Many of us will experience some kind of trauma during our lifetime.

絕大多數人在一生中都會經歷某種創傷。

Sometimes, we escape with no long-term effects.

有時，我們能夠徹底地走出傷痛。

But for millions of us, those experiences linger, causing symptoms like flashbacks, nightmares, and negative thoughts that interfere with everyday life.

但我們之中，有幾百萬人仍在這些經歷中徘徊，造成閃回、 惡夢、干擾生活的負面想法等症狀。

This phenomenon called post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, isn't a personal failing.

此症狀稱作創傷後壓力症候群，也就是PTSD，它並非是個人的墮落失敗。

Rather, it's a treatable malfunction of certain biological mechanisms that allow us to cope with dangerous experiences.

而是一種可治療的人體生理機制上的故障，而這種機制能使我們處理那些危險的經歷。

To understand PTSD, we first need to understand how the brain processes a wide range of ordeals,

要了解 PTSD，我們首先要知道大腦如何處理諸多磨難，

including the death of a loved one, domestic violence, injury or illness, abuse, rape, war, car accidents, and natural disasters.

包括深愛之人死去、家暴、 受傷、疾病、 虐待、 強暴、 戰爭、 車禍、和自然災害 。

These events can bring on feelings of danger and helplessness, which activate the brain's alarm system, known as the "fight-flight-freeze" response.

這些事件會帶來危機感和無助感，進而刺激大腦的警報系統，也就是「戰鬥或逃跑」反應。

When this alarm sounds, the hypothalamic, pituitary, and adrenal systems⏤known as the HPA axis⏤work together to send signals to the autonomic nervous system.

當這個警報響起，下丘腦、腦垂體和腎上腺系統 (統稱為 HPA 軸) 就會開始運作，並發送信號至自主神經系統。

That's the network that communicates with adrenal glands and internal organs to help regulate functions like heart rate, digestion, and respiration.

也就是腎上腺與內臟間的網絡，用以調節各種身體機能，如心率、消化和呼吸。

These signals start a chemical cascade that floods the body with several different stress hormones, causing physiological changes that prepare the body to defend itself.

這些信號會使體內代謝湧現，讓各種不同的壓力荷爾蒙溢滿全身，帶來生理上的改變，好讓身體做好防衛準備。

Our heart rate speeds up, breathing quickens, and muscles tense.

我們的心率上升、呼吸加快、肌肉收縮。

Even after a crisis is over, escalated levels of stress hormones may last for days, contributing to jittery feelings, nightmares, and other symptoms.

即使危機已過，逐步上升的壓力荷爾蒙仍可能維持數天，導致緊張不安、 惡夢及其他症狀。

For most people, these experiences disappear within a few days to two weeks as their hormone levels stabilize.

對於大多數人，隨著他們的荷爾蒙指數回歸平衡，這些經歷會在數天至兩週內消失。

But a small percentage of those who experience trauma have persistent problems, sometimes vanishing temporarily only to resurface months later.

但少部分經歷創傷的人仍會出現持續性問題，有時問題會暫時消失，但幾個月後又會浮出水面。

We don't completely understand what's happening in the brain.

我們還不能完全了解大腦到底發生了什麼。

But one theory is that the stress hormone cortisol may be continuously activating the "fight-flight-freeze" response while reducing overall brain functioning, leading to a number of negative symptoms.

但有個理論說明，患者的壓力荷爾蒙皮質醇可能會持續激發「戰鬥或逃跑反應」，使大腦整體功能下降，並帶來諸多負面症狀。

These symptoms often fall into four categories:

這些症狀通常分為四類：

Intrusive thoughts like dreams and flashbacks.

侵入性想法，如夢境和閃回。

Avoiding reminders of the trauma.

避開令人聯想到創傷的事物。

Negative thoughts and feelings like fear, anger, and guilt.

負面想法和如恐懼、怒氣和愧疚感等的情緒。

And reactive symptoms like irritability and difficulty sleeping.

