Have you ever heard of post-traumatic syndrome? A psychological condition of very intense distress that can have serious consequences if not properly treated. Is it purely a psychological condition, or can it also manifest with specific physical symptoms? How does the individual suffering from it behave? What are the signals we need to interpret to understand their distress and be able to help them?
We are talking about a type of mental problem that develops in a specific individual or in multiple individuals perhaps united by the same traumatic event. There is no specific age at which the syndrome appears; it can affect not only the person directly involved in the traumatic event but also family members, first responders, and anyone who actively participated following the occurrence of a highly traumatic event.
Definition of traumatic event
What exactly do we mean by a traumatic event? Is it limited to specific circumstances like a war, or can it refer to other types of situations as well? Let us look together at a series of events that, due to their severity and exceptional nature, leave an indelible mark on the psyche of those involved, strongly affecting how they live their lives afterward:
- The archetypal traumatic event can be the outbreak of a war
- A terrorist attack culminating in a bomb explosion
- An airplane crash involving hundreds of passengers
- A barbaric and cruel practice such as mass genocide
- A natural event with major consequences like a flood
- An earthquake striking a specific region of the world
What unites all these events is their profound impact on the psyche of those affected. They can manifest in anyone involved, of any age. Often, the term “traumatic event” is also applied to repeated episodes of violence, especially in regions with high levels of social unrest.
History of the traumatic event
The study of this syndrome began in the United States, initially observed in Vietnam War veterans—soldiers returning home with physical injuries caused by landmine explosions, or displaying this type of distress following their traumatic experiences. Since Vietnam, the syndrome has been recognized as a specific pathology in all subsequent conflicts.
What is it?
If we were to diagnose a form of post-traumatic syndrome, how should we consider it? First, it must be said that this is a very complex mental distress condition that can arise from a variety of personal and environmental factors. It is not easy to diagnose, yet we could also describe it as a form of very intense stress resulting from a deeply traumatic experience.
However, it is also important to note that people are not all the same and react differently to events. Numerous studies have shown that especially in children and adolescents, prolonged exposure to continuous television coverage of a very serious event involving their country can lead over time to the onset of this syndrome.
Syndrome and hormones
What happens in the brain of people who develop post-traumatic syndrome? Research and studies over the years have shown that those suffering from this syndrome produce abnormal levels of stress-related hormones when exposed to fear-inducing situations. To identify the brain area responsible for this excessive response, we must mention the amygdala, a gland located at the base of the brain.
Under normal conditions, when we experience a high-impact emotional situation that triggers fear, the amygdala produces substances that moderate these intense feelings. In individuals with post-traumatic syndrome, this production does not stop when the traumatic event ends, but continues, directly affecting the individual’s emotional state.
In addition to this condition, those affected may experience altered cerebral blood flow and even risk tissue changes in specific brain regions.
Is diagnosis straightforward?
Once certain behavioral anomalies—such as anxiety or unusual reactions—are observed in an individual, is diagnosing the syndrome simple? Actually no. However, there are specific behaviors that can help identify someone suffering from this syndrome, such as:
- Severe difficulty controlling their emotions
- Easily irritability
- Episodes of sudden anger or confusion in their emotional sphere
- Tendency toward depressive symptoms
- Feelings of guilt for surviving when others did not
- Avoidance of any reminders of the traumatic event
Physical symptoms
Those affected may also display physical symptoms linked to the syndrome, such as:
- Chest pain
- Gastrointestinal problems
- Chronic headaches
Identification parameters
Are there more specific criteria to identify the syndrome? Yes, first of all, the timing. Episodes of stress typically manifest three months after the traumatic event. Beyond timing, additional indicators include:
- Sudden intrusive memories of the event with intense emotions
- Avoidance of any contact or reminders related to the traumatic memory
- A constant sense of danger, sudden anger outbursts, concentration difficulties, and memory issues
Therapies
What therapies are available for post-traumatic syndrome? Treatment can follow two distinct approaches: pharmacological and psychotherapeutic. Both have produced positive results by targeting the specific symptoms presented. One crucial aspect is the individual’s level of awareness and the support provided by those around them.