National PTSD Awareness Day
As we're about to wrap up June, we come upon National Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Day. This is one of the most important days of June. It is a day when we are supposed to support those with a potentially deadly mental affliction. Supporting those affected by PTSD is of the utmost importance, at times it is a constant fight against oneself. It's a struggle that is not easy to win, so you shouldn't have to fight it alone.
PTSD Explained
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that is triggered by exposure to a terrifying event. This event is usually so stress-inducing, that it completely warps and changes parts of the brain. The warping of the brain causes it to act, and think differently. It affects the decisions made by the person impacted with PTSD.
Changes To the Brain Caused By PTSD
The Amygdala
This is an almond-shaped 1-inch section of the brain, it is commonly known as the fire alarm of the brain. This is the section of the brain that is in charge of your fight, flight, or freeze response to dangerous situations. This section of the brain when suffering from PTSD no longer acts normally. It can turn on whenever it shouldn't as well as there are times when it will not turn off. Some people live the rest of their lives on edge under constant and immense amounts of stress due to PTSD.
The Hippocampus
This is the learning center of the brain. after suffering a traumatic event and becoming afflicted with PTSD this section of the brain will shrink and become less active. This results in issues in memory, problem-solving, trouble distinguishing past from present, being in a state of hypervigilance, and extreme emotional reactivity.
The Prefrontal Cortex
This is the front part of the brain that is responsible for your main rational decision-making. When suffering from trauma this part of the brain becomes less active. This makes it very difficult for people to control their fear response. Especially when coupled with an overactive Amygdala, a less active prefrontal cortex can leave someone in a never-ending state of fear.
How to Help Those Suffering from PTSD
Now that we understand a little more about what's going on inside of someone's brain who has PTSD. We can use this to help us understand how to help people struggling with it. Whenever someone is suffering from PTSD and they have limited rational decision-making, possible flashbacks, and are very afraid even if there is no threat.
The best thing you can do is approach slowly, with no sudden movements, and try to listen more than you speak. The goal is to comfort them in whatever way works best for them. Some may want to be held, which you should always ask before touching someone in this state. Some may not want to be touched and just want someone to listen. Others don't want to talk or touch but may simply just want you there to have your presence.
How we can help
We at Bio-One NW Indianapolis understand the stress that those with PTSD experience. The owner, Richard Weinblatt was in Law Enforcement for decades. Richard served as a deputy sheriff on the Mexican border, as well as Police captain in Indiana, and Chief of police in North Carolina. Due to his background, Richard has a truly vast amount of experience in helping those in a state of crisis.
Richard has passed on this experience to the team of Bio-One NW Indianapolis. This allows its technicians to help those in a state of crisis as well. We don't just do the work that you call us for, we are there for you. We truly care about our customers and are prepared to support them. We're not scared of being a shoulder to cry on. In the end, for us at Bio-One NW Indianapolis, it is always help first business second.
If you have any questions, you can reach out to us at any time. We are always here to help.
"Help First, Business Second"
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