PTSD

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What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is anxiety that results from previous trauma such as military combat, rape, hostage situations, or a serious accident. PTSD often leads to flashbacks and behavioral changes in order to avoid certain stimuli.

What Is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder? What Is PTSD? What Causes PTSD?

PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) is triggered by a traumatic event - it is a kind of anxiety. The sufferer of PTSD may have experienced or seen an event that caused extreme fear, shock and/or a feeling of helplessness. Most of us experience a brief period of difficulty adjusting and coping with traumatic events. However, we gradually get better with time and healthy coping methods. On the other hand, there are times when symptoms get worse and may last for several months, or years. This study explains how PTSD can surface two years after a traumatic event. Another study found that one in eight Lower Manhattan residents likely had PTSD two to three years after the 9/11 attacks.

The sufferer's life may be completely disrupted - in such cases the person suffers from PSTD. To prevent PTSD from becoming a long-term illness it is crucial that the sufferer receive treatment as soon as possible.

Military service members returning from Iraq and Afghanistan are likely to experience posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol use disorders simultaneously, a study found.

According to Medilexicon's medical dictionary, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is "1. Development of characteristic long-term symptoms following a psychologically traumatic event that is generally outside the range of usual human experience; symptoms include persistently re-experiencing the event and attempting to avoid stimuli reminiscent of the trauma, numbed responsiveness to environmental stimuli, a variety of autonomic and cognitive dysfunctions, and dysphoria. 2. A DSM diagnosis that is established when the specified criteria are met." (DSM = an abbreviation for the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders).

A person can suffer from PTSD after experiencing or witnessing the following events:

• Military confrontations

• Natural disasters

• Serious accidents

• Terrorist attacks

• Violent deaths

• Rape

• Personal assaults

• Any situation which triggers fear, shock, horror, and/or helplessness

Any of us can suffer from PTSD, given the right circumstances. It is estimated that approximately 5% of men and 10% of women suffer from PTSD at some point in their lives. PTSD can occur at any age. According to the NHS (National Health Service, UK), about 40% of sufferers developed PTSD after a loved one (or somebody very close) died suddenly. Typically, a person with PTSD relives the horrific event through nightmares and has flashbacks as well; there may be problems with concentration and sleeping, as well as feelings of isolation and detachment from life. Symptoms can reach such a point that the sufferer's ability to live daily life is seriously undermined.

What are the symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?

The majority of people who are exposed to a traumatic event will experience the symptoms listed below. They will usually taper off and eventually disappear within a few days or weeks. For some people, the symptoms may persist, and even become worse over time:

• Nightmares

• Frightening thoughts

• Sweating and shaking

• Refusal to discuss the event

• Avoiding things that remind the person of the event

• Feeling detached and estranged from others

• Feeling emotionally and mentally numbed

• Unable to remember some aspects of the event

• Reduced interest in life

• Flight/fight syndrome

• Difficulties concentrating

• Insomnia (problems either falling asleep, or waking and then not being able to get back to sleep)

• Moodiness

• Irritability

• Outburst of anger

• Over-alertness to possible danger

• Sensations that the event is recurring

• Feelings of guilt

• Long-term behavioral traits

• Over-consumption of alcohol

• Drug dependency

• Relationship breakdowns

• Phobias

• Anxiety disorders

• Severe depression

• Headaches

• Stomach problems

• Dizziness

• Chest pain

• Body aches and pains

• Weaker immune system

• Problems at work

Disclaimer: Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a health care professional.