Holland Reporter

Rep. Mary Whiteford (R-Casco Township) posted a video on Facebook about recognizing the issue of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Whiteford said PTSD is an anxiety disorder that occurs after a person goes through a traumatic experience. This trauma causes fear and helplessness, and those suffering from the disorder have a higher risk for suicide.

“According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, between 2 and 9% of the population has had some degree of PTSD,” Whiteford said in her Mental Health Minute video. “However, the likelihood of developing the disorder is greater when someone is exposed to multiple traumas or traumatic events early in life, or both, especially if the trauma is long-term or repeated.”

Symptoms for PTSD typically fall into three categories: re-experience, avoidance and increased arousal, Whiteford said in the video. 

People who "re-experience" their trauma have flashbacks, hallucinations or other feelings of the event happening again, Whiteford said. "Avoidance" is when they avoid anything from feelings to people that cause them to remember the event. And "increased arousal," which includes difficulty staying asleep, causes those suffering from PTSD to be alert, jumpy and have difficulty staying focused. 

Different types of therapy can help those with PTSD. 

“PTSD is often treated with behavior therapy that focuses on learning relating and coping techniques,” Whiteford said in the video. “Cognitive therapy is therapy that helps people with PTSD take a close look at their thought patterns and learn to do less negative and nonproductive thinking.” 

Group therapy also helps many people with PTSD, Whiteford said. It allows them to get to know others with the disorder who have experienced similar trauma.

Whiteford urged those who have PTSD or know someone with PTSD to contact the National Alliance on Mental Illness for help. “Better mental health will prevent more shootings than any form of gun control,” Whiteford said.