Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
 
Introduction

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a type of anxiety problem. It can develop after the person's safety or life is threatened, or after they experience or see a traumatic event (natural disaster, rape, severe car crash or fighting in a war). The event makes them feel helpless. The traumatic event causes a cascade of psychological and biological changes known as post-traumatic stress disorder

Table of Contents
1. Introduction 6. Treatment
2. Epidemiology    
3. Risk Factors    
4. Sign and Symptoms    
5. Course    
 
  Epidemiology:  

In the United States, 60% of men and 50% of women experience a traumatic event during their lifetimes. Of those, 8% of men and 20% of women may develop PTSD. Some 88% of men and 79% of women with PTSD also have another psychiatric disorder. Nearly 50% suffer from major depression and 15% from anxiety disorders. 52% of men and 28% of women with PTSD have alcohol problems.
  Risk Factors:  

Anyone who experiences a life threatening situation, such as combat or witness a traumatic or violent act is at risk of developing PTSD. Increased duration of a traumatic event and higher severity of the trauma experienced are also risk factors. Preexisting psychological disorder, recent alcohol intake, poor social support does also predispose to develop PTSD after the traumatic incident.
  Sign and Symptoms:  

People with PTSD have recurrent re-experiencing of the trauma (troublesome memories, flashbacks of the traumatic events, recurring nightmares about the trauma). They have avoidance to the point of having a phobia of places, people, and experiences that remind the sufferers of the trauma. They develop sleep problems, trouble concentrating, irritability, anger, poor concentration, difficulty remembering things, increased reaction to being startled and hyper vigilance to threat.
Re-experience the event over and over again
  • You can’t put it out of your mind no matter how hard you try
  • You have repeated nightmares about the event
  • You have vivid memories, almost like it was happening all over again
  • You have a strong reaction when you encounter reminders, such as a car backfiring.

Avoid people, places, or feelings that remind you of the event
  • You work hard at putting it out of your mind
  • You feel numb and detached so you don’t have to feel anything
  • You avoid people or places that remind you of the event

Feel “keyed up” or on-edge all the time
  • You may startle easily
  • You may be irritable or angry all the time for no apparent reason
  • You are always looking around, hyper vigilant of your surroundings
  • You may have trouble relaxing or getting to sleep
  Course:  

PTSD can be treated successfully. However, without treatment, it can last several months to many years. Untreated PTSD can cause depression, anxiety, drug abuse, suicidal thoughts and actions.
  Treatment:  

Combination of therapy (Cognitive therapy/Exposure therapy) and Antidepressants have found to be very helpful. Drug treatment is aimed at relieving fear and anxiety and restoring normal sleep patterns.
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