Captain Smit Machchhar’s wife says she doesn’t want him to get Flydubai attack flashbacks: How long can PTSD symptoms last?
Smit Machchhar’s wife said the family has not asked him about the details of the stabbing because they do not want him to relive the incident or experience flashbacks
Captain Smit Machchhar, a Flydubai pilot, is recovering from severe physical injuries sustained during a terrifying cockpit attack, prompting concerns about his psychological recovery and the potential for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Trauma can significantly alter brain function, leading to an 'overactive alarm system' and other stress responses, with PTSD manifesting as flashbacks, mood shifts, and sleep disturbances
Captain Smit Machchhar, a Flydubai pilot, is recovering from severe physical injuries sustained during a terrifying cockpit attack, prompting concerns about his psychological recovery and the potential for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Trauma can significantly alter brain function, leading to an 'overactive alarm system' and other stress responses, with PTSD manifesting as flashbacks, mood shifts, and sleep disturbances
Captain Smit Machchhar, a Flydubai pilot, is recovering from severe physical injuries sustained during a terrifying cockpit attack, prompting concerns about his psychological recovery and the potential for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Trauma can significantly alter brain function, leading to an 'overactive alarm system' and other stress responses, with PTSD manifesting as flashbacks, mood shifts, and sleep disturbances
After surviving a terrifying cockpit attack aboard a Flydubai flight, Captain Smit Machchhar is now recovering from serious physical injuries that he endured during the commotion. But for his family, recovery is likely to involve more than healing wounds. Machchhar’s wife, Sonal, has spoken to the media about wanting him to recover fully and the family has not asked him about the details of the stabbing because they do not want him to relive the incident or experience flashbacks.
That concern is medically significant because flashbacks can be one of the symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
What happens to the brain after a traumatic event?
According to the Anxiety & Depression Association of America, trauma can leave a mark not just in the memories, but also in the way the body reacts to situations, which could look like:
-An overactive alarm system that starts treating everything as a potential danger
- Memory that feels unpredictable
-Tension, pain, or unexplained fatigue, signaling the body's way of holding onto the trauma
- A nervous system struggling to reset
- Brain training itself to expect the worst
What is PTSD?
PTSD stands for Post-traumatic stress disorder. As per the Cleveland Clinic, it is a mental health condition that can develop after trauma. It may cause flashbacks, mood shifts, sleep issues or avoidance.
Experiencing a life-threatening attack can trigger the body's stress response. In the days and weeks afterward, it is not unusual for a person to experience fear, anxiety, disturbed sleep, intrusive memories or nightmares.
A flashback is more than simply remembering something unpleasant. During a flashback, a person may feel as though they are reliving the traumatic event. According to experts, symptoms usually start within a month of the event and must last for more than a month to be classified as PTSD.
How long does it take to recover from PTSD?
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, the main treatments for PTSD are psychotherapy, medications, or a combination of psychotherapy and medications.
There is no fixed recovery period. The National Institute of Mental Health says that some people recover from PTSD symptoms within about six months, while others may experience symptoms for a year or longer. Recovery can depend on the severity of the trauma, the person's circumstances, support system and access to treatment.