Anxiety dreams point to strained psyche

Posttraumatic stress disorder after misfortune can cause anxiety dreams

03/11/2014

People who experience a disaster such as a serious car accident or a natural disaster often develop great fears. Usually they disappear again after a few days. However, if the person still suffers from symptoms such as nightmares after one month, professional advice should be sought, reports Iris Hauth, board member of the German Society for Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, Psychosomatics and Neurology (DGPPN) in Berlin.

Anxiety dreams and stressful memories point to post-traumatic stress disorder
People who experience distressing memories and nightmares after a misfortune for more than four weeks may suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), reports the Medical Director of the Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics of the Alexian St. Joseph Hospital Berlin-Weißensee. A PTSD requires professional help, such as trauma-focused psychotherapy, which can usually cure the patient or at least ease his discomfort, the skin says. Psychotropic drugs are usually used only in acute states of excitement. „Posttraumatic Stress Disorder is diagnosed if typical symptoms persist for more than four weeks in distressing form after the event“, explains the expert.

Basically, any person may have PTSD, but certain groups of people are at increased risk. These include policemen, doctors, rescue workers and soldiers.

After a traumatic experience turn to the familiar
„An acute stress reaction usually occurs a few minutes after the event and is characterized by a diverse, often rapidly changing symptoms. It can go hand in hand with disorientation, concentration of consciousness and inner distancing from the experience. Some sufferers are unable to verbalize what happened or have a complete memory gap“, so the expert. „Typical physical symptoms include an accelerated heart activity, nausea, headache, sweating, blushing or paleness, and can also cause restlessness and irritability or hyperactivity.“ Those affected would also avoid activities and situations that reminded them of the trauma.

The DGPPN expert recommends those affected not to be alone after a horrible experience, but to trust someone as needed. „Alcohol consumption should be largely avoided and pay attention to a sufficient regular sleep.“ Relaxation and breathing exercises are also beneficial. „Likewise one should try to keep the usual daily routine. If you're having trouble completing everyday tasks or extra tasks, you can think about who might help“, advises Hauth. (Ag)