Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Vanessa Theissen Alyssa Oevering

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Definition: An emotional condition that can develop after a traumatic event, particularly an event that involves actual or threatened death or seriously bodily injury to oneself or others and that creates intense feelings of fear, helplessness, or horror.

Who does it affect? Post Traumatic Stress Disorder affects about 7.7 million American Adults, but it can occur at any age, including childhood. Women are twice as likely as men to develop PTSD. There is some evidence that susceptibility to the disorder may run in families.

Who does it affect? Anyone who was a victim, witnessed or has been exposed to a life-threatening situation. Survivors of violent acts, such as domestic violence, rape, sexual, physical and/or verbal abuse or physical attacks. Survivors of unexpected dangerous events, such as a car accident, natural disaster, or terrorist attack. Combat veterans or civilians exposed to war. People who have learned of or experienced an unexpected or sudden death of a friend or relative. Emergency responders who helped victims during traumatic events. Children who are neglected and/or abused (physically, sexually or verbally).

Case Study 1 Maria was a normal, happy 15 year old girl. She was on her way home from school one day and was attacked by a group of men. They took turns screaming at her and then they each raped her. Finally, they tried to stab her to death and would almost have certainly succeeded had the police not arrived on the scene. For months after this horrifying event, Maria was not herself. She was unable to keep the memories of the attack out of her mind. At night, she would have terrible dreams of rape, and would wake up screaming. She had difficulty walking back from school because the route took her past the site of the attack, so she would have to go the long way home. She felt as though her emotions were numbed, and as though she had no real future. She felt “dirty” and somehow shamed by the event, and she resolved not to tell close friends about the event, in case they too rejected her.

Possible Symptoms Symptoms may include re-experiencing of the trauma either through upsetting thoughts and memories or, in extreme cases through a flashback in which the trauma is relived at full emotional intensity. People experiencing PTSD often report a general feeling of emotional numbness Anxiety and extreme awareness Avoid reminders of the trauma Hyper arousal

Symptoms… It is normal to experience these reactions to some extent following trauma, but they are not considered to be symptoms of PTSD unless they last for at least one month, or they have a delayed onset. People suffering from PTSD can also suffer from other psychological problems, especially depression, anxiety, and sometimes drug abuse.

Characteristics of PTSD Recurrent and persistent recollections of the traumatic event. Recurrent dreams of the event Acting or feeling as if the traumatic event is happening all over again. Intense distress related to internal or external events that remind one of the traumatic occurrence. Efforts to avoid thoughts, feelings, or conversations associated with the trauma Efforts to avoid activities, places, or people that might be associated with the trauma.

Characteristics continued… An inability to remember important aspects of the traumatic event. Decreased interest or participation in certain activities. Feelings of detachment or estrangement from others. The inability to have certain feelings. A sense that time is short, and there is no future. Difficulty falling asleep and/or staying asleep. Angry outbursts Difficulty concentrating Hyper-vigilance.

Case Study 2 Joe saw a good deal of active combat during his time in the military. Some incidents in particular had never left his mind - like the horrifying sight of Gary, a close comrade and friend, being blown-up by a land-mine. Even when he returned to civilian life, these images haunted him. Scenes from battle would run repeatedly through his mind and disrupt his focus on work. Filing up at the gas station, for example, the smell of diesel immediately rekindled certain horrific memories. At other times, he had difficulty remembering the past — as if some events were too painful to allow back in his mind. He found himself avoiding socializing with old military buddies, as this would inevitably trigger a new round of memories. His girlfriend complained that he was always pent-up and irritable - as if he were on guard, and Joe noticed that at night he had difficulty relaxing and falling asleep. When he heard loud noises, such as a truck back-firing he literally jumped, as if he were readying himself for combat. He began to drink heavily.

Treatment of PTSD PTSD can be treated with success. Treatment and support are critical to recovery. Although the memories will not go away, survivors can learn how to manage responses to these memories and the feelings they bring up. Frequency and intensity of reactions can also be reduced.

Treatment continued… Psychotherapy- there are different types: Cognitive behavioral therapy- helps change the thought patterns that keeps patients from overcoming anxiety. Exposure Therapy- helps confront the memories and situations that cause distress. Cognitive processing therapy- helps process emotions about the traumatic event and learn how to challenge thinking patterns. Psychodynamic psychotherapy- focuses on identifying current life situations that set off traumatic memories and worsen PTSD symptoms.

Treatment continued… Eye movement Desensitization and Reprocessing- the patient thinks about the trauma while the therapist waves a hand or baton in front of them. They follow the movements with their eyes. This helps the brain process memories and reduce negative feelings about the memories. Couples counseling and family therapy- helps couples and families understand each other.

Treatment continued… Medicine, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, are used to treat the symptoms of PTSD. It lowers anxiety and depression and helps with other symptoms. Sedatives can help with sleep problems. Anti-anxiety medication may also help. Support groups, led by a mental health professional, involves groups of four to 12 people with similar issues to talk about. Talking to other survivors of trauma can be a helpful step in recovery.

Role of the professional When a client first comes in, professionals do an initial assessment to determine if the client is experiencing PTSD. Professionals help people with PTSD by helping them accept that the trauma happened to them, without being overwhelmed by memories of the trauma. Professionals help clients re-establish a sense of safety and control in their life. (Helps feel strong and secure enough to confront the reality of what has happened.)

Role of the professional… Professionals help loved ones be a part of the recovery by including them in creating the treatment plan Most importantly, the professional makes the client with PTSD feel like they are the ones making decisions and overcoming the disorder. Professionals also help determine the best solution for treatment, whether it be counseling, medication, or other methods that we talked about previously.

Sources Cited… Cohen, H. (2006, April, 8th). Two Stories of PTDS. Retrieved January 31, 2009, from Psyc Central, Learn. Share. Grow Web site: http://psychcentral.com/lib/2006/two-stories-of-ptsd/ Flanagin, C. (2006, August, 2nd). Vol. 296, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Retrieved January 31, 2009, from The Journal of the American Medical Association Web site: http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/296/5/614 (2008, April 2). National Institute of Mental Health. Retrieved January 24, 2009, from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/index.shtml Dryden-Edwards, R. (2009). MedicineNet. Retrieved January 24, 2009, from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, http://www.medicinenet.com/posttraumatic_stress_disorder/article.htm Yule, W (1999). Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Archives of Disease in Childhood, 80, Retrieved 1/1/09, from http://adc.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/80/2/107#Top

Sources Cited… (2007/12/05). Factsheet: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Retrieved February 1, 2009, from Mental Health America Web site: http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/ptsd NIMH, (2008, June 26). Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Retrieved January 27, 2009, from National Institute of Mental Health Web site:www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/anxiety-disorders/post-traumatic-stress-disorder.shtml