1. MS. KIERNAN ENGLISH 10R POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD)

2. DEFINITION OF PTSD An anxiety disorder that a person may develop after experiencing or witnessing an extreme, overwhelming traumatic event during which he/she felt intense fear, helplessness, or horror. Acute PTSD: Symptoms last less than 3 months Chronic PTSD: Symptoms last more than 3 months

3. CRITERIA Person has experienced events that involve actual or threatened death, serious injury, or a threat to one’s physical well-being Person’s response involved intense fear, helplessness, or horror

4. SYMPTOM: RECURRING MEMORIES Unavoidable echo of the event Vivid flashbacks or hallucinations Feeling as if the moment is happening again Ex.) Survivor of plane crash feels a falling sensation, hears sound of impact Some recollections may be of regrettable acts made by victim of PTSD

5. SYMPTOM: EMOTIONAL NUMBING Effort to avoid thoughts or feelings associated with trauma Effort to avoid people, places, activities, or situations that arouse recollection of trauma Psychological amnesia (inability to recall) Feelings of detachment from others Diminished interest in activities

6. SYMPTOM: HYPERAROUSAL Heightened anxiety, panic, fear Difficulty falling asleep/staying asleep Irritability; outbursts of anger (can progress into rage) Difficulty concentrating Paranoia