Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

There are numerous different mental disorders that people are diagnosed with on an everyday basis. Some mental disorders are genetic, but yet other disorders come from the things that people encounter in life. One mental disorder that is being diagnosed more often every day is called Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. This is a disorder that does not discriminate based on genetics, race, age, or even sex. This mental disorder occurs due to events in a person’s life. As everyone knows it is natural for humans to feel fear and be cautious in a dangerous time or event. This natural human reaction is called “fight-or-flight” response, and is a healthy reaction a person has that prevents a person from harm. When a person has Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome, this normally healthy reaction is changed or damaged. People, who experience this mental disorder, feel they are still always in danger, even when the danger is no longer present. Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome is an anxiety disorder people get after they witness a tragic or dangerous event.
Some events that can trigger Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome include violent assaults, accidents, military combat, natural disasters, or deaths. People with Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome do not know how to cope with the trauma they have experienced. These people have reoccurring memories of the stressful event, or trauma they encountered. Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome sufferers feel like they will never get over the event that they have witnessed, or been through. They also feel very helpless, because of their encounter. Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome makes it very troublesome to get back to regular life and connecting with people they know outside of their experience, after the traumatic event. Basically these people are in a constant state of fear, helplessness, and horror. It is very interesting to know that Post Traumatic Syndrome is not limited to the people that actually see or go through the tragic event; people who are left to pick up the pieces also exhibit this disorder. Not only do these people experience Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome, it is more likely for them to have depression, and abuse alcohol and other substances. Basically Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome is life halting to people who have already had to go through a tragic event.
There are distinct symptoms that people with Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome exhibit. These symptoms are reoccurring over a certain amount of time. These symptoms are often broken down into three separate groups. The first group is classified as flashbacks.
Flashbacks involve a person reliving their tragic experience or event over and over. Symptoms of flashbacks also include one’s heart racing, swelling, bad dreams or nightmares. Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome patients have scary thoughts of certain objects or situations, which trigger them to re-experience the event. I interviewed a person that falls well into this category. She preferred to remain anonymous. I asked her many questions, but there is one thing that she said that really sticks out in my mind. “My nightmares are generally not directly related to the trauma though they sometimes have similar characters. They are generally always related to the same theme though, not being able to escape a particular circumstance, feeling trapped, having no help. I used to have the same dream over and over again where I was not going to graduate from high school, I was too behind to get enough credits and there was no way out. I never had that experience so it took me awhile to relate it to the common themes to my trauma. One day it ended differently, I did have a way out and I was going to just barely graduate and move on. That was symbolic of me being able to connect to my trauma in real life and move on.”
The second category is called avoidance symptoms. This would be when the person stays away from things that remind them of the tragedy they experienced. Characteristics of this category are feeling numbness, extreme guilt and depression, worrying profusely, and loss of interest in current activities. It might seem strange, but these people actually have trouble remembering the event they went through. Certain things can trigger extreme fright that reminds the person of their danger during the event they experienced. This disorder is so powerful that it can even change a person’s normal daily routine. Through my research I visited many forums sites looking to talk to individuals about this category of symptoms. I was able to talk to a mother or six children, Diana. The thing that she feels the most is the numbness. She has gaps in her memory of events from her life. Diana gave me a brief description of exactly what happens. “I have an excellent memory, especially for facts, but I have gaps of up to months missing. It scares me and confuses others (especially those who know me). I lived about 7 years mostly numb with muted emotions, for me that's how I learned to survive those years. I just took what happened and sloshed it aside and continued on because I didn't have time for feelings. With me feelings weren't considered because I was fighting for my life in the hospital.”
“I wasn't sad exactly, but never was I ever really happy. I just kind of... existed. Robotically, with minor amusements here and there I managed to get day to day. I did that for so long I had forgotten what it was to really FEEL. For the longest time I didn't even realize.... I thought that WAS normal. But then something snapped. The thing that finally broke the last straw, and then this past year I was SLAMMED with feelings (anger, resentment, fear, guilt, terror) and so many other things. For months I couldn't process it. I'm just barely learning to process it now. Half of the time I long for the days of being numb. The other half of the time I'm confused with all of these emotions. But I will admit feeling emotions... it really makes you feel alive whether it's good or bad.
The last group would be hyper arousal symptoms. This includes patients being easily startled, being easily angered, having more than normal amounts of tension, and extreme sleeping problems. These symptoms are constant, along with overwhelming stress, as well as difficulty completing daily tasks. These symptoms persist longer than a few weeks.
