"Now I'm alone. I just sit in my room alone, not talking with my wife, my son. I just like to be alone in my house," says the sole survivor of the Air India crash that occurred on June 12 in Ahmedabad.
In an interview with the BBC, Viswash Kumar Ramesh opened up about the crash, how he managed to escape and the struggles of leading a life after the crash.
As per his advisers, since returning to his home in Leicester, Ramesh has struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and has been unable to speak to his wife and four-year-old son.
"I'm not talking to anyone else. I do not like to talk with anyone else. I can't talk about much. I'm thinking all night, I'm suffering mentally. Every day is painful for the whole family," he said.
What is post-traumatic stress disorder?
It is a mental health condition that is triggered after a stressful event. This could affect people who either witness it or are a part of it.
According to Mayo Clinic, most people who go through traumatic events may have a hard time adjusting and coping for a short time. But with time and by taking good care of themselves, they usually get better. If the symptoms get worse, last for months or years, and affect their ability to function daily, they may have PTSD.
Stress responses like the following are experienced by people who have PTSD, as per the Cleveland Clinic:
Anxiety, depressed mood, or feelings of guilt or shame.
Having flashbacks or nightmares.
Avoiding situations, places and activities related to the traumatic event
How to prevent PTSD?
After going through a traumatic event, people might suffer PTSD-like symptoms like fear, anxiety, anger or depression. Experts believe getting timely help and support can reduce the stress leading to PTSD or even assist in getting out of it.
For more information, consult an expert.