Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a recurrent emotional reaction to a terrifying, uncontrollable or life-threatening event. It is a real illness and treatment can help. Post-traumatic stress disorder is characterized by intense fear, a sense of helplessness, or horror. This disorder is a very common problem that affects individuals after going through a horrifying experience. PTSD or Post-traumatic stress disorder is marked by clear biological changes as well as psychological symptoms.
Stress
PTSD is a stress disorder that can be characterized as an emotional roller coaster. Stress affects your body as much as food and exercise. Stress can affect both your body and your mind. Stress affects virtually everyone at some time in their life. The difference between ordinary stress and the level of stress that produces PTSD as a Lingering aftereffect is the sheer intensity of the traumatizing event.
Symptoms
Symptoms such as profound shock, anxiety and despair are often manifested in victims Symptoms include, but are not limited to, avoidance, anxiety, nightmares, irritability and detachment. Symptoms of the condition relate most closely to those of severe stress or depression, and tend to include signs of severe anxiety and/or detachment. Symptoms usually begin within 3 months of the event, although a delay of months or years may occur before symptoms appear. Symptoms of PTSD include flashbacks of the traumatic event, nightmares of the traumatic event, emotional numbness, poor sleeping patterns depression and/or irritability or outbursts of anger. Depression
Depression is a common product of this inability to resolve painful feelings. Depression, disassociation, or other mental health problems can develop as a result of this terrifying experience. Depression, alcohol or other substance abuse, or other anxiety disorders frequently co-occur with PTSD. Depression is often treated with medications, but psychotherapy can play a central role in treatment. Depression can be treated in many different ways. The most common are once per week counseling sessions, anti-depressant medications and group therapy on a weekly or bi-weekly basis.
Veterans
Veterans developed disturbing psychological symptoms and impaired functioning after every major war. During World War II, the diagnosis of "combat fatigue" was given. After the Vietnam War, returning veterans were diagnosed with post-Vietnam stress disorder and this diagnosis then became more generalized into Post-traumatic stress disorder without the mention of any one combat situation. The syndrome then become apparent in non-combat or war situations, but it was seen to occur in many situations that were simply beyond the person's ability to tolerate the accompanying stress. Veterans for America is working to bring the facts to our elected officials so that appropriate treatment can be provided. One study examined the health status of 4,462 male Vietnam-era veterans 30 years after their military service and it was found that war veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were more likely to have metabolic syndromes than veterans without PTSD,
Propranolol
Studies have indicated that Propranolol, a beta-blocker, whose brand name is Inderal, reduces consolidation of emotional memory and so this drug has been tried with persons immediately after an event that could leave residual symptoms of PTSD. The medication was found to some degree prevent the development of the whole full-blown PTSD syndrome. In reported initial trials. Much research though still has to be done to confirm this medications' effectiveness in treating or preventing PTSD.
Women are more Vulnerable to PTSD
Other important facts about PTSD include the estimate of 5 million people who suffer from PTSD at any one time in the United States and the fact that women are twice as likely to develop PTSD as men. The underlying rationalale for this difference is still not understood but may help researchers understand the syndrome better in the future.
Diet and Lifestyle
Persons with any form of illness are always encouraged to maintain the best possible diet, nutrition and lifestyle. While this regimen will certainly not cure PTSD, a healthy lifestyle and diet may help in reducing the intensity of symptoms as the body becomes more resilient.
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