2. Post-traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD) is a psychiatric disorder
experienced by individuals
following the witnessing of or
experiencing a life threatening
event, such as:
• Serious accidents
• Natural disasters
• Military combat
• Physical or sexual assault as an
adult or in childhood
3. AN ESTIMATED 7.8% OF AMERICANS WILL EXPERIENCE
PTSD AT SOME POINT IN THEIR LIVES. STUDIES SHOW THAT
WOMEN ARE TWICE AS LIKELY TO DEVELOP PTSD AS MEN
4. Symptoms of PTSD
Symptom of PTSD
. Re-experiencing involve the person
reliving the traumatic experience over
and over in their mind. At times this
reliving of the memories can be so
severe that the person may feel as
though the actual event is happening
again. This is called a flashback.
Hyper arousal, meaning that a person is
always on high alert. These people can be
easily startled, have difficulty sleeping, and
have constant feeling of being on the edge.
This sometimes will manifest itself in
aggressive behavior toward others.
Isolation and numbing symptoms are when the
person avoids certain situations that may remind
them of the event. This can lead to isolation
friends and family as the person loses interest in
activities that they used to be enjoyable to them.
A lot of times the person will experience a
numbing of emotions.
5. Risk factors for developing PTSD
Individuals who have a history of depression or
anxiety or a family history of mental illness can be at
a greater risk for developing the disorder. Individuals
who have substance abuse issues are also more likely
to develop post-traumatic stress disorder after a
traumatic event.
6. Psychological Treatment
Exposure therapy, developed by psychologist Edna Foa,
guides the patient to recall traumatic memories in a safe,
controlled environment so that with time and repetitiveness
they will be able to regain control of their thoughts and
feelings surrounding the event. It can include mental
imagery, writings, and visits to the place of the event.
Cognitive restructuring is another psychotherapy. This
therapy helps people to make sense of the bad memories the
have surrounding the traumatic event. Sometimes people
will remember things very differently than they actually
happened. Cognitive therapy will help them regain a
realistic way of thinking, because some patients may feel
shame or guilt over things that were completely out of their
control.
Stress inoculation therapy is a type of therapy helps to
reduce symptoms by teaching the individual way to manage
and reduce their anxiety. This is done be teaching muscle
relaxation, breathing techniques, and positive self-talk.
7. pharmacological treatments
FDA approved treatments of post-traumatic stress :
currently there are only two medications,
ZOLOFT & PAXIL
Zoloft and Paxil are both classified as antidepressants, but can
help control some of the PTSD symptoms of sadness, worry,
anger, and numbness. The medications are commonly used in
conjunction with psychotherapies.
8.
9. For some patients the symptoms
disappear spontaneously after six
months or so; some patients can be
helped with treatment, but in
others the disorder may run a
chronic course for months or
years. The study of PTSD and its
treatments is ongoing. It is felt by
researchers that early intervention
and prevention may be the optimal
course of action when individuals
are exposed to or have witnessed
traumatic life events.
