Throughout generations as human beings we have always been thought to take care of our physical health more compared to our mental health. Fast forward with many mental health issues on the rise it is without a doubt that this is a major issue which needs to be tackled down with immediate effects. We as individuals should treat mental health issues as it should or else our society will continue functioning broken shells of what we used to be.
When it comes to issues of the mind one should always remember that your mind can either control you or you control it.
Human thoughts are powerful and susceptible to many stressors. According to Dr Gagu Matsebula, South African Society of Psychiatrists spokesperson, believes that it is just as important to have a mental health check-up as a physical health check after a traumatic event.
According to research up to 20% of people who experience or witness traumatic events, like death, serious injury, or physical or sexual violence, are affected by acute stress disorder, and about half of those people will go on to develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which has a crippling effect on their ability to work and lead fulfilling lives.
An acute stress disorder has symptoms similar to PTSD but lasts for a shorter period of time, ranging from three days to a month.
According to research, It is common for people to experience a fresh wave of unpredictable emotions and physical symptoms in the days and weeks following such a trauma which include the following symptoms: hyper-vigilant, anger, irritability or difficulty sleeping.
Dr Gagu’s spokesperson also said that, “Different people experience and respond to trauma differently. Sometimes it is not the victim of the traumatic event who develops acute stress disorder – it could be someone who witnessed the event, or even the perpetrator,” he said.
People with pre-existing mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, or a substance use disorder and those with a family history of mental illness are at higher risk of developing acute stress disorder after a traumatic event.
Acute stress disorder symptoms include:
- Intrusive symptoms of recurring memories, flashbacks, and nightmares.
- Avoidance symptoms trying to avoid thinking about or remembering the event and avoiding people, places, or conversations that spark reminders of the event.
Dr Gagu also touched based on flashbacks which are invasive and involuntary because the memories keep surfacing despite your efforts to block them out. In the end, they induce distress because you find yourself reliving the traumatic experience, he explained.
Also see: World Mental Health Day!
