Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

Post traumatic stress disorder is also called PTSD. This condition occurs after suffering or facing a traumatic (hurtful) event that brings you much pain or sorrow. The stressful event may make you think you will get hurt or die. You may continue to feel helpless after the event. You may re-live or re-experience the traumatic event long after it happened. You may also avoid things related to the event. Mood swings and over-reacting to situations are other symptoms of PTSD. These experiences often affect your daily activities, work, and relationships. Counseling and medicines are used to treat PTSD.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

Take your medicine as directed:

Call your primary healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not working as expected. Tell him if you are allergic to any medicine. Keep a current list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Include the amounts, and when, how, and why you take them. Take the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency. Throw away old medicine lists.

Ask for information about where and when to go for follow-up visits:

For continuing care, treatments, or home services, ask for more information.

Wellness tips:

• Eat a variety of healthy foods: This may help you have more energy and heal faster. Healthy foods include fruit, vegetables, whole-grain breads, low-fat dairy products, beans, lean meat, and fish. Ask if you need to be on a special diet.
  
  
• Drink liquids as directed: Adults should drink between 9 and 13 eight-ounce cups of liquid every day. Ask what amount is best for you. For most people, good liquids to drink are water, juice, and milk.
  
  
• Get plenty of exercise: Talk to your caregiver about the best exercise plan for you. Exercise can decrease your blood pressure and improve your health.
  
  
• Do not smoke: If you smoke, it is never too late to quit. You are more likely to have heart disease, lung disease, cancer, and other health problems if you smoke. Quitting smoking will improve your health and the health of those around you. If you smoke, ask for information about how to stop.
  
  
• Manage stress: Stress may slow healing and cause illness. Learn new ways to relax, such as deep breathing.

What can I do to feel better?

• Do not stop your medicine: Tell your caregivers if you have problems or questions about your medicines.
  
  
• Do not stop your therapies: It is normal to have doubts or feel discomfort with your therapy. Tell your caregivers if you are uncomfortable or have questions about your therapies.

For support and more information:

Having PTSD is a life-changing condition for you and your family. Accepting that you have PTSD may be hard. You and those close to you may feel angry, sad, or frightened. These feelings are normal. Talk to your caregiver, family, and friends about your feelings. You may also want to join a support group. This is a group of people who also have PTSD. Call or write any of the following organizations for more information about PTSD.

• National Center for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
  Phone: 1- 802 - 2966300
  Web Address: http://www.ncptsd.va.gov/
  

• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Public Information & Communication Branch
  6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 8184, MSC 9663
  Bethesda , MD 20892-9663
  Phone: 1- 301 - 443-4513
  Phone: 1- 866 - 615-6464
  Web Address: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/
  

• Victim Assistance Online
  Walker Plaza, P.O. Box 24077
  Windsor , Ontario N8Y-4Y9
  Web Address: http://www.vaonline.org
  

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You cannot make it to your next meeting with your caregiver.
  
  
• You cannot sleep or are sleeping too much.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your condition, medicine, and care.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• You think about hurting or killing yourself or someone else.
  
  

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Learn more about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (Discharge Care)