The psychology of post-traumatic stress disorder - Joelle Rabow Maletis

Get informed on the science behind post-traumatic stress disorder, PTSD, its symptoms and how the brain reacts to trauma.

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Many of us will experience some kind of trauma during our lifetime. Sometimes, we escape with no long-term effects. But for millions of people, those experiences linger, causing symptoms like flashbacks, nightmares, and negative thoughts that interfere with everyday life. Joelle Rabow Maletis details the science behind post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD.

Lesson by Joelle Rabow Maletis, directed by Tomás Pichardo-Espaillat.

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[michaelcastillo]

That’s exactly what it feels like. My life is on pause. I have everything I need to thrive but cannot focus energy on any more than the bare minimum to survive.

[kiara-ukio]

"but even if it is an invisible disorder, it doesn't have to be a silent one."

[tchndrn]

My ex of 2.5 years had PTSD when we first started dating. She didn't name it or point to it, but she had told me about a particularly traumatic event of her past, and it became obvious to me when she moved in. Strong nightmares, freezing panic attacks in the middle of the day, jumping when I appeared near her undetected (unintended, of course) - all clear signs of unresolved trauma. I started treating her with all the gentleness and kindness I could muster. I also started making more noise as I was walking around the flat, heh. Like, switching from house socks to flip-flops, humming, sighing, tapping on the walls. Gradually, the nightmares disappeared, the panic attacks too, and she would no longer get scared from me showing up. She was beautiful, happy and free, and I was deeply in love with her. But she was still anxious, incapable of empathy, and with a broken ego - all results of her past traumas. I never managed to cure that...

When she left me, it came as an utter shock to me. I couldn't think straight, my words were not my own, I could not comprehend that it was happening. I had become completely emotionally dependent on her. I never even imagined that she would leave - in fact, I was planning to propose to her. I became suicidal, I almost stopped eating, lost 10kg in 1 month, started taking pills and lost my job. Due to the toxicity of our relationship and the shock of abandonment, I'm now diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.

The end. That's all. There is no happy ending. She no longer talks to me. She's already dating one of my old "friends" who was flirting with her when we were still together.

Life goes on, or something like that... Thanks for reading.

[leilanipotgieter]

This animation style is making me nervous

[youngjaeandchipotle]

"when problems last more than a month, PTSD is often diagnosed"

It's been 12 years since my father's death in a plane accident and I finally went to a psychiatrist last November.

[JohnGeorge-pwxo]

I was severely traumatized years ago as a teenage, got diagnosed with cptsd. Spent my whole life fighting cptsd. I suffered severe depression and mental disorder. Not until my wife recommended me to psilocybin mushrooms treatment. Psilocybin treatment saved my life honestly. 6 years totally clean. Never thought I would be saying this about mushrooms.

[doevi]

Thank you. This was played in my class, and my classmates knew that I had PTSD (I had a breakdown in class and had to explain it to them). They didn't understand it and made fun of me about it. They would purposely hit triggers, trying to see if I was actually mentally ill or if I was just doing it for attention. When this was showed, though, they stopped making fun of me. They stopped being rude and all of these things, because I think that this actually showed them what my life was like. They knew how I suffered, and I think they sympathized. So, I have to say, thank you.

[Xerxezkov]

The animation, the tone go along so well with the topic.

[OrigenalDarkMew]

My girlfriend signed onto the army with her friend, but her friend didn't make it back after her tour... She has PTSD episodes every time she's reminded of her friend and what happened to her in front of her eyes... PTSD is no joke. Only way I know how to help is to be there for her.

[hhmmhmhm]

PTSD isn't a mental illness _exclusively_ for war veterans. In fact, the majority of those diagnosed have never been to war. It isn't the war itself that causes this disorder, it's the many traumas which increase the chances of its development. One may not develop PTSD from going to war. This information is crucial in truly understanding this disorder.

[cup_check_official]

It just makes me sad whenever i hear about ptsd...

[hazeemakhan]

I grew up having different traumatic experience which caused me so much pain bringing up severe anxiety and depression

[rememberremember]

Yay, a talk about PTSD were Freeze is included in as a response . Thank you !

[moniquebrivashne]

"Lack of emotional support" I felt that...

[psychominded]

Diagnosed with lifelong PTSD about a year ago, completely destroyed my life. I live alone have very minimal interaction, do not go out and I have to do this to manage and make my life somewhat more bearable. Since doing this I am the happiest I've ever been.

I think early childhood trauma plays a huge part in it for a lot of people and I wish this was taught in prenatal courses.

[PowerpuffZ]

I really appreciate the care that went into making this video. The explanation of how triggers work was just an excellent way to explain the sensation. As someone who deals with seemingly harmless triggers that result in panic attacks, a simple and susinct way of describing triggers goes a long way for me. Thank you.

[TheCoffeeNut]

If I could describe an anxiety disorders its like carrying a weighted backpack. Somedays its light weight, others it feels like its a pile of heavy rocks.

[Hacks_con_LVMX]

Told my mother about it and she said that I can’t hold on to this excuse for the rest of my life. It’s never been a good life.

[sdrawkcabdaernacuoy]

My PTSD still resurfaces from time to time after 45 years. My recurring nightmare stopped once I realized it was an actual memory. As long as I don't talk about it, or dwell on the memory I am able to avoid the uncontrollable emotions. I pray that anyone with PTSD is able to find peace and serenity one day at a time.

[beestrick]

Thank you so much for making this!! I was diagnosed last year with PTSD and Ted Ed has done so much to help me get through it. I have alot of trouble with insomnia and often times cant sleep alone, Ted Ed videos gave me the abulity to sleep alone again! The calm voices and the new facts tricked my brain into relaxing, not panicking. Ive gone through treatment and am doing much better but the insomnia never left, but i can handle it thanks to you guys. Seeing you talk about PTSD means the world to me, thank you!!!