以及反應性症狀，如易怒和睡眠困難。

Not everyone has all these symptoms or experiences them to the same extent and intensity.

並非所有人都有這些症狀，也不一定都經歷同樣的程度或強度。

When problems last more than a month, PTSD is often diagnosed.

當問題持續超過一個月，通常就會被診斷為 PTSD。

Genetics, ongoing overwhelming stress, and many risk factors, like pre-existing mental illnesses or lack of emotional support, likely play a role in determining who will experience PTSD.

遺傳、持續性的巨大壓力和許多風險因子，比如已有的心理疾病或是缺乏心理支持，都是患上PTSD的因素之一。

But the underlying cause is still a medical mystery.

但是 PTSD 的真正成因在醫學上仍是一團謎。

A major challenge of coping with PTSD is sensitivity to triggers⏤physical and emotional stimuli that the brain associates with the original trauma.

患者處理PTSD的一個巨大挑戰是對於觸發點（促使大腦聯想到創傷的生理及心裡刺激）的敏感度。

These can be everyday sensations that aren't inherently dangerous but prompt powerful physical and emotional reactions.

這些可能是不具危脅性的日常感知，但卻會激發患者強烈的生理和情緒反應。

For example, the smell of a campfire could evoke the memory of being trapped in a burning house.

舉例來說，營火的氣味可能會喚起患者被困在火場裡的回憶。

For someone with PTSD, that memory activates the same neurochemical cascade as the original event.

對於有 PTSD 的人而言，那段記憶會激發和創傷當下一樣的神經化學物質的傾瀉。

That then stirs up the same feelings of panic and helplessness as if they're experiencing the trauma all over again.

導致同樣的恐懼和無助感，就像再次經歷創傷一般。

Trying to avoid these triggers which are sometimes unpredictable can lead to isolation.

觸發點有時是難以預測的，而試圖避開這些觸發點可能導致患者進入自我孤立狀態。

That can leave people feeling invalidated, ignored, or misunderstood, like a pause button has been pushed on their lives while the rest of the world continues around them.

那會使人感到無力、被忽視或誤解，就像全世界唯獨他們的生命被按下了暫停鍵一般。

But there are options.

但還是有其他選擇的。

If you think you might be suffering from PTSD, the first step is an evaluation with a mental health professional who can direct you towards the many resources available.

如果認為自己可能患上了 PTSD，請先尋求心理專家進行評估，他們能指引你獲得許多可用資源。

Psychotherapy can be very effective for PTSD, helping patients better understand their triggers.

心理治療能有效改善 PTSD 病人病況，幫助病患更了解自己的創傷觸發點。

And certain medications can make symptoms more manageable, as can self-care practices like mindfulness and regular exercise.

特定藥物能使症狀更易於掌控，而自我康復練習，如冥想或規律運動也有幫助。

What if you notice signs of PTSD in a friend or family member?

如果發現朋友或家人有 PTSD 的徵兆該怎麼做？

Social support, acceptance, and empathy are key to helping in recovery.

社會支持、包容及同理心都是幫助復原的關鍵。

Let them know you believe their account of what they're experiencing and that you don't blame them for their reactions.

讓他們知道，你相信他們所正在描述的經歷，並且不會因他們的反應而責怪他們。

If they're open to it, encourage them to seek evaluation and treatment.

如果他們願意接受，鼓勵他們尋求評估及治療。

PTSD has been called "the hidden wound" because it comes without outward physical signs.

PTSD 也被稱為「隱藏傷口」，因為它不具有外顯生理跡象。

But even if it's an invisible disorder, it doesn't have to be a silent one.

但即便此病症不易察覺，也不代表它該被漠視。

Mental health conditions impact millions of people around the world, yet are often misunderstood.

全球數百萬人都受到心理健康狀況影響，但常常仍飽受誤解。

Check out this playlist to get informed.

查看此播放清單以獲取相關資訊。