Resources Mental Health Anxiety Conditions Post Traumatic Stress PTSD: What is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder?
What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?
According to the National Cancer Institute, “As many as one third of people who experience an extremely upsetting event develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).” The American Psychiatric Association categorizes PTSD as an anxiety condition (DSM-IV). PTSD is thought to occur when the body’s natural coping defenses are overwhelmed by psychological trauma.
What causes PTSD?
When a person is exposed to a traumatic or life threatening event whereupon they perceive that their life or the life of another is in imminent danger, there is a possibility of developing PTSD. Events that overwhelm the person such as natural disasters (earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, tornados, flooding); acts of war (terrorist attacks, 9/11, engaging in combat); acts of violence (rape, sexual assault, domestic violence, abuse, murder); disease (cancer, lymphoma, bone marrow transplant, medical complications) may trigger the symptoms of PTSD especially if the person feels helpless to protect themselves or others, or feels intense fear or terror.
What are the symptoms of PTSD?A person with PTSD may experience the following symptoms:
CHRONIC RE-EXPERIENCING
- Reoccurring and persistent thoughts and worry about the traumatic event
- Upsetting nightmares or dreams
- -experiencing the event in various ways, such as having a flashback or intrusive memory
- Feeling overwhelmed by any external or internal information that reminds a person of the event
- Reacting to triggers which are associated with the traumatic event
- Trying not to think about, or feel any emotions associated with the trauma
- Avoiding people, places or situations that serve as reminders
- Inability to recall the event, or stimuli associated with the situation
- Avoiding activities that once might have been fulfilling
- Feeling alone or apart from others
- General feeling that ‘life is short’
- Disrupted sleep patterns
- Giving way to feelings of anger and rage
- Problems concentrating and maintaining focus
- Responding to situations with hyper -vigilance
- Easily startled
Even though a person may be at risk for developing PTSD, protective factors such as helpfulness may guard against the development of PTSD even after exposure to a traumatic event. What follows are some of the factors which serve as protective factors
- Biological: Toughness, genetic and personality traits
- Psychological: Use of humor, motivation, being adaptive and resilient
- Emotional well being: Optimistic beliefs and attitudes, feelings of hope, life satisfaction
- Social support: Feeling connected and validated by others
- Environmental: Positive life events and socioeconomic status
- Spirituality
What are the risk factors for PTSD?
A higher incidence of PTSD may be found in persons with- Previous traumas
- Repeated exposure to trauma
- Lack of support from friends, family, co-workers or community members
- Higher levels of generalized stress
- Less formal education
- Low socioeconomic status
How is PTSD treated?
There are numerous intervention techniques available to assist persons with PTSD in managing and reducing the symptoms associated with PTSD. One of the most effective techniques according to the Institute of Medicine for treating PTSD is exposure therapy. Other techniques which are currently being used to treat PTSD include: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). In addition to psychological first aid, various relaxation therapies and stress management interventions are effective in helping the body regulate the stress response system.How does PTSD affect those around me?
Recently, numerous studies have shown that secondary traumatic stress may develop in children and partners of loved ones with PTSD.
Related Information:
· PTSD in Children and AdolescentsLast Updated (Thursday, 26 June 2008 13:26)