Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating condition that
follows a terrifying event. Often, people with PTSD have persistent
frightening thoughts and memories of their ordeal and feel emotionally
numb, especially with people they were once close to.

PTSD, once referred to as shell shock or battle fatigue, was first brought to
public attention by war veterans, but it can result from any number of
traumatic incidents.

These include kidnapping, serious accidents such as car or train
wrecks, natural disasters such as floods or earthquakes, violent
attacks such as a mugging, rape, or torture, or being held captive.

The event that triggers it may be something that threatened the person's
life or the life of someone close to him or her. Or it could be something
witnessed, such as mass destruction after a plane crash.

Whatever the source of the problem, some people with PTSD repeatedly
relive the trauma in the form of nightmares and disturbing
recollections during the day. They may also experience sleep problems,
depression, feeling detached or numb, or being easily startled. They may
lose interest in things they used to enjoy and have trouble feeling
affectionate. They may feel irritable, more aggressive than before, or
even violent. Seeing things that remind them of the incident may be very
distressing, which could lead them to avoid certain places or situations that
bring back those memories. Anniversaries of the event are often very
difficult.

PTSD can occur at any age, including childhood. The disorder can be
accompanied by depression, substance abuse, or anxiety. Symptoms may
be mild or severe--people may become easily irritated or have violent
outbursts. In severe cases they may have trouble working or socializing. In
general, the symptoms seem to be worse if the event that triggered them
was initiated by a person--such as a rape, as opposed to a flood. Ordinary
events can serve as reminders of the trauma and trigger flashbacks or
intrusive images.

A flashback may make the person lose touch with reality and reenact the
event for a period of seconds or hours or, very rarely, days. A person
having a flashback, which can come in the form of images, sounds, smells,
or feelings, usually believes that the traumatic event is happening all over
again.

Not every traumatized person gets full-blown PTSD, or experiences PTSD
at all. PTSD is diagnosed only if the symptoms last more than a month. In
those who do have PTSD, symptoms usually begin within 3 months of the
trauma, and the course of the illness varies. Some people recover within 6
months, others have symptoms that last much longer. In some cases, the
condition may be chronic.

Occasionally, the illness doesn't show up until years after the traumatic
event. Antidepressants and anxiety-reducing medications can ease the
symptoms of depression and sleep problems, and psychotherapy, including
cognitive-behavioral therapy, is an integral part of treatment. Being
exposed to a reminder of the trauma as part of therapy--such as returning
to the scene of a rape--sometimes helps. And, support from family and
friends can help speed recovery.


(Source: NIMH, National Institute for Mental Health).