Post traumatic Stress Disorder Information
In psychology, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is defined as an anxiety disorder that may occur as a result of interaction with traumatic event. For the first time during war veterans, post traumatic stress disorder receives mass attention. When an individual is experiencing post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), it means somehow his or her physical or psychological existence has been threatened.
An individual having PTSD may be a victim of rape, accident, disaster, child abuse, tortured, mugging or anything that offers a fear-provoking stimuli. In this article, let us focus on the important information on post traumatic stress disorder including its prevalence, symptoms and treatment.
Prevalence
To date, over 7.7 million American adults are affected by post traumatic stress disorder. There is no specific age for the onset of this anxiety disorder. It can even occur during childhood. Although PTSD may occur to both male and female, there is still a gender difference, female are at higher risk for developing PTSD compared to male.
In fact, the likelihood of this disorder in women (10.4%) is twice than men (5%). Research has shown that this disorder may have been linked to genetic predisposition as well. In most of the cases, PTSD is overlapped with certain other conditions like depression, other form of anxiety disorders or substance abuse.
Symptoms
Since the experience is truly personalized, few symptoms may vary from person to person. Common symptoms may involve emotional numbness; lack of interest; being easily frightened; poor quality of sleep; lack of concentration; recurrent, dramatic, distressing memories; flashbacks; intense fear about personal safety without any apparent cause; not being able to explain the problem.
Many individuals with post traumatic stress disorder may experience nightmares at the time they are sleeping. Not everyone develops full-blown symptoms of PTSD just after the incident, in fact, the problem progresses within 3 months and emerges even after long years. Even an ordinary incident may trigger out the symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder.
Treatment
Post traumatic stress disorder can be treated with a combination of medication and psychotherapy. Medications once started can not be terminated abruptly. Abrupt termination may lead to severe complications on time. In order to improve the effectiveness, individuals with post traumatic stress disorder must join self-help support group, where he or she will be able to receive support from people suffering from the same complication.
Different stress management techniques like relaxation, breathing therapy, meditation, yoga can offer benefit. Recovery from anxiety disorder of any sort including PTSD needs sensitive cooperation from family members. So, if you have someone in your family going through the same crisis, take action now to offer a friendly hand.
