Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder is a psychiatric illness that can occur following a traumatic event in which there was threat of injury or death to you or someone else. Post-traumatic stress disorder is thought to be primarily an anxiety disorder. It is occasionally called post-traumatic stress reaction to emphasize that it is a result of traumatic experience rather than a manifestation of a pre-existing psychological condition. In fact, most people who experience traumatic events will not develop PTSD. For most people, the emotional effects of traumatic events tend to subside after several months. Traumatic events that may trigger Post traumatic stress disorder include violent personal assaults, natural or human-caused disasters, accidents, or military combat. Post-traumatic stress disorder is defined in terms of the trauma itself and the person's response to the trauma. Trauma occurs when a person has experienced, witnessed, or been confronted with a terrible event that is an actual occurrence.

Posttraumatic stress can happen at any age. It can occur as a sudden, short-term response, or it can develop gradually and become chronic or persistent. Post-traumatic stress disorder also can affect rescue workers at the site of mass casualties or other tragedies. These kinds of events may cause intense fear, helplessness. Children with post traumatic stress disorder avoid situations or places that remind them of the trauma. They may also become less responsive emotionally, depressed, withdrawn, and more detached from their feelings. People who have been victims of previous trauma are also at greater risk. Post-traumatic stress disorder can occur in persons of any age, including children. Symptoms usually begin within 3 months of the event, although a delay of months or years may occur before symptoms appear. Both drugs and psychotherapy can be helpful. The most effective treatment approaches are called "cognitive-behavioral" because they focus both on the way traumatized persons view the trauma and on their resulting behavior.

Causes of Post-traumatic stress disorder

The common causes and risk factor's of Post-traumatic stress disorder:

Changes in the natural chemicals in your brain.
Violent assaults such as rape.
Physical or sexual abuse.
Survivors of natural disasters such as hurricanes or earthquakes.
Natural or man-made disasters.

Symptoms of Post-traumatic stress disorder

Some sign and symptom related to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder are as follows:

Losing interest in activities.
Showing irritability or angry outbursts.
Headaches and stomachaches.
Being easily startled or frightened.
Trouble sleeping.
Upsetting dreams about the traumatic event.

Treatment of Post-traumatic stress disorder

Several forms of therapy may be used to treat both children and adults with post-traumatic stress disorder. Which form is best for you depends on your symptoms and situation.
Exposure therapy is a form of cognitive behavioral therapy used to treat post-traumatic stress disorder. In this therapy, you are gradually helped to process your memories or cues associated with your traumatic experience.
Anti-anxiety medicines may be useful, but some types, such as benzodiazepines, can be addictive.
Two medications, sertraline and paroxetine, have been approved for the treatment of post-traumatic stress. They work much like Prozac and similar antidepressants in helping to overcome the symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Disclaimer : All information on www.depression-information.org is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, please consult your doctor.