Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, is a psychological and physical condition, brought on by a stressful or frightening experience.
What are the symptoms?
The symptoms of PTSD can begin immediately after the traumatic event, or, can develop more gradually over a period of time. The psychological symptoms generally include recurring thoughts of the event and flashbacks, feelings of detachment and avoidance, irritability and hypervigilance. Physical symptoms, including nausea, headaches, sweating and chest pains may also accompany the psychological problems of PTSD. Many patients also experience depression or anxiety and misuse alcohol or drugs as part of their condition (See http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Post-traumatic-stress-disorder/Pages/Introduction.aspx)
How can PTSD be treated?
There are many treatment options available to PTSD sufferers. The treatments cannot erase the memories of the traumatic event, but instead, they aim to ease the symptoms of PTSD.
Talking therapies, such as Cognitive Behavior Therapy and counseling have proven to be effective in treating PTSD. These treatments allow the patient to verbally express his/her trauma, identify negative thought patterns and learn to relax. One of these treatments, Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing, (EMDR), has proved especially successful in treating PTSD. In EMDR the patient is asked to think about the traumatic event they have experienced whilst following, with their eyes, the hand movements of the therapist. Although it is unclear why EMDR has been so successful, it has been suggested that it may desensitize the patient’s thought patterns in relation to the trauma that he/she has experienced.
Medication is another treatment possibility for PTSD. This includes the use of anti-depressants, particularly Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, which can ease symptoms even if the patient is not suffering from depression. Benzodiazepines can also help to reduce anxiety and improve poor sleep.
Is it possible to identify at-risk groups?
Although it remains unclear as to why people develop PTSD, there are some groups who may be more vulnerable than others. Based on recent studies, the evidence suggests that PTSD can develop in:
1 in 5 fire-fighters
1 in 3 teenage survivors of car crashes
1 in 2 female rape victims
2 in 3 prisoners of war.
(See http://www.patient.co.uk/health/Post-Traumatic-Stress-Disorder.htm)
Children who are abused or witness road traffic accidents are another at-risk PTSD group. Deployed military personnel, who are likely to witness traumatic events as part of their work, can also go on to develop PTSD.
Can PTSD be prevented?
This is a difficult question to answer without understanding the causes of PTSD. However, one thing is certain; when a person experiences trauma, immediate support is crucial, whether this comes from family and friends or a professional. Joining a self-help group and sharing experiences with others can be an important tool in recovery and in preventing PTSD.
K M Jones is a content writer for Online Nursing Schools who gives advice on the pursuit of education and living a healthy life. In her free time she enjoys blogging, reading and movies.
