THE aftershocks of extremely distressing or frightening events can sometimes linger on in the body, in what’s known as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Pop icon Ariana Grande, 31, recently confessed she’d suffered from the mental health condition, which can manifest as nightmares and flashbacks, intrusive thoughts or feeling emotionally numb.
The singer credited her hit album ‘Thank U, Next’ for getting her through a “dark” time in her
Appearing on the The Hollywood Reporter’s Awards Chatter podcast, Ariana revealed that she’d started writing and recording the album just a couple weeks after the previous one, ‘Sweeter’, as she was in a bad place and “needed” the healing power of music.
“I was doing so much therapy, and I was dealing with PTSD and all different kinds of grief and depression and anxiety,” she shared.
“I was, of course, treating it very seriously, but having music be a part of that remedy was absolutely contributing to saving my life.
“They were dark times, and the music brought so much levity.”
Shortly before diving into ‘Thank U, Next’, Ariana had grappled with the passing of her ex-boyfriend Mac Miller and also split with her then-fiancé Pete Davidson.
In May 2017, the singer’s concert at the Manchester Arena was also targeted with a deadly suicide bomb attack.
Ariana later revealed she was suffering from PTSD in the wake of the tragic incident.
“[Thank U, Next] poured out with urgency, and it was made with urgency,” she added on Awards Chatter.
“It was a means of survival. The label understood that, but they were also very hesitant to stop Sweetener dead in its tracks and move onto an album so quickly.
“I just said, ‘I don’t really care about the formula. I don’t want to play by the rules at this moment, because this is what I need for my soul.’
“It felt really healing and freeing.”
Here, we go through what you need to know about PTSD – from symptoms to who may be effected by it and how it’s treated.
What is PTSD?
PTSD is an anxiety disorder caused by intensely stressful, frightening or distressing events.
People affected by the condition are often forced to relive a traumatic event from their past, such as through a series of nightmares, reoccurring memories, intrusive thoughts and images or flashbacks.
A flashback involves feeling like a terrifying event is happening right now, bringing on physical symptoms such as a racing heart, sweating trembling and feeling sick.
They may also experience feelings of isolation, guilt, irritability, insomnia, and a lack of concentration.
In many cases, these symptoms have a serious impact on the person’s day-to-day life.
How to get diagnosed with PTSD
If you’re experiencing symptoms of PTSD, you may assume that they will go away over time – but this is highlty unlikely, especially if you’ve been having symptoms for over a year.
The NHS recommends you see a GP if you or your child are still having problems about four weeks after the traumatic experience, or if the symptoms are particularly troublesome.
If necessary, your GP can refer you to mental health specialists for further assessment and treatment.
You can also refer yourself directly to a talking therapies service.
The only way you can know you have PTSD for sure is to speak to a medical professional about your symptoms and how you’ve been feeling. Your GP will ask you to talk about your symptoms and may ask you to describe the traumatic episode plaguing you, if you feel comfortable doing so.
PTSD can develop immediately after someone experiences a disturbing event, or it can occur weeks, months or even years later.
PTSD is estimated to affect about one in every three people who have a traumatic experience, but it’s not clear exactly why some people develop the condition and others do not.
Sufferers may feel like they constantly have to keep themselves busy to shield themselves from symptoms, feel emotionally numb or detached from their body, and may even turn to alcohol or drugs to avoid memories, PTSD UK notes.
It can also affect a person’s ability to drive – so sufferers should inform the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) of their condition.
PTSD was officially recognised as a mental health condition by American psychiatrists in 1980.
The first cases of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were documented during the First World War, between 1914 and 1918.
Soldiers developed ‘shell shock’ due to the harrowing conditions in the trenches, and witnessing the horrors of war.
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What are the signs of post traumatic stress disorder?
- Re-experiencing: This is the most common symptom. It often takes the form of flashbacks, nightmares, repetitive and distressing images or sensations, sweating, pain, nausea and trembling.
- Avoidance: Avoiding certain people and places that remind the person of the experience. Many people avoid talking about the trauma – and may distract themselves with work or hobbies. Some people attempt to numb their emotions completely, which can lead to them becoming isolated and withdrawn.
- Hyper-arousal: Leading to angry outbursts, irritability, insomnia and a lack of concentration.
- Other mental health problems: Including depression, anxiety or phobias.
- Self-harming or drug/alcohol misuse.
- Physical symptoms: Headaches, dizziness, chest pains and tummy aches.
- In children: Bed wetting, separation anxiety or re-enacting traumatic events through their play.
PTSD can develop immediately after someone experiences a disturbing event – but sometimes it doesn’t emerge until weeks or years later.
The mental illness affects around a third of people who have had a traumatic experience – and it’s not clear exactly why some people develop the condition and others don’t.
How is it treated?
There are a range of options to tackle someone’s PTSD.
Often it is not a quick fix – it can require hours of careful work to process the trauma.
But eventually patients can hope to see some improvement and get their life back.
- Watchful waiting: Monitoring someone’s symptoms to see if they get better or worse without treatment.
- Psychotherapy: Examples include trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), or eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR).
- Group therapy: An opportunity to discuss PTSD with others who have experienced the same trauma. Examples of UK charities and support groups include Combat Stress (for ex-military personnel), Rape Crisis (for females who have experienced abuse, domestic violence and sexual assault), Victim Support (for victims of or witnesses to crime), and CRUSE (for those who have experienced bereavement).
- Antidepressants
- Activities: these can be used alongside approved treatments and include yoga, meditation, music and art therapy, and various forms of exercise. These aren’t quick fixes, but they may offer a source of relief or help redirect negative responses.
How can children be treated PTSD?
Children, teens and other young people battling PTSD will normally be treated using CBT.
A course of eight to 12 sessions, which suit the child’s age, will be organised.
Family members may be invited along, if appropriate.
Treatment with medication will usually be a secondary resource for treating children and teens – but medication may be an option if they’re experiencing depression or panic attacks.
