Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is the psychological consequence of exposure to severe trauma, and is believed to be in the family of General Anxiety Disorders. Sometimes referred to as “shell shock,” it has often been associated with exposure to war or combat. According to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, however, 5% of all men and 10% of all women endure PTSD at least once in their life. It can come after exposure to war, physical/emotional or sexual abuse stemming from the childhood, rape, domestic violence, car accidents, natural catastrophe, or even sudden death of a loved one. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder can be difficult to diagnose not because of its symptoms, but rather the fact that is can surface many years after the violence has occurred. A simple movement or sound can often trigger the disorder to appearance. Often the anniversary of a particular event can trigger a reaction, which can range from mild depression for a couple of days to full onset of PTSD. Symptoms include, but are not limited to restlessness, insomnia, emotional detachment, nightmares, aggressiveness, depression, and dissociation. Often children with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder will re-enact aspects of the trauma in their play. A person with underlying psychological disorders will often experience an amplification of their other symptoms. Often times a child with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder will appear to be “acting out” rather than traumatized. Diagnosis and treatment of this disorder is imperative. If left untreated the patient will suffer great loss of quality of life. Thirty percent of all people who have PTSD will develop a chronic form. It has been determined that it is the cause of many divorces and suicides among soldiers returning from war. Self-treatment of the disorder has been associated with addiction to drugs and alcohol. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder treatment is generally a combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy although group therapy is high on the list of treatments as well. Considerably, the knowledge that someone else shares the symptoms and feelings has helped many people with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. There are four major organizations available to the public for help with PTSD. The following websites provide services including articles, references, web-links, courses, and group options. These Groups are The Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma, The National Center for PTSD, Gift from Within, and The National Center for Victims of Crime. These are not the only places to seek help, but they are definitely a good place to start. Post-Traumatic Stress can be difficult to diagnose not just because of its symptoms, but rather the fact that it can surface many years after the violence has occurred. A simple movement or sound can often trigger the disorder to appear. Often the anniversary of a particular event can trigger a reaction, which can range from mild depression for a couple of days to full onset of PTSD. Symptoms include, but are not limited to restlessness, insomnia, emotional detachment, nightmares, aggressiveness, depression, and dissociation. Often children with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder will re-enact aspects of the trauma during their play. A person with underlying psychological disorders will often experience an amplification of other symptoms. Often times a child with Post-Traumatic Stress will appear to be “acting out” rather than traumatized. Diagnosis and treatment of post traumatic stress can be imperative. If left untreated the patient will suffer a great loss in quality of life. Thirty percent of all people who have PTS will develop a chronic form of the illness. It has been determined that it is the cause of many divorces and suicides among soldiers returning from war. Self-medicating of the disorder has been associated with addiction to drugs and alcohol. Post-Traumatic Stress treatment is generally a combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy although group therapy is high on the list of treatments as well. Considerably, the knowledge that someone else shares the symptoms and feelings has helped many people with Post-Traumatic Stress. There are four major organizations available to the public for help with PTSD. The following websites provide services including articles, references, web-links, courses, and group options. These Groups are The Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma, The National Center for PTSD, Gift from Within, and The National Center for Victims of Crime. These are not the only places to seek help, but they are definitely a good place to start. Relieve Stress.