Bronchure-ptsd

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (Easy-to-Read) What is post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD? PTSD is a real illness. You can get PTSD after living through or seeing a dangerous event, such as war, a hurricane, or bad accident. PTSD makes you feel stressed and afraid after the danger is over. It affects your life and the people around you.

There are many other things that can cause PTSD.

How do I know if I have PTSD? Your doctor can help you find out. Call your doctor if you have any of these problems:

• • • •

Who gets PTSD?

• • • • • •

PTSD can happen to anyone at any age. Children get PTSD too. You don't have to be physically hurt to get PTSD. You can get it after you see other people, such as a friend or family member, get hurt.

What causes PTSD? Living through or seeing something that's upsetting and dangerous can cause PTSD. This can include:

• • • • • •

Being a victim of or seeing violence The death or serious illness of a loved one War or combat Car accidents and plane crashes Hurricanes, tornadoes, and fires Violent crimes, like a robbery or shooting.

Bad dreams Flashbacks, or feeling like the scary event is happening again Scary thoughts you can't control Staying away from places and things that remind you of what happened Feeling worried, guilty, or sad Feeling alone Having trouble sleeping Feeling on edge Frequent angry outbursts Thoughts of hurting yourself or others.

Children who have PTSD may show other types of problems. These can include:

• • • •

Behaving like they did when they were younger Being unable to talk Complaining of stomach problems or headaches a lot Refusing to go places or play with friends.

When does PTSD start?

PTSD starts at different times for different people. Signs of PTSD may start soon after a frightening event and then continue. Other people develop new or more severe signs months or even years later.

How can I get better? PTSD can be treated. A doctor or mental health professional that has experience in treating people with PTSD can help you. Treatment may include "talk" therapy, medication, or both. Treatment might take 6 to 12 weeks. For some people, it takes longer. Treatment is not the same for everyone. What works for you might not work for someone else. Drinking alcohol or using other drugs will NOT help PTSD go away and may even make it worse. All visitations, personal information and treatment remain strictly confidential.

Don't Hurt Yourself •

You a r e n ot a lo ne . Ge t he lp i f y ou are th in ki ng a bou t hu r tin g your sel f.

• •

Ca ll y ou r d oc to r. Ca ll 9 11 i f y ou ne ed h el p ri gh t aw ay.

•

Talk to a t r ain ed co un se lo r at th e Na ti on al Su ic id e Pre vent io n Li feli ne ,M in is tr y of

He al th ,D im en H ou se ,8 8 Toor ak S tree t, S uv a, F ij i Ph on e:

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder affects your mind and can be treated

33 06 17 7

Post-traumatic Stress can wear you down if left not treated.

Treatment simply involves talking to a professional counsellor who specializes in Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, and perhaps some medications. All visitations remain strictly confidential.

Successful treatment regiments vary for each patient suffering from PTSD. What may work for you may not work for someone else.

Self treatment and resorting to alcohol/drugs or simply ignoring the symptoms of PTSD will not help you heal from it.

Our services are freely available to assist you recover from PTSD. Please do contact us for assistance or for any queries. Our contact details are

within this brochure and at the back page. We will be glad to hear from you.

Call need

911

if

help

you right

aw ay.

Talk

to

counselor

a

tr ained

a t:

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Ministry of Health Dimen House 88 Toorak Street Suva, Fiji Phone: 3306177