Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a disorder that occurs following the experiencing or witnessing of a life-threatening event, such as military combat, natural disaster, serious accident, terrorist event, or a violent personal assault like rape. People who suffer from PTSD often relive the event through nightmares and flashbacks. They often have trouble sleeping and feel detached or estranged from life. These symptoms can be severe enough to interfere with daily activities and relationships. The disorder often impairs the person’s ability to function in society and family life, causing work problems, marital problems, or difficulty with parenting skills.
A person suffering from PTSD may also suffer from related disorders such as depression, substance abuse, impairment of memory and cognition, as well as physical symptoms. Physical manifestations include headache, gastrointestinal complaints, dizziness, chest pain and pain in other parts of the body. PTSD results in real biological and mental changes. People with PTSD tend to have higher levels of key hormones involved in the body’s reaction to stress. Thyroid function is often enhanced, while cortisol levels are lower than normal and epinephrine and nor epinephrine levels are higher than normal. Natural opiates continue to be produced and remain higher even after the trauma has passed. People with PTSD tend to have increased sensitivity to the startle reflex and sleep abnormalities.
The risk factors associated with developing PTSD after a traumatic event are associated with genetics and environment. The perception of threat or danger, horror or fear is a factor. Those with feelings of responsibility, betrayal, or lack of control are more likely to develop this condition. People in an environment that promotes feelings of shame, guilt, or stigmatization are especially vulnerable. Lack of a social support system or concurrent events can make onset more likely. Women tend to suffer from PTSD twice as often as men. Events that can trigger PTSD are rape, childhood abuse, combat exposure, physical attack and being threatened with a weapon. About 30% of people who have been in a war zone experience PTSD.
PTSD is treated with a combination of medication and psychotherapy. Cognitive behavior therapy, group therapy and exposure therapy show promise in helping with the condition. The most widely used drugs to treat PTSD are SSRI’s, such as Zoloft, Paxil, or Prozac. Medications can help ease the symptoms of depression and anxiety and help with sleep. Research is ongoing in the development of ways to treat this disorder.
