PTSD

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 * POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER **


 * WHAT IS PTSD? **

Post- traumatic stress disorder is a disorder that can develop following a traumatic event that threatens your safety or makes you feel helpless. Any overwhelming life experiences can trigger PTSD, especially if the events are perceived as uncontrollable or unpredictable. PTSD is marked by clear biological changes as well as psychological PTSD is marked by clear biological changes as well as psychological symptoms. People with PTSD often may develop additional disorders such as depression, substance abuse, problems of physical and mental health. The disorder is also associated with impairment of the person’s in social or family life.



In the early 1800’s, medical providers diagnosed soldiers with “exhaustion” which is characterized as mental shut downs due to trauma. In World War I and II, the term “shell shock” and combat fatigue were used to describe veterans and anxiety after being in combat. Like today, soldiers during the 1800’s were not supposed to be afraid or show any fear in the heat of battle. The only treatment for this "exhaustion" was to bring the afflicted soldiers to the rear for a while then send them back into battle. Through extreme and often repeated stress, the soldiers became fatigued as a part of their body’s natural shock reaction.
 * HISTORY OF PTSD **

PTSD can be categorized into 4 types, and depends on the length of time it takes for PTSD to appear and the amount of time it is present.
 * Types of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder **
 * Acute Stress Disorder - Symptoms occur within 4 weeks of the traumatic experience and lasts in between 2 days and 4 weeks.
 * Acute Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - Symptoms last for more than 4 weeks.
 * Delayed Onset Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - Symptoms appear years after the traumatic experience.
 * Chronic Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - Symptoms last for over 3 months with the symptoms disappearing for a few days and then reappearing.




 * SOME TRAUMATIC EVENTS THAT CAN LEAD TO POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER INCLUDE: **

- War - Kidnapping - Rape - Violent Abuse - Natural Disaster - Sexual or Physical Abuse - Car or Plane Crash - Medical Procedure

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 * SYMPTOMS OF PTSD **
 * Flashbacks (images of the traumatic incident that keeps coming back to haunt you)
 * Nightmares (either of the event or of other frightening things)
 * Feelings of intense stress when reminded of the trauma
 * Intense physical reactions to reminders of the event (pounding heart, fast breathing, nausea, muscle tension, sweating)
 * Hesistant responses
 * Loss of memory
 * Poor concentration
 * Hypervigilance (similar paranoia)
 * Anger over small issues with violent outbursts
 * Extreme nervousness and anxiety
 * Muscle aches and pains for no apparent reason
 * Unexplained fear
 * Low self-esteem/lack of confidence
 * Experience a sudden numb feeling
 * Avoiding anything that reminds of the traumatic experience



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