Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is essentially as the name describes.
It is a "stress (anxiety)" disorder that develops as a consequence of some trauma. It is causally related to the trauma. Get it? It is a post-trauma disorder that primarily involves stress and anxiety.
The diagnostic criterion for PTSD requires that the patient had experienced some trauma. That is, he/she must have experienced something that is outside of the range of usual human experience.
In other words, they must have been exposed to something pretty intense. It can result from any number of traumatic incidents. These include kidnapping, serious accidents, natural disasters, violent attacks such as a mugging, rape, or torture, or being held captive. Yet, that which is traumatic to one person may not be traumatic to another person, and vice versa. It is in the "eye of the beholder."
The traumatic event that is associated with the onset of 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. It could be something that threatened the patient's "physical integrity." Nevertheless, some people are "traumatized" after experiencing or witnessing something pretty horrible. The traumatic incident is associated with feelings of fear, helplessness and horror.
Often, people with PTSD have persistent frightening thoughts and memories of their trauma. They "reexperience" the trauma.
Flashbacks: The distressing and intrusive images or "reexperiences" of a trauma, can get triggered by a number of things which remind the person of his/her trauma. During the flashback, the person may:
Flashbacks may last for a few seconds or up to several days (although rare).
PTSD is the disorder that has historically been associated with the experiences of battle veterans. It has been referred to as shell shock or battle fatigue. PTSD sufferers will relive their traumas in the form of nightmares and disturbing thoughts or recollections.
PTSD sufferers may also experience sleep problems, depression, or being easily startled. They may lose interest in things they used to enjoy and they may have trouble feeling affectionate. They may actually start to feel a sense of "numbness." They might also feel less close to people, feeling detached from others. They may experience a loss of "loving feelings."
Irritability, increased aggressiveness and increased vigilance of one's surroundings are also common among PTSD sufferers. Seeing things that remind them of the incident may be very distressing, which could lead them to avoid certain places or situations that bring back those memories. Anniversaries of the event are often very difficult.
Onset PTSD can occur at any age, including childhood.
Onset Not every person who experiences a trauma develops PTSD. PTSD symptoms typically first appear within 3 months of the trauma. However, some patients experience their first symptoms of PTSD years after their trauma. The course of PTSD can also vary from patient to patient. Some patients will get better by themselves, while others require treatment. Some recover in a few months, but others may take longer. In order to be diagnosed, the symptoms of PTSD must be present for at least one month. If the symptoms exist for less than one month, the patient is diagnosed as suffering from an "Acute Stress Disorder."
Associated Symptoms Depression, substance abuse, or anxiety may accompany PTSD. Patients may be easily irritated or have violent outbursts. Unfortunately, the frustration and irritability often experienced and expressed by PTSD sufferers my interfere with their ability to fully express their "anxieties." As a result, the condition may go undiagnosed.
In severe cases of PTSD, the patient may be unable to work or even socialize because of their symptoms.
Prevalence PTSD occurs in approximately 4% of the population.
Treatment for PTSD includes: