DEFINITION
Post – traumatic stress disorder is a very serious anxiety disorder which is a result of psychologically traumatizing experiences.
CAUSES
The major causes of PTSD are traumatizing psychological events such as assaults, combats, natural disasters and terrorist attacks. Two types of events are one-time events and reoccurring events. For normal people, when faced with danger, the fear they encountered will trigger the “flight-or-fight” response which serves the purpose to prepare the body to fight against the threats. But when the person is suffering from PTSD, this automatic reaction is changed. They may still feel strong negative emotions even when no longer in danger.
When experiencing traumatizing experiences, different people will have different reactions. Genetics alone will not be the major deciding factor. Different reactions will arise even in the same family. A significant portion of people will not develop PTSD even after experiencing some trauma in their lives. Another factor to consider is the intensity of the trauma. Two examples of experiences that pose a higher risk of developing PTSD are deaths of loved ones and sexual violence. Researches have shown that for children, there is a very high likelihood that they will continue to suffer long after the trauma is over.
SYMPTOMS
- Re-experiencing symptoms:
- Intense distress
- Flashbacks or nightmares
- Recurrent memories or images related to the events
- Physical reactions
- Avoidance symptoms:
- Avoidance of events or objects that remind the person of the trauma
- Loss of interests in activities
- Emotional numbness
- Inability to recall part of the trauma
- Feelings of detachment from others
- Hyperarousal symptoms:
- Inability to concentrate
- Insomnia
- Increased vigilance
- Irritability
- Exaggerated startle response
TREATMENTS
After experiencing the traumatizing experiences, it is essential for the patients to receive timely proper treatments. Individual coping strategies yielding only short-term relief should be avoided. Individual’s stage of recovery should be also taken into consideration when considering treatment options.
Early Identification of the disorder is extremely important for the timely treatments of the individuals. In the immediate aftermath of a traumatic event, support and compassion are critical. Doctors should encourage the patients to connect with others or seek assistance in dealing with trauma.
There are several psychotherapies that are effective in treating PTSD. They are Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocess (EMDR), and Group Therapy. A new psychotherapy called the dream revision therapy (Imagery Rehearsal Therapy) is still in its researching phase.
Medications are also an important element in the effective treatments of PTSD. They are best used in combination with psychotherapies. Some common medications used to treat PTSD are several selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), beta-blockers, mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, and medications to help with sleep restoration.
REFERENCES
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Posttraumatic_stress_disorder#Psychological_trauma
http://keltymentalhealth.ca/mental-health/disorders/post-traumatic-stress-disorder#view-tabs-2