Post Traumatic Stress Disorder began receiving national attention
after the Vietnam War, but men and women who served in World War II,
Korea and in the Persian Gulf were also victims. However, combat is
just one event that can trigger PTSD. Post Traumatic Stress
Disorder is a psychiatric disorder that can occur after experiencing
or witnessing any life-threatening event, including natural disasters,
terrorist incidents, serious accidents, or violent personal assaults
like rape. Other common causes are witnessing someone being badly
injured or killed, being involved in a fire or flood, sexual molestation,
physical attack, being threatened with a weapon, or childhood physical
abuse.
People who suffer from PTSD often relive the experience through nightmares
and flashbacks, have difficulty sleeping, poor concentration and feelings
of danger and feel detached or estranged. Physical symptoms include
sleep disturbances, shakiness, racing heartbeat, breathlessness and
agitation. These symptoms can be severe enough and last long enough
to significantly impair the person's daily life.
According to a national study, the estimated lifetime prevalence
of PTSD among adult Americans is 7.8%. Women (10.4%) are
twice as likely as men (5%) to have PTSD at some point in their lives.
The report concluded, "PTSD is a highly prevalent lifetime disorder
that often persists for years. ” The study found that qualifying
events for PTSD are also common.
Research indicates that people who have survived previous traumatic
events may be particularly sensitive to effects of later traumatic
events like terrorist acts and war. The events can cause symptoms
from general distress to an increase in PTSD symptoms, irritability,
anger, alcohol and substance use.
Veterans with PSTD may be particularly susceptible to reactivation
or worsening of symptoms when exposed to situations with high emotional
or symbolic value, like veteran gatherings or patriotic displays.
To help a veteran that might be experiencing effects of PTSD, friends
and family can encourage the veteran to transform negative feelings
by contributing to support efforts in a positive way, like giving
blood, contributing to the Red Cross, volunteering or donating to
a food bank.
Written accounts of PTSD symptoms go back to ancient times, and there
is documentation in historical medical literature starting with the
Civil War, when a PTSD-like disorder was known as "Da Costa's
Syndrome." Posttraumatic stress symptoms are recorded in
the medical literature for Holocaust survivors. Children and
women who have been molested often experience PTSD symptoms.
PTSD is marked by clear biological changes as well as psychological
symptoms. Diagnosis is complicated since it may occur in conjunction
with related disorders like depression, substance abuse, memory or
cognition difficulties or other problems. PTSD may impair the
ability to function in social or family life, generating occupational
instability, marital problems, divorce and family discord.
Most people exposed to a traumatic event experience some symptoms
of PTSD in the days and weeks following exposure. 8% of men and 20%
of women go on to develop PTSD, and roughly 30% of them develop a
chronic form that persists through life. Chronic PTSD usually
involves periods of increased symptoms followed by remission or decreased
symptoms. Still, some people experience symptoms that are unremitting
and severe. Acknowledging effects of the condition is important
Medical treatment can improve the prognosis and quality of life for
those that experience PTSD. The most successful results
have combined medication with therapy and may be short term or long
term, depending on the individual. PL
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