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Woman and Ptsd

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Women and P.T.S.D 1

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Women

Women and Their Risk for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
8 Oct 2012
PSY 121
Dr. Hornstein

Women and P.T.S.D 2
Abstract

This paper will explain the causes, symptoms, and treatment of Post Traumatic Stress
Disorder as it relates to women. A multitude of studies were done showing the effects of
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in men but recent studies show the severity of the psychiatric disorder on women. Researchers have found that non-combat veteran females had higher levels of PACAP (pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide) than patients without the psychiatric disorder and none in men.(2)

Women and P.T.S.D. 3

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (P.T.S.D.) is a serious condition that can develop after a person experiences or witnesses a traumatic or terrifying event in which serious physical harm occurred or was threatened. P.T.S.D. is a real diagnosable disorder, (3) although many health insurance companies refuse to acknowledge it by paying for it. P.T.S.D. is a lasting consequence of traumatic ordeals that cause intense fear, helplessness, or horror. People with P.T.S.D. may suffer flashbacks to the traumatic event, become aggressive, or numb, or withdrawn, have nightmares, and become emotionally numb or even violent. Most people who experience a traumatic event will have reaction that may include shock, anger, nervousness, fear, and even guilt. These reactions are common; and for most people, they go away over time. For those suffering from P.T.S.D., however these feelings continue and even increase, becoming so strong that they keep the person from living a normal life. Symptoms of P.T.S.D. usually appear about three months after the traumatic event. P.T.S.D. generally affects twice as many women as men, and women with P.T.S.D. report

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