HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Suggest Treatment For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder And Insomnia ?

Posted on Tue, 23 Dec 2014

Question: I have ptsd and insomnia and really am just now looking at my life and realizing that I am trying to cope with too much stress. I was born in a very disfunctional family which is how I obtained prolonged ptsd. Furthermore, when I was eight, me and my brother were sexually abused which made it worse. I became obese and introverted. I did not reveal what happened for four years. I have abandonement issues. I have bitten my nails for as long as I can remember but that became out of control, I started biting the skin around my nails then I started picking at my skin and biting my lips till sometimes it would look like I had busted it. I imagine having conversations with people I know daily. I did not think of any of these things until one day I was biting my nails and i realised it was because I was nervous. I started to notice every time I was nervous ( usually unconsciously ) I would do any one of the things I described and they seemed to calm me. Also, I think because of the ptsd, I feel like im stuck in my head. I get stuck thinking about things from the past and even when I realize im doing it and try to stop they keep popping up. I decided to write this because I realized I was freaking out because I was talking to my cousin on facebook and it said he had seen my message and he didnt answer. Before I even realized it my pulse was quickening and I imagined talking to him about how everyone had abandoned me and how I had trusted him and if he wasnt going to be there then go away. I shocked myself.

Answered by Dr. Chintan Solanki (43 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Consult Psychiatrist and start the treatment

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX

Thanks for writing to us.

I read your history in detail. I can understand your pain and discomfort. You are in real need of professional. You must consult a psychiatrist.

As you are suffering from since long and problems have started since childhood, detail history of all these as well as current mental status examination are required to diagnose your problem and specific treatment.

From your history it seems you are depressed and anxiety features are there. You should be given a medicine from SSRI group(Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor - Escitalopram/Sertraline) and anti anxiety in low dose(Clonazepam, etizolam, lorazepam) and same medicines (Clonazepam, lorazepam)in high dose for insomnia.Try maintain your diet, sleep and study/work schedule as far as possible.

Simultaneous psychotherapy- psycho dynamic psychotherapy would also be helpful. It will bring all issues of past on surface from your subconscious mind and resolve it. For that you should have patience, readiness, motivation and confidence in therapist.

Simultaneous interview and counseling of your family members may be needed also.

For all these you should consult a psychiatrist and start the treatment for better future and prevent worsening of your health.

Hope I have answered your query, I will be happy to help further.
Regards,
Dr.Chintan Solanki.

Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju