Hi,

June is the month to spread Men’s Health, Tourettes and PTSD. In my last blog, I had tried to address some issues related to Men’s Health and today I am sharing a little brief about Tourettes and PTSD.

As I have decided to spread all sort of Mental Illness triggers and I am studying and trying to understand each and every such disorder which looks abnormal to others but causes great distress in the individual.

Speaking about Tourettes, how many of you have watched the Indian movie “Hichki”? (Hiccup)

In this movie, the actress portrays the character of a teacher who is a victim of Tourette’s disorder, a struggling individual who is not able to find a decent job for her in spite being highly qualified.

Tourette syndrome (TS) is a neurological disorder characterized by repetitive, stereotyped, involuntary movements and vocalizations called tics.

The early symptoms of TS are typically noticed first in childhood, with the average onset between the ages of 3 and 9 years. TS occurs in people from all ethnic groups; males are affected about three to four times more often than females.

Tics are often worse with excitement or anxiety and better during calm, focused activities. 

In the movie, the actress was made fun of her disorder and the interviewers always had a doubt on her abilities to teach children, but she insisted and with certain ups and downs, trials and errors, she wins the heart of her class students and teachers and makes a place for her in the school as a teacher.

This was reel life but a fair attempt to present what an individual has to go through in order to survive his daily and basic needs if he or she is a victim of any such disorder which is not in their hands.

What is the course of Tourettes?

Tics come and go over time, varying in type, frequency, location, and severity.  The first symptoms usually occur in the head and neck area and may progress to include muscles of the trunk and extremities.

Most patients experience peak tic severity before the mid-teen years with improvement for the majority of patients in the late teen years and early adulthood.

Approximately 10-15 percent of those affected have a progressive or disabling course that lasts into adulthood.

What causes Tourettes?

The causes of TS is unknown, current research points to abnormalities in certain brain regions, the circuits that interconnect these regions, and the neurotransmitters (dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine) responsible for communication among nerve cells.

Although the symptoms of TS are involuntary, some people can sometimes suppress, camouflage, or otherwise manage their tics in an effort to minimize their impact on functioning.

However, people with TS often report a substantial buildup in tension when suppressing their tics to the point where they feel that the tic must be expressed (against their will).

Although there is no cure for TS, the condition in many individuals improves in the late teens and early 20s. As a result, some may actually become symptom-free or no longer need medication for tic suppression.

PTSD – Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a disorder that develops in some people who have experienced a shocking, scary, or dangerous event.

Fear triggers many split-second changes in the body to help defend against danger or to avoid it. This “fight-or-flight” response is a typical reaction meant to protect a person from harm.

Nearly everyone will experience a range of reactions after trauma, yet most people recover from initial symptoms naturally. Those who continue to experience problems may be diagnosed with PTSD. People who have PTSD may feel stressed or frightened, even when they are not in danger.

Signs and Symptoms of PTSD

Certain unwarranted incidents or some experiences, like the sudden, unexpected death of a loved one, can also cause PTSD.  Some people recover within 6 months, while others have symptoms that last much longer.

Anyone can develop PTSD at any age. This includes war veterans, children, and people who have been through a physical or sexual assault, abuse, accident, disaster, or other serious events. 

Treatments and Therapies

The main treatments for people with PTSD are medications, psychotherapy (“talk” therapy), or both.

Everyone is different, and PTSD affects people differently, so a treatment that works for one person may not work for another. It is important for anyone with PTSD to be treated by a mental health provider who is experienced with PTSD.

Want to know how it feels like to have PTSD? Watch here

The more I read and learn about such disorders the more it leaves me wondering how many people are living in a hiding, how they cope up with their daily lifestyle? How they manage work?

I get no answers and all I can do is research and aware myself and through my blog, spread some awareness about these disorders so that we can help someone we come across.

Source and Facts: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and National Institute of Mental Health

Much Love and gratitude

Priyanka

#virtualsiyahi