in your hands—it belongs to whiskey.

Many things could be causing your alcohol abuse. However, the consequences of alcohol addiction are grave and far-reaching. It is bad for your mental health, and it only offers temporary relief and won’t solve your problems. If you are still looking for why you need to stop drinking, here are more reasons to stop:

 

1.Health Problems

Alcohol abusers face a great risk of developing brain damage, heart diseases, liver diseases, stroke, type 2 diabetes, cancer, and high blood pressure. If you stop drinking, you will discover that your ability to process emotions and make decisions will improve.

 

2.Depressive Moods

Excessive use of drugs and alcohol causes negative and depressive moods in drinkers. Those who indulge are likely to engage in assaults and violence.

 

3.Financial Consequences

If you stop excessive drinking, not only will you save money on buying alcohol, you will also pay fewer fines and fees, zero accidents, and you will be more likely to keep your job.

 

There are more negative effects of alcohol abuse. However, every day is a good day to practice staying sober. Next time you want to grab that bottle of drink, remember:

“Alcohol won’t solve your problems; it only aggravates it.”

 

GinMan Consulting is here to help you

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Here’s Why You Have Been Feeling Excessively Sleepy

 

Here’s Why You Have Been Feeling Excessively Sleepy

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We’ve all seen situation comedies where a character just can’t seem to stay awake, and the condition is aimed at making people laugh. However, if you have been diagnosed with narcolepsy or your loved one has it, it’s not funny. Narcolepsy affects your quality of life, both during the day and at night.

It is a sleep disorder where you find it hard to control sleep cycles. Patients might feel excessively sleepy during the day, so much that they can fall asleep anytime and anywhere. Also, at night, people with narcolepsy sleep poorly and wake consistently. Undiagnosed narcolepsy can lead to depression.

 

Symptoms can include:

One. Excessive daytime sleepiness: This is the main symptom of narcolepsy. You may have pressing urges to sleep even after sleeping all night.

Two. Hallucinations: Some patients experience very real hallucinations. They can be disruptive, disturbing, and frightening.

Three. Memory Problems: Excessive daytime sleep can cause memory issues because you are hardly fully awake.

Four. Sleep paralysis: Sleep paralysis usually comes with hallucinations. Patients find it hard to move while falling asleep or waking up.

Five. Cataplexy: This is also known as the sudden loss of muscle tone. The muscles become weak or even paralyzed. It can occur due to extreme feelings of different emotions like anger or being surprised.

 

Seeking treatment is vital. However, some life changes can help you manage this condition well. These changes include taking frequent naps during the day, maintaining a consistent sleep pattern, and eating a balanced diet.

 

Excessive sleep does not mean you are lazy. Seek medical attention and take your medications regularly!

 

 

 

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Say Goodbye to Insomnia

 

Say Goodbye to Insomnia

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You are exhausted; you lie down in bed for just one thing: a night of quality sleep. But it doesn’t happen, and you lie awake. Hours pass, you toss and turn, and though you are tired, you still find it hard to sleep. Are you going through this? Do you often have trouble sleeping? Or you wake up at midnight with your mind racing. There are different causes of insomnia. Luckily, there are few tips out there that can improve your quality of sleep. Read on to discover some causes of insomnia and how you can deal with it.

 

One. Exposure to Bright Light

Do you lie in bed, stare at your phone while you try to catch up with friends on social media? Then you will probably have a problem sleeping after spending time looking at your phone. The reason? The light emitted by smartphones can cause sleep disorders. Reduce screen time and set a time when you’ll stop using these devices at night.

 Two. Caffeine

If you drink too much coffee during the day, chances are you will find it hard to sleep at night. For better sleep, it is best to avoid caffeine after 2 pm.

Three. A Heavy Meal Before Bed

We’ve all done this before: we eat a heavy meal before bed because it is irresistible. A heavy meal before bedtime makes it hard to fall asleep. Always try to choose lighter options in the evening.

 Four. Alcohol

How was your quality of sleep the last time you had plenty of drinks? Did you sleep soundly, or were you restless? Alcohol disrupts sleep. Experts advise you don’t drink alcohol 2-3 hours before sleep.

 

Sleep is vital. It is that golden chain that ties our health and body together.

 

 

 

GinMan Consulting is here to help you

develop yourself and all that you deserve.

 

Visit us at www.ginmanconsulting.com