PostTraumatic Stress Disorder Essay Research Paper Have

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Essay, Research Paper

Have you ever witnessed someone being badly injured or even killed. Have you ever been involved in a fire, flood, or any other natural disaster. The estimated lifetime prevalence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder among adult Americans is 7.8%, with men calculating at 5% and women at 10.4%, twice as likely as men to have PTSD at some point in their lives. This represents a small proportion of those who have experienced at least one traumatic event, for 60.7% of men and 51.2% of women reported at least one traumatic event. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, is a psychiatric disorder that can occur in victims who experience or witness life-threatening events, and this disorder can be familiarized with through knowing how it was discovered, the symptoms, and the treatment of PTSD.

To begin with, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is an extremely weakening condition that affects the body’s normal conscience. Reports have shown the traumatic events most often associated with PTSD in men were rape, war combat exposure, childhood neglect, and childhood physical abuse. The most common events for women were rape, sexual molestation, physical attack, being threatened with a weapon, and childhood physical abuse. However, none of these events consistently produced PTSD in those exposed to it. A particular type of traumatic event does not necessarily affect different sectors of the

population in the same way. Some studies show that debriefing people very soon after a catastrophic event may reduce some of the symptoms of PTSD. A study of 12,000 school children who lived through a hurricane in Hawaii found that those who received counseling early on were doing much better two years later than those who did not. People with PTSD tend to have abnormal levels of important hormones involved in response to stress. When people are in danger, they produce high levels of natural opiates, which can temporarily block pain. Scientists have discovered that people with PTSD continue to produce those higher levels even after the traumatic event has passed. It used to be believed that people who tend to dissociate themselves from a trauma were showing a healthy response, but now some researchers suspect that people who experience dissociation may be more prone to PTSD. PTSD is not a new disorder. There are written accounts of similar symptoms that go back to ancient times. Also, there is clear documentation in the historical medical literature starting with the Civil War, where a PTSD-like disorder was known as “Da Costa’s Syndome.” During World War I it was called shock. Later, in World War II the disorder received a somewhat more fancy name–battle fatigue. It was not named Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder until after the Vietnam War, when multiple cases of this syndrome were discovered and researched. PTSD has been researched in

victims on a civilian side just as much, or even more, than in military soldiers. Rescue workers involved in the aftermath of the Oklahoma City Bombing, survivors of the 1994 California earthquake, the 1997 South Dakota floods, hurricanes Hugo and Andrew, etc., are among many who have been treated for the disorder. Families of victims have also been treated for PTSD.

Moving on, many people with PTSD repeatedly re-experience the ordeal numerous times, especially when they are exposed to occurrences or objects reminiscent of the traumatic event. Anniversaries of the event can also trigger symptoms. Most people experience some of the symptoms of PTSD in the days and weeks following exposure, but the symptoms generally decrease over time and eventually disappear. However, about 8% of men and 20% of women go on to develop PTSD, and roughly 30% of these individuals develop a chronic form that persists throughout their lifetimes. Following a disaster, some children may be upset at the loss of a favorite toy, blanket, teddy bear, etc. PTSD is diagnosed when symptoms last more than one month. The most common physical symptoms include irritability or sudden outbursts of anger, and exaggerated startle responses. These symptoms are known as being hyper arousal. Recurring nightmares, intrusive daydreams, and flashbacks are psychological symptoms that are usually found in victims of the disorder. A victim may also experience

emotional signs such as feelings of detachment or alienation, depression, and inability to have loving feelings. Most victims with PTSD try to avoid any reminders or thoughts of the traumatic event they experienced. The course of chronic PTSD usually involves periods of symptom increase followed by remission of decrease, although for some individuals symptoms may be unremitting and severe.

Furthermore, treatment for PTSD typically begins with a detailed evaluation, and development of a treatment plan that meets the unique needs of the survivor. Generally, PTSD-specific-treatment is begun only when the survivor is safely removed from a crisis situation. For instance, if a victim is currently exposed to trauma, such as by ongoing domestic or community violence, abuse, or homelessness), severely depressed or suicidal, experiencing extreme panic or disorganized thinking, or in need of drug or alcohol detoxification, addressing these crisis problems becomes part of the first treatment phase. Educating trauma victims and their families about how people get PTSD, how PTSD affec