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Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that can
develop after exposure to a terrifying event or ordeal in which grave
physical harm occurred or was threatened. Traumatic events that can
trigger PTSD include violent personal assaults such as rape or mugging,
natural or human-caused disasters, accidents, or military combat. PTSD
can be extremely disabling.
Military
troops who served in the Vietnam and Gulf Wars; rescue workers involved
in the aftermath of disasters like the terrorist attacks on New York
City and Washington, D.C.; survivors of the Oklahoma City bombing;
survivors of accidents, rape, physical and sexual abuse, and other
crimes; immigrants fleeing violence in their countries;
hurricanes Hugo and Andrew; are
among those at risk for developing PTSD.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a
debilitating condition that can develop following a terrifying event.
Often, people with PTSD have persistent frightening thoughts and
memories of their ordeal and feel emotionally numb, especially with
people they were once close to. PTSD was first brought to public
attention by war veterans, but it can result from any number of
traumatic incidents. These include violent attacks such as mugging, rape
or torture; being kidnapped or held captive; child abuse; serious
accidents such as car or train wrecks; and natural disasters such as
floods or earthquakes. The event that triggers PTSD may be something
that threatened the person's life or the life of someone close to him or
her. Or it could be something witnessed, such as massive death and
destruction after a building is bombed or a plane crashes.
Whatever the source of the problem, some people
with PTSD repeatedly relive the trauma in the form of nightmares and
disturbing recollections during the day. They may also experience other
sleep problems, feel detached or numb, or be easily startled. They may
lose interest in things they used to enjoy and have trouble feeling
affectionate. They may feel irritable, more aggressive than before, or
even violent. Things that remind them of the trauma may be very
distressing, which could lead them to avoid certain places or situations
that bring back those memories. Anniversaries of the traumatic event are
often very difficult.
PTSD affects about 5.2 million adult Americans.
Women are more likely than men to develop PTSD.It can occur at any age, including childhood,
and there is some evidence that susceptibility to PTSD may run in
families. The disorder is often accompanied
by depression, substance abuse, or one or more other anxiety disorders.
In severe cases, the person may have trouble working or socializing. In
general, the symptoms seem to be worse if the event that triggered them
was deliberately initiated by a person-such as a rape or kidnapping.
Ordinary events can serve as reminders of the
trauma and trigger flashbacks or intrusive images. A person having a
flashback, which can come in the form of images, sounds, smells, or
feelings, may lose touch with reality and believe that the traumatic
event is happening all over again.
Not every traumatized person gets full-blown PTSD,
or experiences PTSD at all. PTSD is diagnosed only if the symptoms last
more than a month. In those who do develop PTSD, symptoms usually begin
within 3 months of the trauma, and the course of the illness varies.
Some people recover within 6 months, others have symptoms that last much
longer. In some cases, the condition may be chronic. Occasionally, the
illness doesn't show up until years after the traumatic event.
People with PTSD can be helped by medications and
carefully targeted psychotherapy.
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Many people with PTSD repeatedly re-experience the ordeal in the form
of flashback episodes, nightmares, memories, or even frightening
thoughts.
Zoloden can help you.
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more information. |
The Symptoms
of PTSD
Many
people with PTSD repeatedly re-experience the ordeal in the form of
flashback episodes, nightmares, memories, or frightening thoughts. Anniversaries of the event can also trigger symptoms. People
with PTSD also experience emotional numbness and sleep disturbances,
depression, anxiety, and irritability or outbursts of anger. Feelings of
intense guilt are also common. Most people with PTSD try to avoid any
reminders or thoughts of the ordeal.
Click here for more information about the benefits of Zoloden.
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PTSD
(Post traumatic Stress Disorder) affects more than 6 million people in the USA.
