20/07/2025

ON SUNDAY JULY 20, 2025 theSunday Special VIII

Not every trauma leaves a visible trail The post-traumatic syndrome disorder could be affecting someone near you and it is more dangerous than you realise

Through gentle negotiation, past trauma can be understood and healed, allowing a healthier way forward.”

T ALKING about mental health is becoming more common. Conditions like depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder are no longer seen as something to be ashamed of. A decade ago, these topics were often ignored, hidden away to avoid judgment or embarrassment. But today, more people are open to learning and helping those who are strug gling. Mental health is becoming part of everyday conversations and that includes Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD. According to the World Health Organ isation, one in four people will experience a mental or neurological disorder in their lifetime. Around eight in every 100 people have lived through PTSD. It’s more com mon than we think. And chances are, someone close to you could be carrying that weight, whether you realise it or not. But while the world is becoming more accepting, Malaysia still has a long way to go. Although studies show that 26% of mental health patients in the country screen positive for PTSD, the stigma around it hasn’t shifted much. It moves in circles – the silence, the shame, the misunderstanding – making it harder for people to come forward and seek help. BY AQILAH NAJWA JAMALUDDIN

T KHUH¶V D JURZLQJ H̆ RUW WR WDON DERXW what causes PTSD, how it can be treated and how to support someone going through it. It’s also a time to push back against the stigma that still surrounds

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mental health in Malaysia. Understanding PTSD

We often see PTSD in films – soldiers returning from war or survivors of abuse trying to rebuild their lives. They battle flashbacks, seek help and face painful memories, but the journey is never simple. A FFRUGLQJ WR 'U -R\ +XH D FHUWL¿HG clinical hypnotherapist and counsellor at RE: Life Clinic, PTSD doesn’t only arise from war or violence. It can also develop after experiencing or witnessing life-threatening events, such as natural disasters or car accidents. “PTSD can also happen after a car crash or suddenly losing someone,” she said. “Any experience that feels frightening or painful can cause trauma. Many of my clients have been through things like childhood neglect, bullying or sexual harassment. Even something like a child ZDWFKLQJ D VFDU\ ¿OP FDQ KDYH D ODVWLQJ H̆ HFW DQG OHDG WR 376' ODWHU RQ ´ Flashbacks, nightmares, heightened alertness and avoiding anything that might trigger memories of the trauma are some of the more common signs of PTSD.

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