A mental health first aider and child mental health specialist, Mrs Helen Obiageli Oshikoya, has called for greater awareness, early intervention, and professional management of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and the alarming rate at which the disorder is been trivialised on social media.
Speaking in an interview with Pharmanewsonline, Oshikoya described PTSD as a mental health condition that develops following exposure to a deeply traumatic event. According to her, the disorder is often marked by recurring flashbacks, panic attacks, persistent anxiety, and difficulty functioning in daily life.
“PTSD is the reoccurrence of a traumatic event that happened in the past. Even though a person appears to be functioning, they may have flashbacks, panic attacks, and other symptoms that affect their ability to live normally,” she explained.
She emphasised that PTSD does not develop spontaneously but is “a consequence of something extremely traumatic,” such as violence, accidents, loss, or abuse. For the disorder management, she specified that PTSD cases are handled by psychiatrists, either adult or child and adolescent specialists, depending on the age of the patients.
“Sometimes, medication is required to reduce the physical symptoms such as anxiety, sweating, and panic attacks,” She added that effective management involves consistent therapy sessions, adherence to prescribed medication, and close monitoring by mental health professionals. “Beyond medication, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is key. It allows the individual to talk about the event and learn how to live a normal life even though the trauma remains part of their experience.” She said
Commenting on the growing trend of people on social media claiming to have PTSD over trivial matters, she cautioned against self-diagnosis and misuse of mental health terminology. “PTSD is not something you declare because you didn’t get enough likes on social media,” she stated. “It requires a real, documented traumatic experience. Only a qualified psychiatrist can diagnose it.”
She stressed that genuine PTSD symptoms are often not visible to others and that those affected may not openly admit what they are going through. This makes it important for relatives and community members to observe behavioural changes and encourage professional evaluation.
The warning signs of PTSD include persistent anxiety, flashbacks, frequent crying, poor sleep, and inability to function effectively. “Those are the symptoms that should make someone seek medical help,” she explained. “A psychiatrist is the only one who can confirm a diagnosis after proper evaluation.”
She also clarified that PTSD does not have “stages” in the way cancers do. “You can’t say, ‘I have PTSD level 4.’ It doesn’t work that way. There is a pyramid of investigation and care, and only a hospital evaluation can determine the extent and required intervention,” she said.
Oshikoya urged individuals to pay attention to their psychological wellbeing and seek professional help when they notice emotional distress or prolonged anxiety. “When you’re not feeling psychologically fine, go to the hospital. Through medical attention, proper diagnosis, medication, and rehabilitation can be provided,” she advised.
She concluded by emphasising PTSD requires empathy, structured care, and collaboration among families, communities, and healthcare professionals to ensure timely intervention and recovery.
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