CASE STUDY: THE INCREASING RATE OF PTSD CASES IN THE PHILIPPINES

THE PROBLEM
Currently, people around the world are bombarded with a lot of problems and challenges.
These sorts of negativity have contributed to the emotional distress to the affected individuals
that may distorts their mental health. And as we reach the era where technology emerges and fly
through, it is highly rampant that any issues or matters which concerns mental health are being
trivialized or neglected.
In the Philippines, Filipinos are experiencing myriads of calamities, disasters, and today,
a pandemic. It truly made a swirling vision which blocked their sights to seek resiliency and
optimism. These disasters dilapidated the sources of incomes and the lives of the people. Indeed,
it’s exhausting and traumatizing at the same time which will take a lot of time for them to be
recovered.
One of the common psychological issues is the increasing rate of the Post-Traumatic
Stress Disorder or also known as PTSD. It is a mental health condition which serves as a trigger
point of all the terrifying events that a person has experienced or witnessed (Mayo Clinic, 2019).
Its symptoms or early signs are when the patient is experiencing intense flashbacks, nightmares,
and intense anxiety (National Institute of Mental Health, 2020). Moreover, according to Michael
W. Smith (2020), it is highly common among people who have experienced horrible or terrifying
events in their lives.
In the national context, the Philippines had experienced various of calamities, the
pandemic, and death. These factors can highly affect the mental health of these individuals which
could contribute stress and traumatic experiences which could eventually lead to PTSD (Fajarito,
2017). It has become a rampant problem or issue because the number of cases are increasing
whenever a certain typhoon, or any sort of calamities have happened.
A study about PTSD by Gregory J. Boyle and Samuel Ramos (2019) substantiates how
this mental health condition could leave a scar in the memories or state of an individual. It also
presents a solution or an action that could simply address this kind of issue. Since, a study also
shows how it is being taken lightly for it is just a “shell shock” that fades overtime (Reyes,
2020). But according to Mayo Clinic, it is highly essential to be treated immediately.
This psychological issue has become a major problem due it needs proper assessment and
treatments. For according Department of Health, the number of cases of PTSD has become
prevalent from the year 2013 until 2020. Yet, based on several observations, there is no firm
actions which addressed in these kind of issues or problems. That is why people are raising their
awareness and using myriads of platforms such as social media, to give importance and
understand the concept of mental health.
 HYPOTHESIS
The moderate increasing of cases of PTSD in the Philippines suggests that individuals are
highly exposed to terrifying events, and other risk factors. For trauma exposure is the one that
contributes to the fuel of PTSD. The possible primary causes that contribute to the triggering
button of the individuals are: Experiencing of excessive stress, experienced a traumatizing event,
and witnessed a terrifying and horrible encounter.
Thus, it may be inevitable but a proper treatment and a well-action solution could be the
best way to cure the people who have experienced PTSD. If there could be a proper monitor and
guidance among individuals, the rate of the patients would decrease.
SOLUTION
PTSD is a mental health condition that requires treatment, for patients are responding
normal reactions in abnormal events. Thus, these are the following solutions that can be a
solution in addressing the issue:

TAKE
SEEK MEDICAL MEDICATION
ASSISTANCE AND FOLLOW
PRESCIRPTIONS ABLE TO
INDIVIDUALS OVERCOME
EXPERIENCING PTSD AND
PARTICIPATE
FIND REFUGE AND CONTROL
IN AN ANTI-
JOIN TO A SIMILAR ONESELF
STRESS OR
CLIQ WHO ARE ALSO ENJOYABLE
EXPERIENCING PTSD ACTIVITIES IN
A CLIQ

RECOMMENDATION
One of the possible ways in addressing the issue is the assistance of the Department of
Health (DOH). Mental health conditions require high assistance and guidance, and it shouldn’t
be neglected nor trivialized. PTSD is not curable due to the traumatizing experiences may still
trigger however, the best way in coping it up is to engage with recreational activities, not
drinking alcohol or drugs, and most importantly, the individual must seek self-worth and
optimism.
 REFERENCE
Bhandari, S. (2020). What are the Treatments for PTSD?. WebMD. Retrieved from:
shorturl.at/irwHQ
Boyle G. J. & Ramos, S. (2019). Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among Filipino boys.
PMC. Retrieved from: shorturl.at/hvGR1
Fajarito, C. D. C. (2017) Understanding Combat – Related PTSD Symptom Expression through
Index trauma and Military Culture. Military Medicine, 182 (5), e1665e1671
Mayo Clinic (2019) Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Retrieved from: shorturl.at/cBDYZ
National Institute of Mental Health (2020). Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Retrieved from:
shorturl.at/xz468
Smith, M. W. (2020). Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). WebMD. Retrieved from:
Reyes, T. M. (2020) What is post-traumatic stress disorder. Phil Star Global. Retrieved from:
shorturl.at/Kjks1