Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Frequently Asked Questions
How common is posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?
At any given time approximately 5 million people in the United States suffer from Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PTSD is more common in women, than men, but this may be because fewer men seek medical treatment. Military personnel, firefighters and others professionals who experience traumatic situations consistently as well as individual victims of violent crime, disasters or accidents are at risk for PTSD.
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What is posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a medical condition. PTSD is a condition that occurs after you have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event involving real or threatened physical danger to you or others that leads to intense fear or helplessness. Traumatic events which may trigger PTSD include: violent assaults to self or others (rape, kidnapping, torture, murder), devastation caused natural disasters (tornadoes, earthquakes), accidents or war. ...
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What is Posttraumatic Stress Disorder?
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that can occur following experiencing or witnessing of a terrifying event or ordeal in which grave physical harm occurred or was threatened. Examples of such events include military combat, natural disasters, terrorist incidents, serious accidents, abuse (sexual, physical, emotional, ritual), and violent personal assaults, like rape. ...
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Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder with several major conditions/criteria that need to occur in order to reach a diagnosis. The major categories include: having experienced a traumatic event and being very frightened by it; re-experiencing the traumatic event; avoidance of subsequent events that are similar or reminders of the event; a numbing of feelings and responsiveness as compared to how you felt before the traumatic event; and ...
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What causes posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?
Not everyone who experiences or witnesses a traumatic event will suffer from Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), however, if one is suffering from PTSD, then they must have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event . The exact reason why one person who lives through a traumatic event develops PTSD while another doesn’t is not known, but it is believed that PTSD is caused in patients with an imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain . ...
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Does a person with posttraumatic stress disorder always have flashbacks?
Only about 15 percent of people with PTSD have flashbacks. Flashbacks are one of several ways in which a memory of a traumatic event can intrude upon a person's life. Unwelcome feelings, thoughts and images can be just as intrusive.
Source: www.traumagroup.co.uk
Who is most at risk of developing posttraumatic stress disorder?
Those most at risk are obviously those most severely traumatized, but also those who have a past history of trauma, particularly of childhood abuse. Also, anyone who was having some difficulties with anxiety or depression prior to a trauma maybe somewhat more vulnerable. But the bottom line is that anyone can develop posttraumatic stress disorder.
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Are there other symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder?
Yes, these other symptoms include: Survivor guilt is common and is a literal feeling of shame or guilt that they survived when others didn't. This is a very intense, visceral experience. Patients may be able to recognize that it is irrational or overvalued, but they experience it nevertheless. Difficulty with trust: this seems especially true of the Vietnam generation, who were betrayed in many ways, but is true to a certain extent of any trauma survivor. ...
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Is it possible to do OK for awhile, then develop posttraumatic stress disorder?
Yes, posttraumatic stress disorder can have a delayed onset. In fact, those who become completely numb during a trauma, or those who get a strong sense of depersonalization (being out of their body) or derealization ("this isn't really happening") may be more at risk of developing posttraumatic stress disorder later. Talking about what happened - debriefing - appears to be very important. ...
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So how is posttraumatic stress disorder treated?
The first step is to get a thorough psychiatric evaluation. This should include not just a detailed history and mental status examination, but also in some cases a medical examination. There are some medical conditions that can mimic the anxiety of posttraumatic stress disorder that should be ruled out. The treatment is usually multidisciplinary, meaning it should involve ideally physicians, psychologists, social workers, individual and group therapy, and possibly medications. ...
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Is posttraumatic stress disorder a sign of weakness, or evidence that someone can't cope?
Not at all. Posttraumatic stress disorder is not a sign of weakness, but a physiological inevitability. It makes no more sense to label those with posttraumatic stress disorder as weak than it does to accuse someone with a broken leg of having weak bones. The bravest thing someone with posttraumatic stress disorder can do is to step forward and get treatment. Unfortunately, many don’t until they have suffered tremendously.
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Who is vulnerable to developing a disorder such as Posttraumatic Stress Disorder or depression after a disaster or terrorist attack?
People that are likely to be very stressed by a traumatic event include those who: Were in danger or believed they were in danger of being killed or injured Had loved ones killed Witnessed other people being killed or injured Young children who have these experiences are generally more vulnerable to developing disorders than adults. ...
Source: www.ncptsd.va.gov
Is Posttraumatic Stress Disorder just related to war experiences, or experiences involving the death of another person?
A Posttraumatic Stress Disorder can develop from any traumatic experience. Trauma is generally defined as any experience that falls outside the realm of ordinary human experience. Traumatic experiences include but are not limited to, sexual abuse, witnessing a serious accident, being a party to a shooting, witnessing a major fire or natural disaster, etc.
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How do I treat a new mother who is suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder?
» Read Answer First, it is important that the patient is properly diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder according to DSM-IV criteria. The Perinatal Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Questionnaire is a useful tool for identifying significant emotional distress in mothers during the postnatal period. In clinical practice, approximately 15% of pregnant, and 15% of postpartum women, will present with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). ...
Source: www.mededppd.org
So when should I consider getting treatment or evaluation if I think I have posttraumatic stress disorder?
Technically, you can't diagnose posttraumatic stress disorder unless symptoms persist for at least a month after a trauma. However, some research indicates that the sooner treatment is obtained, the better. In fact, debriefing trauma survivors almost immediately, in an emergency room setting, for example, may lead to a better outcome. ...
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If posttraumatic stress disorder is so important, why was the diagnosis only added to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual in 1980?
Although posttraumatic stress disorder was not formally recognized and codified as an illness as it is currently understood, there is overwhelming evidence that people suffered from what we would now call posttraumatic stress disorder throughout history.
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Was there more posttraumatic stress disorder from the Vietnam conflict than from other wars?
Although the diagnosis did not exist, the syndrome we would now call posttraumatic stress disorder existed in every war and natural disaster. By some measures, World War II produced more psychiatric casualties than did the Vietnam conflict. After intensive combat in World War II, for example, up to 75% of some units would become psychiatric casualties. ...
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If I don't think I have posttraumatic stress disorder but have a number of disturbing symptoms, what should I do?
Don't overlook the simple things. Be good to yourself. Tune out the stimuli if they are overwhelming. Get your news in less graphic form, such as the printed media, and in measured doses. You probably don't need a minute-by-minute update of what is going on in the world. Focus your energy on things you can control, such as your intimate relationships. Rediscover gardening or some old hobby that used to be soothing and uplifting. ...
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