CRIS 304 Module 1
Signs & Symptoms of PTSD
Dr. Michael Lyles
People who experience PTSD, they do not remember, they literally relive what they are going through.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – An anxiety disorder that occurs after exposure to a traumatic event, which triggers memories of the traumatic event and is characterized by intense fear, helplessness, and horror.
25-30% of victims of significant (extreme or severe) trauma develop PTSD.
The lifetime prevalence of PTSD in this country is about 8%. That accounts for about 5 million adults.
That is a lot of people and unfortunately, we do not pay a lot of attention to these people. We don’t think about them enough in our clinical settings. In fact, these people utilize a number of medical services.
It is estimated that about 11.8% of person’s going to family care, in primary care settings, may have people with PTSD, but it’s not something that we think about and recognize in primary or specialty health care settings enough.
It’s estimated that up to 50% of combat exposed military personnel have some form of PTSD.
It occurs 2x as common in women, particularly because of the impact of sexual trauma on women.
What is a trauma?
Trauma can occur from:
Witnessing or experiencing a traumatic event
Trying to help someone with a traumatic event
Rescue workers
Clergy person
Therapist
The risk for developing PTSD varies depending on the severity and duration of the trauma and how the trauma was experienced by the person that was going through it.
What are traumatic events?
Natural disasters
Automobile accidents
Rape or sexual molestation – probably the #1 reason for PTSD symptoms in women
Airplane crash
Torture
Physical assault
Terrorist attack
Robbery
Unexpected death of a loved one
Witnessing the death of another person – the most common cause of PTSD in males.
Such as rescue