Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after a person directly experiences or witnesses a terrifying or life-threatening event. Even after the event is over, the shock of what happened can keep coming back repeatedly and may seriously interfere with daily life. This article is based on health information provided by Samsung Medical Center and mental health guidance from the Korean Neuropsychiatric Association.
What is PTSD?
PTSD is a mental health condition that can occur after someone goes through an extreme trauma, such as war, an accident, violence, or a natural disaster. When a person experiences something that goes beyond what the mind and body can handle, the brain is unable to process the shock properly, and that state of distress can last for a long time.
What are the symptoms?
The main symptoms of PTSD fall into four broad categories.
1. Re-experiencing
- The traumatic event comes back involuntarily and repeatedly to the person’s mind.
- The person may relive the event in dreams, or feel as though it is happening again right now.
2. Avoidance
- The person consciously tries to avoid memories, places, people, or conversations connected to the event.
- They may suppress emotional expression or become emotionally numb.
3. Hyperarousal (a state of being constantly on edge)
- The person is always on guard for danger, or startles easily at small sounds.
- They may become irritable or easily upset, have trouble concentrating, and find it hard to sleep.
4. Negative thoughts and feelings
- Anxiety, anger, guilt, and sadness persist over time.
- The person may hold ongoing negative views about themselves or the world around them.
Diagnostic criteria: PTSD is diagnosed when symptoms like those above persist for at least one month after the traumatic event and begin to interfere with daily life. Accurate assessment is made through a clinical interview and psychological testing with a qualified professional.
Self-Check: The PCL-5 Checklist
The PCL-5 (PTSD Checklist for DSM-5) is a standardized self-assessment tool that lets you check your own PTSD symptoms. The reliability and validity of the Korean version of the PCL-5 have been verified through domestic research. Please review the 20 items below and think about how much you have experienced each one over the past month. Each item is answered on a 5-point scale from “Not at all (0)” to “Extremely (4).”
| No. | Item |
|---|---|
| 1 | Repeated, disturbing, and unwanted memories of the stressful experience coming back suddenly |
| 2 | Repeated disturbing dreams or nightmares about the stressful experience |
| 3 | Suddenly feeling or acting as if the stressful experience were actually happening again |
| 4 | Feeling very upset when something reminds you of the stressful experience |
| 5 | Having strong physical reactions when something reminds you of the stressful experience (for example, a pounding heart, sweating) |
| 6 | Avoiding memories, thoughts, or feelings related to the stressful experience |
| 7 | Avoiding external reminders of the stressful experience (people, places, activities, situations) |
| 8 | Trouble remembering important parts of the stressful experience |
| 9 | Having strong negative beliefs about yourself, other people, or the world |
| 10 | Blaming yourself or someone else for the stressful experience or what happened after it |
| 11 | Having strong negative feelings such as fear, horror, anger, guilt, or shame |
| 12 | Loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy |
| 13 | Feeling distant or cut off from other people |
| 14 | Trouble experiencing positive feelings |
| 15 | Irritable behavior, angry outbursts, or acting aggressively |
| 16 | Taking too many risks or doing things that could cause you harm |
| 17 | Being “super-alert” or watchful or on guard |
| 18 | Feeling jumpy or easily startled |
| 19 | Having difficulty concentrating |
| 20 | Trouble falling or staying asleep |
If you are worried about your symptoms, we encourage you to seek professional support. Because the exact cut-off score for interpreting the PCL-5 can vary slightly depending on the professional, please check the latest guidance with the Immigration Contact Center 1345 (1345, a government hotline providing multilingual guidance on daily life and welfare for foreigners in Korea) or a nearby Community Mental Health and Welfare Center.
How to Prevent and Recover from PTSD
After going through a traumatic event, the following approaches can support your recovery. If you are also having trouble sleeping, please refer to Causes and Prevention of Sleep Disorders, Self-Assessment, and Hospital Information as well.
Helpful actions
- Let someone listen: Talking to a family member, friend, or colleague and receiving emotional support is the most important thing you can do.
- Acknowledge your feelings: Recognize your fear, sadness, and anger just as they are. Having these feelings is a completely natural response.
- Keep a regular routine: Try to maintain consistent times for waking up and going to bed, and make an effort to focus on the things you need to do.
- Move your body: Light exercise and physical activity can help calm your mind.
- Share with someone you trust: Talk about your thoughts and feelings with someone who is important to you right now.
- Hold onto a positive belief: Keep the belief that “I can get through this.”
Actions to avoid
- Living irregularly or spending time in a daze
- Dwelling repeatedly on past mistakes
- Becoming overly absorbed in news coverage related to the event
- Relying on alcohol, gaming, or other means to deny or escape from the problem
If you find yourself becoming dependent on alcohol, this can develop into a separate problem of its own. Please refer to Symptoms, Treatment, and Counseling Resources for Alcohol Dependence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. A family member has been through a serious accident. How should I treat them?
First, listen to what they have to say and offer steady emotional support. Rather than pressing them to talk about the event, focus on creating a comfortable atmosphere where they feel safe to speak when they are ready. Simply being there with them can already make a great difference.
Q2. How long does treatment take?
Treatment length varies from person to person, but if you are receiving medication, it is generally recommended to continue for at least one year even after the effects begin to show, without stopping early. Please discuss a specific treatment plan thoroughly with your doctor. For a concrete timeframe, consult your specialist directly.
Q3. What actions are helpful or unhelpful for psychological wellbeing?
| Helpful | Unhelpful |
|---|---|
| Maintaining a regular daily routine | Irregular lifestyle or spending time in a daze |
| Focusing on things you need to do | Dwelling on past mistakes |
| Exercise and physical activity | Becoming overly absorbed in event-related news |
| Sharing thoughts and feelings with someone you trust | Avoiding the problem by relying on alcohol, gaming, etc. |
| Focusing on the people and values that matter to you now |
Where to Get Help
If you need counseling or treatment for PTSD, please reach out at any time. You are not alone.
Public Mental Health Support Organizations
- National Center for Mental Health: Provides mental health information and referrals to local Community Mental Health and Welfare Centers.
- Mental Health Crisis Counseling Hotline 1577-0199: Operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You can call at any time during a mental health crisis.
- National Trauma Center: Provides trauma healing and rehabilitation programs along with psychological counseling.
- Suicide Prevention Counseling Hotline 109: Since January 2024, suicide prevention counseling has been consolidated under the single number 109.
- Immigration Contact Center 1345: Provides multilingual guidance on daily life and welfare in Korean, English, and other languages.
The specific services and application procedures of each organization are subject to change, so please confirm the latest information with 1345 or the National Center for Mental Health before applying.
Reference Links
- Korean Neuropsychiatric Association: https://www.knpa.or.kr
- National Center for Mental Health: https://www.ncmh.go.kr
- National Trauma Center: https://www.ntrc.or.kr
This article is a reworked version of MAP Health News Issue No. 6, produced by MAP based on health information provided by Samsung Medical Center and mental health guidance from the Korean Neuropsychiatric Association.