Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Synopsis of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that occurs after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, such as war, assault, natural disasters, accidents, or medical emergencies. PTSD causes persistent emotional and physical responses including flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance, avoidance, and mood disturbances. It affects both the brain and nervous system, altering stress hormone levels and emotional processing. While it’s normal to have acute stress reactions after trauma, PTSD is diagnosed when symptoms persist for more than one month and impair daily functioning.
Types:
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Acute PTSD: Symptoms develop within 3 months of the trauma
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Chronic PTSD: Symptoms last longer than 3 months
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Delayed-onset PTSD: Symptoms begin 6+ months after the trauma
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Complex PTSD: Often from prolonged trauma (e.g., childhood abuse), involves deep emotional and relational disruption
Common Causes:
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Military combat or first-responder trauma
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Physical or sexual assault
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Natural disasters or serious accidents
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Medical trauma (e.g., emergency C-section, ICU stays)
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Witnessing violent or life-threatening events
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Repeated exposure to distressing events (e.g., in caregiving or journalism)
Severity Causes:
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Duration and intensity of the trauma
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Lack of support system or early intervention
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Preexisting mental health conditions or adverse childhood experiences
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Re-traumatization or continued exposure to stress
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Biological sensitivity (e.g., heightened stress hormone response)
When to See a Doctor:
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Flashbacks, nightmares, or panic attacks disrupting life
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Avoidance of people, places, or events related to trauma
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Severe anxiety, anger, or emotional numbness
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Suicidal thoughts or self-harming behavior
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Inability to function at work, in relationships, or in daily life
Natural remedies for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Ashwagandha: An adaptogen that supports the adrenal glands, reduces cortisol, and helps the body regulate its response to chronic stress and emotional triggers.
L-theanine: Found in green tea, it promotes alpha brain wave activity and calms anxiety without sedation. Can be taken in supplement form for focused relaxation.
Magnesium: Essential for nervous system function and relaxation. Helps ease insomnia, muscle tension, and nervous overactivity often present in PTSD.
Chamomile: A gentle herb that reduces nervous tension, supports restful sleep, and may help soften irritability and emotional volatility.
GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid): A key inhibitory neurotransmitter that calms nerve activity. Supplemental GABA may reduce hypervigilance and ease intrusive thoughts.
Rhodiola: An adaptogen that increases emotional resilience and reduces stress-related fatigue. Especially useful for emotional numbness and burnout in trauma recovery.
Mindfulness and deep breathing: Regular practice helps ground the mind, calm physiological arousal, and reduce reactivity to trauma-related triggers.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing): A non-drug therapy that reduces distress associated with traumatic memories and is highly effective for PTSD.
Gentle movement: Yoga, tai chi, or walking promote a sense of control, regulate the nervous system, and help release stored trauma in the body.
Ingredients
These raw ingredients are often used in alternative medicine to treat Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)
7-Keto-DHEA
acetyl l-carnitine
ashwagandha
bacillus coagulans
bifidobacterium infantis
bifidobacterium longum
branched-chain amino acids
caterpillar mushroom
chamomile
citicoline
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
cordyceps
creatine monohydrate
endo-peptidase
fungal protease
GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid)
genistein
green tea
HMR lignan
l-arginine
l-taurine
l-theanine
l-tryptophan
l-tyrosine
lentinula edodes mycelia
lion's mane
lithium orotate
magnesium
melatonin
nicotinamide riboside
pregnenolone
prolyl endopeptidase (PEP)
protease
resveratrol
rhodiola
SAMe (s-adenosyl-l-methionine disulfate p-toluensulfate)
sceletium
trypsin
turkey tail mushroom
vitamin B6
vitamin C
zinc
bee pollen
lingzhi
cistanche
St. John's Wort
star of Bethlehem
3-Ketosteroid
5-Methoxytryptamine
5-androstene-3alpha,17beta-diol
5-HTP (test)
5-HTP
7,8-Dihydroxyflavone
7-oxo-DHEA
7-Beta-Hydroxy-DHEA
7b-hydroxy, 17b-dihydro DHEA
Alpha-Ketoglutarate
Ashwagandha
Acetyl L-Carnitine
Arginine Creatine
Arachidonic Acid
Albizia julibrissin
Albizia
AHCC
Adrafinil
Acetyl L-Tyrosine
Agmatine sulfate
Adrenals
Acetoglyceride
Acetyl-L-Tyrosine
Astaxanthin
Alkylglycerols
Aniracetam
Arabinogalactans
Arabinogalactan
Acetyl-L-Carnitine-L-Arginine
Arginine
Arginine alpha-ketoisocaproate
Aniracetam
Beta Phenethylalamine
Bifidobacterium infantis
Bee Pollen
Biopeptide
Beta-hydroxybutyrate
Beta microglobulin
Beta phenethylamine
Boron (various)
Beta Hydroxybutyrate
Branched-Chain Amino Acids
BCAA
bacoside
Blue Vervain
Calotropis gigantea
Cordycepic acids
Creatine glutamine
Coriolus mushroom
Codonopsis
Colostrum peptides
Calcium Beta-Hydroxybutyrate
Cat's Claw
Catecholamine
Cannabinol
Cordyceps
Cockroach
Cannabigerolic acid
Creatine phosphate
Chicken embryo protein
Citicholine
Creatine
Chinese Mountain Ant
Coenzyme Q10
Creatine gluconate
Creatine leucine
Creatine-leucine
Cannabidiol
Carnitine
Coriolus Mushroom
Cystine
Creatine Orotate
Creatine alpha-ketoglutarate
Creatine Pyruvate
Creatine Malate
Citicoline
Cannabidiolic acid
Creatine alpha-aminobutyrate
Creatine leucinate
Creatine valine
Docosahexaenoic Acid
D-phenylalanine
DL-Phenyl-Alanine 4,2-Dimethylaminoethyl
DHA
DHEA
DHEA
Deer Root
Dialyzable Leukocyte Extract
DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid)
Diatase
DHA-conjugated phosphatidylserine
Devil's Club
DL-phenylalanine
Dopamine
DMG (Dimethylglycine)
Dipeptide
Endorphin (unspecified)
Elk antler
Eleuthero
Enzyme Blend
Eicosapentaenoic Acid
EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid)
Griffonia
Glutamine alpha-ketoglutarate
GMS-ribose
Glutamine (various)
Glycine-alanyl-l-methionine
Glycine-alanyl-l-tryptophan
Glycoprotein isolate
Gamma amino beta-hydroxybutyric acid
Glycine
Ginseng (unspecified)
Glycine
Glycine-alanyl-l-leucine
Glycocyamine
Gland (mixed)
Ginsenosides
hyperforin
Hericium mushroom
Hemp oil
Indole alkaloid (unspecified)
Ibutamoren
Kavalactone
Kratom
ketone (unspecified)
Ketone Salts
Ketone
L-Tyrosine
Lithium
Lithium
Lithium
L-Taurine
L-Serine
L-Phenylalanine
Methoxy phenethylamine
MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane)
Magnesium Creatine
Melatonin
Medium chain triglycerides (MCT)
Magnesium Alpha-Ketoglutarate
Magnesium Beta-Hydroxybutyrate
Melatonin
Methionine reductase
Methylphenethylamine
N-Acetyl Cysteine
N-Acetyl Tyrosine
Nitrous Oxide
Nerve growth factor
Omega-3 fatty acids
Oxytocin
Oxymatrine
Orchid tree (unspecified)
Phosphocreatine
Pyritinol
Poria Mushrooms
Picamilon
proline rich peptides
phenylpiracetam
Phenethylamine (PEA)
phosphatidyl inositol
Phosphatidylinostol
Phenylethylamine (PEA)
Procaine
Proteolytic Enzymes (Proteases)
Phosphatidylserine
phenethylamine (PEA)
Phenylalanine
Phenethylamine
Phosphatidylserine complex
Phenibut
Panax Notoginseng
Poppy
Phytocannabinoid (unspecified)
Pregnenolone
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)
Phosphcreatine
Rhodiola (unspecified)
Rock Rose
Rhodiola
Reishi
SAMe
Sceletium
Sulbutiamine
SAM-e
Salidroside
St. John's Wort
Seratonin
Somatropin
SAM-e
Schizochytrium
Star of Bethlehem
Serotonin
Tryptophan
Tetracyclic oxindole alkaloids
Tripeptide
Tumerone
Thymus polypeptide
Transfer Factor
Tetrahydrocannabinol
Theanine
Tetrahydrocannabivarin
Tyrosine
Tinospora Cordifolia
Theanine
tripeptide (unspecified)
Taurine
Tetrahydropalmatine
Uridine monophosphate
Uncaria sinensis
Uridine
Venus's Fly Trap
Vitamin B12 (adenosylcobalamin)
Vitamin B1 (fursultiamine)
Velvet
Vitamin B1 (Sulbutiamine)
Xanthine (unspecified)