What You Need To Know About Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-traumatic Stress Syndrome is an anxiety disorder resulting from an extremely terrifying or emotional experience, which causes extreme anxiety even after that experience is no longer present in the individual’s life.

When we think of Post-traumatic Stress Syndrome we usually think of Viet Nam Veterans or soldiers returning from war, nerve shattered, while having bad nightmares and relieving the horrors of war in their dreams. The world became familiar with this disorder when these soldiers were given the diagnosis, but the fact is the disorder probably existed since time began but was never recognized before. Further more the definition extends beyond soldiers coming home from war to any terrible situation that causes emotional stress and anxiety in this manner. It could be women experiencing rape, or battered women. It could be hurricane or tsunami victims. Perhaps the condition develops due to being wrongfully accused of a crime and losing your job over it (this happened to my friend, who was later cleared of all charges but not before he developed post-traumatic stress syndrome). The causes are anything that can have a damaging effect upon the psyche.

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder throughout time

During the American Civil War PTSD was known as Soldier’s Heart. In World War I it was known as Combat fatigue. The name of the condition during World War II was “gross stress anxiety.” It has also been known as battle fatigue and shell shock. During the Vietnam War it was also known as post-Vietnam syndrome.

Prevalence

· About 3 to 4 percent of the population will experience PSTD and it is estimated that more women than men will contract the condition.

· The disorder seems to manifest itself more in the Hispanic, Black, and Native American population than in the Caucasian population.

· About 15 percent of girls have been reported to have PSTD, and about 6 percent of boys.

Just about 100 percent of children who have witnessed a parent die, experienced sexual abuse or physical abuse later develop the disorder.

Symptoms of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

The symptoms must endure for at least one month.

· Reoccurring memories: flashbacks, and nightmares.

· Post-traumatic stress disorder sufferers experience the traumatic event over and over again. They cannot shake themselves of the experience and they relive it.

Avoidance and Phobias

· Suffers will also isolate themselves in the attempt to avoid the event. For example a woman who was raped in a certain part of town will try to avoid that part of town, even if it means losing her job, isolating herself from friends who live in the area or even refusing to leave her own home. This coping mechanism is known as avoidance.

Numbing of emotional response

· Lack of interest,

· No hope for the future,

· Distancing from other people,

· No emotional response to stimuli,

· Feeling that death is eminent.

Hyper arousal

Another symptom is called hyper arousal and occurs because of over sensitivity to normal everyday activity. For example loud noises might remind a veteran of war and trigger an episode of remembering and reliving the traumatizing experience.

Hyper arousal can also cause sleep problems,

· Poor concentration,

· Irritability,

· Memory problems,

· Hypervigilance,

· Blackouts,

Anger.

Complex Post-traumatic Stress Disorder will have more severe symptoms such as:

· Thoughts of suicide,

· Explosive anger,

· Depersonalization and dissociation,

· Continual feelings of helplessness, shame, regret,

· Continual fear of the perpetrator (e.g., the rapist).

Assessment

· Suffers of post-traumatic stress disorder are often given a double diagnosis, because sufferers can also suffer from bi-polar disorder, eating disorders, depression, substance abuse, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and other anxiety disorders.

· Doctors may use a structured Psychiatric interview to ascertain the diagnosis.

Treatment of PSTD

Medication, therapy, relaxation and coping skills are taught to help the sufferer. Diet and exercise is also recommended.

Some effects of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

· Babies born to mothers who have Post-traumatic Stress Disorder tend to be predisposed to contracting the disorder in later life.

· Women who have been sexually abused early in life have a predisposition for developing Borderline Personality Disorder.

· Teens with PSTD have a harder time to socialize and developing the interacting skills they need in life.

· People with PSTD can also have other medical conditions and personality disorders because of it.

Getting treatment is important, talking to family and friends and having a support group is equally important to help combat the affect of this crippling disorder. Do not isolate yourself get help now.