Quiz: Are You Experiencing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?

People who have previously come face-to-face with a frightening or traumatising encounter are vulnerable to experiencing a mental health condition known as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).  

Most people are prone to dealing with several physical and mental reactions after a traumatising encounter. Still, these symptoms will go away naturally after some time. However, if a person continues to experience problems for more than a month, it could be point towards the onset of PTSD.

Get the Answer: Do You Have PTSD and How to Deal with The Condition Effectively?

Experiencing one or more symptoms of PTSD can impair your ability to have a normal life. At the same time, it can severely impact concentration levels and your ability to make well-thought-out decisions, both in your personal and work life. 

So, it is essential to get an early diagnosis. It can help you decide on the steps you need to take to do away with this debilitating condition. Let us discover the reality behind your answers together!

If Your Answers are Mostly A’s

You may be at risk of suffering from PTSD. Therefore, you should seek consultation with a doctor as soon as possible. Taking this step is particularly important, as it can help you and your doctor decide on suitable treatment options.

Here are a few short-term psychotherapies (also known as talk therapies) used to treat PTSD.

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)

This type of psychotherapy is focused on identifying, understanding, and changing thought and behavioural patterns. It is an active form of therapy and involves learning skills that can be practised frequently to alleviate the symptoms of PTSD.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

This psychotherapy focuses on processing a traumatising memory, thought or feeling, and requires a person to pay attention to a sound or back-and-forth movement as they relive their trauma.

Present Centred Therapy (PCT)

This psychotherapy takes the attention away from past trauma and focuses instead on teaching problem-solving strategies that help people with PTSD deal with current stressors. 

Adjunctive medications

If needed, a doctor may prescribe medications to complement the use of psychotherapy in treating PTSD. These include antidepressants to relieve depression and benzodiazepines to treat panic disorders due to PTSD.  

If you wish to consider traditional Chinese remedies to complement the use of medications, you can consume herbal soups and tonics, as these are effective for reducing stress by inducing a calming effect on the mind and body. However, if you are on medication, be sure to speak with your doctor before consuming soups or tonics with herbal ingredients to avoid possible interactions.

If Your Answers are Mostly B’s 

You might have encountered a bad experience in the past, but it is unlikely that you have PTSD. If you are concerned about the possibility of dealing with other mental health problems like anxiety or depression, you should see a doctor. 

In addition, you can also choose to make healthier lifestyle choices to lower your risk of developing these conditions. These include regular physical activity, healthy eating and getting restful sleep every night. Similarly, you can consume herbal formulations made of lily bulbs, sour dates, or red dates to calm your mind. 
 

Acknowledging your physical and mental struggles is the best way to start the process of treating PTSD. In doing so, you will determine what treatment options could potentially work and help improve your quality of life.

Share this quiz with family members or friends if you found it helpful in your battle against the condition!