Explaining PTSD
Defining PTSD
Medline Plus defines
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder as:A psychological reaction that occurs after experiencing a highly stressing
event (as wartime combat, physical violence, or a natural disaster) outside the
range of normal human experience and that is usually characterized by depression,
anxiety, flashbacks, recurrent nightmares, and avoidance of reminders of the
event -- abbreviation PTSD; called also delayed-stress disorder, delayed-stress
syndrome, post-traumatic stress syndrome.
(http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/mplusdictionary.html)
The National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder provides the following lay
definition of PTSD:
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that can
occur after you have been through a traumatic event. A traumatic event is
something horrible and scary that you see or that happens to you. During this
type of event, you think that your life or others' lives are in danger. You may
feel afraid or feel that you have no control over what is happening.
(http://www.ncptsd.va.gov/ncmain/ncdocs/fact_shts/fs_faqs_on_ptsd.html)
Symptoms of PTSD
Three main types of PTSD symptoms include “re-experiencing the traumatic event,
avoiding reminders of the trauma, and symptoms of hyper arousal or heightened
anxiety.”
(http://www.helpguide.org/mental/post_traumatic_stress_disorder_symptoms_treatment.htm)
“People with PTSD have persistent frightening thoughts and memories of their
ordeal and feel emotionally numb, especially with people they were once close
to. They may experience sleep problems, feel detached or numb, or be easily startled.”
(http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/index.shtml)
According to the National Center for PTSD Fact Sheet, there are four symptom groups:
1. Reliving the event (re-experiencing symptoms):
Bad memories of the traumatic event can come back at any time. You may feel
the same fear and horror you did when the event took place. You may have
nightmares. You even may feel like you're going through the event again.
This is called a flashback. Sometimes there is a trigger: a sound or sight
that causes you to relive the event.
2. Avoiding situations that remind you of the event:
You may try to avoid situations or people that trigger memories of the
traumatic event. You may even avoid talking or thinking about the event.
3. Feeling keyed up (also known as hyperarousal):
You may be jittery, or always alert and on the lookout for danger. This
is known as hyperarousal. It can cause you to:
Suddenly become angry or irritable
Have a hard time sleeping
Have trouble concentrating
Fear for your safety and always feel on guard
Be very startled when someone surprises you
4. Other common problems associated with PTSD:
Drinking or drug problems
Feelings of hopelessness, shame, or despair
Employment problems
Relationships problems including divorce and violence
Physical symptoms
(http://www.ncptsd.va.gov/ncmain/ncdocs/fact_shts/fs_what_is_ptsd.html)
Explanation of Development
Though medical researchers are still grappling with understanding PTSD, it is
clear that there is a physiological explanation for PTSD. Certain centers of
the brain which regulate fear become over-activated under conditions of severe
stress, leading to symptoms of anxiety and other forms of distress. At the same
time, trauma can cause problems with the memory center of the brain, which may
affect one's memory and interfere with normal patterns for remembering and
forgetting certain traumatic events. There is hope as well as some evidence
that the brain can return to greater normalcy o function over time with
appropriate treatment.
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