Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychological reaction that occurs after experiencing a traumatic or stressful event such as combat, violence, accidents, or natural disasters. It is characterized by symptoms like reliving the event through flashbacks or nightmares, avoiding reminders of the trauma, and feeling constantly on edge or distressed. Children may exhibit PTSD through stomach aches, headaches, or refusal to socialize. Treatment involves therapy, medication, or both and aims to help patients manage distressing thoughts and feelings about the trauma to reduce symptoms over 6-12 weeks. Family therapy programs bring relatives together to strengthen relationships and support the person with PTSD.

1. Jackie Williams

2.  What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
(PTSD)?
 Causes of PTSD
 Effects of PTSD
 Treatment of PTSD

3.  “A psychological reaction occurring during
experiencing a highly stressing event that is
usually characterized by depression, anxiety,
flash backs, recurrent nightmares, and
avoidance of reminders of the event”
(Merriam-Webster’s, p.1)
 Classified by symptoms of reliving the event,
avoiding situations reminding one of the
event, negative changes in beliefs, and
feeling jittery.

4.  Any trauma that is life-threatening - affects
physical of emotional well-being
 This can include:
 Being a victim of or seeing violence
 Death
 War or combat
 Car accidents
 Hurricanes, tornadoes, and fires
 Violent crimes, like a robbery

5.  Common Symptoms
 Suffering from bad dreams
 Feeling like the event is happening
again(flashbacks)
 Experiencing uncontrollable thoughts
 Avoiding places that remind one of the event
 Feeling worried, guilty, or sad
 Sleeping too little or too much
 Feeling on edge
 Fighting with loved ones
 Feeling alone

6.  Children may show other types of problems
 Being unable to talk
 Complaining of stomach problems or headaches a
lot
 Refusing to go places or play with friends

7.  May include: therapy, medication, or both
 6-12 weeks (depending on the person, could
take longer)
 Treatment varies from person to person
 Alcohol and drugs make PTSD worse

8.  Four weekly, 50-min, single family joining
sessions
 Phase 1: strengthens family relationships
 Phase 2: emphasizes family needs
 Phase 3: focuses on problem-solving

9.  Relationship building
 Old vs. new values
 Establishes a meaning for the event
 Reduces:
 Automatic distress to similar events
 Hyperarousal
 Increases:
 Person’s ability to take risk

10.  Learning to change one’s thoughts about the
trauma that are not true or which cause
stress
 Patients are taught to disassemble their
problems into various parts, making the
problem more manageable and less
overwhelming
 Improves mood and outlook

11.  Helps patients face and gain control of the
fear and distress that was overwhelming in
the trauma
 Could result in re-traumatizing the patient
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0WdiYG
B13A

12.  Ability to manage fear and stress determines
a huge role in whether one will develop PTSD
 Support greatly influences the victim
 Treatment is crucial to improving overall
health!

13.  Fischer, E., Sherman, M., Han, X., & Owen, R.
(2013, June). Outcomes of participation in the
REACH multifamily group program for veterans
with PTSD and their families. American
Psychological Association, 44(3), 127-134.
 Grohol, J. (2009). What is exposure therapy?
Psych Central. Retrieved on April 19, 2014, from
http://psychcentral.com/lib/what-is-exposure-
therapy/0001640.
 Post-traumatic stress disorder. (1980). Merriam-
Webster Online. Retrieved April 19, 2014.
 Post-traumatic stress disorder (easy-to-read).
(2013). Department of Health and Human
Services. Retrieved April 27, 2014.