POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER

By Christi Conrath

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 childhoodBailey, Christopher, Cordell, Elisbeth, Sobin, S., & Neumeister, A. (Mar 2013). Implications for Targeted and Pharmacological Treatment of PTSD. CNS Drugs. Vol. 27.3, No. 221-32.

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

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. (n.d.) Retrieved on April 16, 2014 from http://www.ptsd.ne.gov/what-is-ptsd.html

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.

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. (n.d.)

Retrieved on April 16, 2014 from http://www.ptsd.ne.gov/what-is-ptsd.html

Risk factors for developing PTSDIndividuals 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.

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. (n.d.)

Retrieved on April 16, 2014 from http://www.ptsd.ne.gov/what-is-ptsd.htm

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. DeAngelis, Tori. (January 2008). PTSD Treatments Grow in Evidence and Effectiveness.

American Psychological Association, Vol 39, No. 1

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.

DeAngelis, Tori. (January 2008). PTSD Treatments Grow in Evidence and Effectiveness. American Psychological Association, Vol 39, No. 1

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.