Anxiety disorders are a common issue for people suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Those with PTSD expect the reoccurrence of events or similar circumstances that originally caused the injury. For those with chronic or chronic delayed PTSD, anxiety is a never-ending daily experience.
PTSD-related anxiety can manifest in simple daily activities. For example, combat veterans with PTSD may have a hard time stopping their vehicles to purchase gas. They may drive from one gas station to another, looking for the “right” location, or even run out of gas instead of stopping. They fear feeling vulnerable and being ambushed or attacked while caught out in the open at a gas station. The anxiety and stress associated with this simple exercise of daily life drain the sufferer of energy and may initiate intrusive thoughts and even flashbacks, increasing anxiety levels.
PTSD-related anxiety comes in other forms as well. Many PTSD sufferers have sleep deprivation problems due to a fear of falling asleep and being vulnerable to attack. Similarly, they fight sleep to avoid dreaming. Most combat veterans and accident victims have repeated nightmares that cause the sufferer to wake up in a sweat and be unable to return to sleep. Anxiety mounts as exhaustion nears, leading to intrusive episodes and even flashbacks to the original traumatic events. This cycle ends when the sufferer slips into an exhausted sleep. Many sufferers use self-medication to try to escape or control the nightmares and intrusive thoughts. The goal is to reduce the effects of anxiety and PTSD.
Self-medication for anxiety will lead to further problems. The most common form of self-medication is with alcohol, which in many cases temporarily reduces anxiety but allows the PTSD sufferer to act out on some of the intrusive thoughts and frustrations. The biggest downside of using alcohol to self-medicate is the resulting depression that follows. Self-medication with drugs and alcohol also limits the effectiveness of standard PTSD therapy. Health risks and the high risk of suicide are also major issues that result from self-medicating for anxiety.
PTSD-related anxiety is very treatable, although PTSD may not be curable. The goal of treatment is to prevent anxiety and PTSD symptoms from controlling the sufferer’s life. Unless the PTSD sufferer surrenders to a good treatment program, they will continue to suffer needlessly. The treatment regime involves using the latest drugs to control anxiety, increase rest, reduce nightmares and intrusive thoughts. A program of education and counseling follows once the patient responds to drug therapy. Trust is a major issue with many PTSD sufferers. Unless they feel safe and trust the people who are treating them, they will not surrender to the treatment process. Anxiety and PTSD issues will continue to dominate their lives.
In conclusion, PTSD-related anxiety is a significant issue that affects daily activities and causes a great deal of stress and exhaustion. Self-medicating for anxiety is not a viable solution and can lead to further problems, including depression, limited effectiveness of PTSD therapy, health risks, and high risk of suicide. Seeking a good treatment program is crucial to reducing the effects of anxiety and PTSD symptoms on sufferers’ lives. Treatment programs involve using the latest drugs, education, and counseling, and require trust between PTSD sufferers and the people treating them. By surrendering to the treatment program and trusting the process, PTSD-related anxiety can be treated and managed, alleviating stress and exhaustion and improving daily life.
Written by Jim Kesel