Symptoms
Post-traumatic stress disorder refers to a psychiatric disorder that can occur in individuals who have experienced a traumatic event. It is characterized by several symptoms. The symptoms include reliving the traumatic event, avoiding situations related to the traumatic event, feeling numb, and experiencing hyper-arousal.
Reliving the Traumatic Event
For people with PTSD, the memories of the traumatic event can come back, accompanied by the horror and fear that was experienced when the event took place ( Shalev et al., 2017). As such, the person feels the same way he or she felt when the traumatic event took place. Additionally, one can have nightmares. Such episodes can be overwhelming, particularly if the traumatic event was horrific.
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Avoiding Situations Related to the Traumatic Event
People with PTSD usually avoid people or situations that trigger memories of the traumatic event ( Steenkamp et al., 2013). For instance, meeting a person that was present when the event took place can bring the memories of the event. Because the traumatic event was unpleasant, a person will always choose to avoid people that remind them about the event.
Feeling Numb
People suffering from PTSD often find it hard to express their feelings. For instance, one may start avoiding family members and friends. This implies that PTSD is accompanied by unusual behavior changes.
Experiencing Hyper-Arousal
People with PTSD often feel jittery and on the lookout for danger. One can suddenly become angry or irritable. A loud noise can be enough to prompt such a person to flee.
Causes of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Post traumatic disorder can be caused by several events. The events could be combat exposure, child abuse, sexual or physical assault, terrorist attack, natural disaster, or a serious accident.
Combat Exposure
The military is a dangerous and stressful occupation that exposes individual to traumatic situations and experiences. Soldiers who take part in war activities are more likely to develop PTSD ( Stern, 2014) . This is because such activities are associated with numerous stressors and adversities.
Child Abuse
Children who experience abuse at a younger age are more likely to develop PTSD. The abuse could be physical or sexual. The horrific childhood experiences could lead to the psychiatric disorder.
Sexual or Physical Assault
A horrific event like a sexual or physical assault can cause post traumatic stress disorder. The survivors of such horrific events can face extremely difficult and painful emotions and experiences. The emotional and psychological reactions can result in PTSD.
Terrorist Attack
Terrorist attacks are serious traumatic events that result in psychiatric disorders. The physical and emotional reactions that follow terrorist attacks can b overwhelming to the survivors.
Natural Disaster
Natural disasters can cause post traumatic stress disorder. Children are at a higher risk of developing post traumatic stress disorder. This is because children lack the capacity to process traumatic events on their own.
Serious Accident
Serious accidents lead to serious physical and psychological problems. People involved in serious accidents are at a higher risk of developing post traumatic stress disorders.
Prevalence Rates in the United States
A significant proportion of Americans has had a trauma. While 60 percent of men have had at least one traumatic event, 50 percent of American women have (National Center for PTSD). Of those who have had a traumatic event, 8 percent of men develop PTSD. On the other hand, 20 percent of women who have had a traumatic event develop PTSD. Combat and sexual assault are the leading traumatic events that cause PTSD.
Treatment Methods
Psychotherapy and medication are the common treatment methods of PTSD. The most common form of psychotherapy treatment is cognitive behavioral therapy. The common medications used to treat PTSD are the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors.
References
National Center for PTSD. Understanding PTSD, www.ptsd.va.gov/public/
Shalev, A., Liberzon, I., & Marmar, C. (2017). Post-traumatic stress disorder. New England Journal of Medicine , 376 (25), 2459-2469.
Steenkamp, M. M., Nash, W. P., & Litz, B. T. (2013). Post-traumatic stress disorder: Review of the Comprehensive Soldier Fitness program. American Journal of Preventive Medicine , 44 (5), 507-512.
Stern, J. (2014). PTSD: Policy issues. Psychoanalytic psychology , 31 (2), 255.
