Prolonged Duress Stress Disorder PDSD

This article provides information and an explanation on Prolonged Duress Stress Disorder or PDSD.

• Prolonged Duress Stress Disorder Explained
• Common Indicators for PDSD
• How Can PDSD Be Treated?
• Does Counseling Help With PDSD?

In today’s day and age, society continues to thrive technologically, economically, and financially, unfortunately, the same cannot be said about our mental health. According to the Global Organization for Stress, almost 75 percent of Americans experience some sort of stress daily. Out of these, some of the most commonly cited sources of stress directly impacting one’s mental well-being include:

• Work and job satisfaction
• Money and family responsibilities
• Personal safety
• Maintaining healthy relationships
• Health problems

Many of us consider stress to be a double-edged sword with some amount of stress acting as a healthy motivator for us to perform well in different facets of life.

Alternatively, being subjected to continued stress forces individuals to enter a stage of resistance thus causing their physiological functioning to work continuously at elevated levels.

Over time, the constant exposure to stress starts impairing one’s nervous system, forcing one to lose the ability to adapt.

When this happens, you end up having a lowered resistance and being susceptible to illnesses like Prolonged Duress Stress Disorder (PDSD).

Prolonged Duress Stress Disorder Explained

Stress that is caused by one sudden traumatic incident, such as being in an accident or witnessing a horrific incident, can result in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). But when you are in a situation where you experience an ongoing occurrence of negative trauma or stress, you may find yourself exhibiting symptoms of Prolonged Duress Stress Disorder (PDSD).

It is most common in officers working in emergency services or workers subjected to ongoing workplace harassment or bullying.

Unlike Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, in Prolonged Duress Stress Disorder, the trauma is cumulative rather than sudden.

Here an individual is not subjected to any life-threatening trauma or serious injury, but the constant exposure to second-hand stress is the main culprit behind it.

Common Indicators for PDSD

Some of the most prevalent indicators of Prolonged Duress Stress Disorder (PDSD) include:

• Anxiety and depression
• Nightmares (where one continuously re-experiences the negative trauma)
• Panic attacks
• Emotional numbing
• Hyper arousal
• Irritability
• Hyper vigilance and not being able to relax
• Flashbacks and unpleasant emotions
• Insomnia and even
• Lack of concentration

How Can PDSD Be Treated?

Prolonged Duress Stress Disorder isn’t something that should be taken lightly. Once diagnosed, an individual needs to seek treatment options as soon as possible. Treatment for PDSD involves making healthy lifestyle changes. This begins with eating a healthy diet and making sure that you get adequate sleep alongside incorporating a daily exercise routine. You should access your doctor and request a referral to a psychologist. A psychologist will help you with treatment for PDSD.

Does Counseling Help With PDSD?

Enrolling in a counseling program is important. Counseling sessions for treating Prolonged Duress Stress Disorder can typically range from a few months to years based on the severity of one’s condition. Due to the sensitive nature of PDSD, it requires a lot of expert attention and consideration to move through the trauma counselling process. However, by identifying the problem and seeking help at the right time one can help get to the root cause of the problem and gain knowledge of the appropriate treatment required. Thus, keeping up with regular counselling along with any medications prescribed by your GP or psychiatrist will play an active role in the road towards recovery.

In Conclusion

Prolonged Duress Stress Disorder stands as one of the most common stress disorders today, affecting men and women alike. However, with a clear understanding of one’s condition followed by proper counseling and medication, PDSD can be treated. So if you or someone you know is facing similar symptoms, it is best to contact your doctor and get a referral for some help with PDSD or book an appointment directly with a psychologist.