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Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Resources for Recovery . . . .
What is PTSD?
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PSTD) is
a medical condition believed to be caused by the
reaction of the brain psychologically
exposed to an extreme traumatic situation or event involving an
actual or threatened death or serious injury, or
witnessing such an event, or hearing about such an event
in regard to a family member.
Traumatic events that may cause PTSD symptoms to develop
include violent assault, sexual assault, kidnapping, experiencing a
disaster, serious car accidents, being a hostage, prisoner of war or
concentration camp victim or getting a diagnosis of a life-threatening
illness. PTSD can occur at any age, from childhood to old age and
traumatic stress can be cumulative over a lifetime. Responses to trauma
include feelings of intense fear, helplessness, and/or horror.
Warning Signs of Trauma Related
Stress
Individuals who have experienced a traumatic event
oftentimes suffer psychological stress related to the incident. In most
instances, these are normal reactions to abnormal situations.
Individuals who feel they are unable to regain control of their lives,
or who experience the following symptoms for more than a month, should
consider seeking outside professional mental health assistance.
Symptoms to watch
out for:
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Recurring thoughts or nightmares about the event.
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Having trouble sleeping or changes in appetite.
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Experiencing anxiety and fear, especially when
exposed to events or situations reminiscent of the trauma.
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Being on edge, being easily startled or becoming
overly alert.
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Feeling depressed, sad and having low energy.
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Experiencing memory problems including difficulty
in remembering aspects of the trauma.
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Feeling "scattered" and unable to focus on work or
daily activities.
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Having difficulty making decisions.
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Feeling irritable, easily agitated, or angry and
resentful.
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Feeling emotionally "numb," withdrawn, disconnected
or different from others.
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Spontaneously crying, feeling a sense of despair
and hopelessness.
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Feeling extremely protective of, or fearful for,
the safety of loved ones.
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Not being able to face certain aspects of the
trauma, and avoiding activities, places, or even people that remind
you of the event.
by
Harold Cohen, Ph.D.
April 8, 2006
Myth:
PTSD is only seen in people with “weak characters” who are
unable to cope with difficult situations in the same way that most of
us do.
Fact: PTSD is a human response
to markedly abnormal situations, and it involves specific chemical
changes in the brain that occur in response to a person experiencing a
traumatic event. Many of the symptoms of PTSD seem to be a direct
result of such brain changes.
Myth: All of us have been through frightening experiences and have at
least one symptom of PTSD as a result of that experience.
Fact: Although memories of
frightening experiences may be similar to symptoms of PTSD (e.g.,
vivid memories), most persons do not have the severity of symptoms or
impairment associated with PTSD. The specific brain-based responses
seen in PTSD differ from those seen in normal anxiety. Similarly, the
experiences of normal anxiety and of PTSD are markedly different.
Myth: Stress reactions to trauma exist, but these should not be
considered as a serious medical problem.
Fact: PTSD is a medical
disorder that can sometimes cause serious disability. Persons with
PTSD often also have co-occurring mood, anxiety, and substance-related
disorders. In addition, these people may have significant difficulty
at their job, in their personal relationships, or other social
interactions.
Resource Links
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Disclaimer:
The webpage above is NOT intended to provide, NOR
should it be used for, medical diagnosis or emergency care. It
contains general reference information and should not be
used as a substitute for consulting with your physician or
other healthcare professional. |
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