POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER

According to the PTSD Alliance at the Sidran Traumatic Stress Foundation, an estimated 70% of American adults have been exposed to trauma at least once in their life. Up to 20% of people may go on to develop PTSD and persistent, for months or even years following the traumatic experience.  The causes or symptoms of PTSD are often misunderstood and misdiagnosed. PTSD it is a treatable condition.
 
Is PTSD a medical condition or a mental health condition? We must conclude that it actually is both.  Many medical illnesses for example such as thyroid, cardiac, or diabetes can contribute to mental health conditions and interfere with psychological assessment and treatment. Therefore, it is very important that we do medical assessment, physical, and/or blood work prior to diagnosing PTSD. PTSD can mask physical symptoms or psychosomatic symptoms. Therefore, posttraumatic stress disorder has both psychological as well as physiological symptoms and it is best to assess for both.  In most cases, people who have witnessed or experienced a trauma can recover without treatment. However, those who continue to have intrusive symptoms may be victims who will develop and be troubled by PTSD for several months or years to follow. Symptoms do not have to necessarily appear immediately after a trauma. Patients could first be diagnosed with acute stress disorder. However, if it lasts more than one month and symptoms persist, they meet the criteria for PTSD.

WHAT are the three categories of symptoms OF PTSD?

• Intrusive and unwanted memories.
• Avoiding behaviors.
• Arousal symptoms.

The primary category involves nightmares, flashbacks, and repetitive thoughts of the event or accident. They often report flooding of emotions or images related to the trauma. Nightmares can be so intense awakening the individual as a way to avoid feelings associated through the unconscious dream-work.

The second category involves “avoidance” whereby the patient may not want to go near the location of the. Avoidant behaviors may interfere with routine activities. Some clients can even avoid particular responsibilities, places, people or things, leading to depression, poor performance, or relationship issues.

The third category, physiological arousal, may cause hypersensitivity or overreaction to sounds such as fireworks or the backfire of a car, which might mimic sounds of battle and/or explosion. 

There are many other types of PTSD such as domestic violence, rape, accidents, injuries, explosion, war, sexual abuse, childhood trauma, and others. Although PTSD is widely considered an adult disorder, it is evident that it can be linked to untreated childhood trauma. PTSD can also develop in a person who has witnessed trauma. Developing PTSD is not a character flaw.  Many people who experience a traumatic event go through their own adjustment. Some are able to return to their normal daily routine.  However for others, the trauma becomes an overwhelming experience that can lead to symptoms associated with PTSD.

Risk Factors:

Those at risk for developing PTSD include anyone who has been victimized or has witnessed a violent act or repeatedly been exposed to life-threatening situations. Combat veterans are almost always exposed to prolonged stressful events both in action and by witnessing. Others at risk include professionals who respond to victims of traumatic situations including emergency medical service workers, policemen, fire fighters, military, and others.

Although PTSD can be successfully treated, there is always a risk of being exposed to a present situation or trauma that triggers recurrent PTSD. Therefore, one might reopen the wounds of the original trauma.  It is always important to have annual follow up.

QUESTIONS THAT PATIENTS CAN ASK THEMSELVES TO CLARIFY A PTSD DIAGNOSIS

• Have you been having repeated distressing dreams?
• Are you bothered by things from your past?
• Are you unable to remember details about the past?
• Do you have nightmares?
• Do you startle easily or are jumpy?
• Are you having difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep?
• Are you unable to remember details about the past traumatic event?
• Have you noticed that you are withdrawing socially from others?
• Do you notice increased irritability and intolerance for stress?
• Do any of your symptoms cause you problems at work, at home, or in daily life?

MEDICATION MANAGEMENT

It is difficult to treat this disorder because some people avoid the feelings associated with PTSD to the extent that they may not seek out help. Prescription medication is shown to be effective in treating PTSD for those who seek this type of benefit. For others, Neuro-Fusion Technique (NFT) can give hope for recovery.