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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