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Post Traumatic Stress
Syndrome
Post-traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD) is a debilitating condition that can
develop following a terrifying event. Often,
people with PTSD have persistent frightening
thoughts and memories of their ordeal and feel
emotionally numb, especially with people they were
once close to. PTSD was first brought to public
attention by war veterans, but it can result from
any number of traumatic incidents. These include
violent attacks such as mugging, rape or torture;
being kidnapped or held captive; child abuse;
serious accidents such as car or train wrecks; and
natural disasters such as floods or earthquakes.
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 massive death and
destruction after a building is bombed or a plane
crashes.
Symptoms
Whatever the source of the
problem, some people with PTSD repeatedly relive
the trauma in the form of nightmares and
disturbing recollections during the day. They may
also experience other sleep problems, feel
detached or numb, or be easily startled. They may
lose interest in things they used to enjoy and
have trouble feeling affectionate. They may feel
irritable, more aggressive than before, or even
violent. Things that remind them of the trauma may
be very distressing, which could lead them to
avoid certain places or situations that bring back
those memories. Anniversaries of the traumatic
event are often very difficult.
Who it
effects
PTSD affects about 5.2 million
adult Americans. Women are
more likely than men to develop PTSD. It can occur
at any age, including childhood, and there is some
evidence that susceptibility to PTSD may run in
families. The disorder is
often accompanied by depression, substance abuse,
or one or more other anxiety disorders. In severe
cases, the person may have trouble working or
socializing. In general, the symptoms seem to be
worse if the event that triggered them was
deliberately initiated by a person-such as a rape
or kidnapping.
How it
affects
Ordinary events can serve as
reminders of the trauma and trigger flashbacks or
intrusive images. A person having a flashback,
which can come in the form of images, sounds,
smells, or feelings, may lose touch with reality
and believe that the traumatic event is happening
all over again.
Length of
Symptoms
Not every traumatized person
gets full-blown PTSD, or experiences PTSD at all.
PTSD is diagnosed only if the symptoms last more
than a month. In those who do develop PTSD,
symptoms usually begin within 3 months of the
trauma, and the course of the illness varies. Some
people recover within 6 months, others have
symptoms that last much longer. In some cases, the
condition may be chronic. Occasionally, the
illness doesn't show up until years after the
traumatic event.
People with PTSD can be helped
by medications and carefully targeted
psychotherapy.
If you are suffering from PTSD,
you too, can get support from this website, but I
encourage you to get professional help if you
haven't already.
Find the light that I have.
Resources
National Center
for PTSD // National Center for Post-Traumatic
Stress Disorder
PTSD Alliance
Gift From
Within-PTSD Support Site
National Institute of Mental
Health's Anxiety Hotline-1-888-826-9438 |
