POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS
DISORDER
Post-traumatic stress
disorder (PTSD) is a severe anxiety reaction to a traumatic event that
occurs outside the range of usual human experience.
Post-traumatic stress
disorder can occur as an acute disorder soon after the trauma, or have a
delayed onset in which the symptoms occur more than 6 months after the
trauma. Sometimes the onset of PTSD symptoms might occur many years after
the traumatic event.
War veterans first brought
PTSD, once referred to as shell shock or battle fatigue, to public
attention, but it can result from any number of traumatic incidents. These
include kidnapping, serious accidents such as car or train wrecks, natural
disasters such as floods or earthquakes, violent attacks such as mugging,
rape, or torture, or being held captive. Adults who experienced physical or
sexual abuse in childhood might have PTSD. The event that triggers PTSD may
be something that threatened the person’s life or the life of someone close
to him or her. Or it could be something witnessed, such as mass destruction
after a plane crash.
Symptoms of PTSD include:
-
Recurrent distressing
memories of the event
-
Recurrent nightmares of
the event
-
Flashbacks ( sensations
as if the traumatic episode were happening in the present)
-
Marked mental distress
in reaction to internal or external cues that symbolize or resemble some
part or the event
-
Increased startle
response
-
Excessive vigilance
-
Poor concentration
-
Avoidance of
activities, people or places that could provoke recollections of the
trauma
-
Feelings of estrangement
or detachment
-
Irritability or
outbursts of anger
-
Difficulty concentrating
Everyone who experiences
trauma will not require treatment. Some recover with the help of family
and friends. But many do need professional treatment to recover from the
psychological damage that can result from experiencing, witnessing, or
participating in an overwhelming traumatic event. Today mental health
professionals have good success in treating the very real and painful
effects of PTSD.
Other Sources of Information:
Anxiety Disorders Association of America, Inc.
11900 Parklawn Drive,
Suite 100
Rockville, MD 20852-2624
301-232-9350
http://www.adaa.org/
International Society for
Traumatic Stress Studies
60 Revere Drive, Suite 500
Northbrook, IL. 60062
847-480-9028
www.istss.
org
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