Other symptoms that fall into this category are nightmares, and frequent flashbacks. These people feel very alone, and do not look forward to the future, or feel happiness. It is very hard for these people to relax, and they often over react. It is also common for Post Traumatic Stress Sufferers to easily feel distracted. All these things sometimes lead to extreme depression and suicidal thoughts. Physical symptoms are experienced as well. These physical symptoms include headaches, gastrointestinal distress, immune system problems, dizziness, chest pain, and other body discomfort. These people really cannot return to normal life before the tragedy, in any way, shape, or form. Their symptoms are constant and may be hard for them to realize, but to everyone else involved in their life are very noticeable.
A good friend of mine from while I was in the Marine Corps suffers greatly from insomnia. Sgt. James Cabrera served with me while I was in Iraq. We are both combat veterans. The main difference between him and I is the fact that he is diagnosed with PTSD. One of the main things that he suffers from is insomnia and hypersomnia. He tells me that “getting to sleep is the main problem.” It will be anywhere from 4 to 6 a.m. before he can fall to sleep, and even then he may only sleep 2 to 3 hours. On the other hand though, there are day when he does get to sleep, and he can not be aroused and will sleep for up to 16 hours or more. After someone suffering from these symptoms notices them, the next step is to be diagnosed. This requires an appointment with a psychiatrist or a psychologist. These medical professionals speak with the patients suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. The doctor speaks with the person to see if they have been experiencing symptoms for at least a month. To be considered a person medically suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome, patients must have one re-experiencing symptom, three avoidance symptoms, two hyper arousal symptoms, and symptoms that make everyday life much more difficult. Doctors require these symptoms cause extreme distress in social, occupational, and other common areas of function. People who think that they have post traumatic stress syndrome are normally diagnosed by a Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome screening. These professional doctors are very well at looking at symptoms, diagnosing, and assisting with treatments for this harsh mental disorder, known as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Once someone is diagnosed with having Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, their doctor will discuss methods of treatments with them. Normally psychotherapy is suggested. This involves talking about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, medication, or sometimes both. This treatment must be administered by a mental healthcare worker whom is experienced in the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder field. This therapy can occur one on one or in a group setting, and lasts six to twelve weeks. Family and friend support is also encouraged. Workers normally try a variety of treatments, and then find out what works best for that patient. There are different types of this therapy, some include targeting symptoms directly, others focus on certain types of problems, and still sometimes doctors combine these therapies. It is also very crucial concerning treatment for people experiencing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder to stop any ongoing trauma and problems, including panic disorder, depression, substance abuse, and suicidal thoughts. Another type of therapy used commonly is cognitive behavioral therapy, also known as CBT. This type involves exposure. People face their fears, and replace their negative thoughts.
There is also a type called cognitive restricting therapy. This type of therapy helps patients make sense of their bad memories, or feelings. Yet another type of therapy is stress inoculation training. This involves showing patients how to reduce their anxiety that generates from their tragedy. They look at memories in a new healthy way. This type of therapy stresses relaxation skills, and also improves health habits. Still, many doctors suggest the use of medication to control the symptoms experienced in Post Traumatic Syndrome. Different types of medication are recommended. The most commonly recommended medications for treatment are Zoloft and Paxil. These drugs are classified as anti-depressants. These types of drugs are used to control symptoms of sadness, worrying, anger, and numbness. Also, doctors commonly prescribe benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines are used to assist with relaxation and sleep. Another type of drugs used is antipsychotics, which are given to people with common mental disorders. In therapy doctors help patients set goals, and progress slowly towards bigger issues and problems. A less likely to be used treatment is EMDR, eye movements and sounds, unfreezing brain and memory processes.

Some might say the best type of therapy is family. This allows patients to share their experiences with someone consistent in their lives, and someone who can understand and communicate well with them about their thoughts. (Placeholder3)Therapists suggest patients with Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome to help others, and encounter positive challenges in their lives. This brings positive influence into patient’s lives, replacing the negativity.
There are a few different types of places offering help to Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome patients. These treatments people include, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, mental health programs, hospitals, clinics, family services, and support groups. They offer patients a facility and time to speak about their experiences and problems. Overall Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome is a very serious and aggressive mental disorder. If left untreated this mental disorder can lead to devastating effects in a person’s life. It is always very hard when someone has to go through a trying time or event, and understandably problems arise from these events. The positive aspect to this mental disorder is that there are great resources available to patients, and there is a light at the end of this mental disorder’s tunnel. Someone can fully recover from this mental disorder and go on to function stably in everyday life, consisting of a healthy future.