Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) By: McKenzie Kaufman

What is PTSD? PTSD, or Post-traumatic stress disorder is a type of anxiety disorder that usually occurs after an experience or traumatic event that is seen as life threatening. Hurricane Katrina, World Trade Center bombings, The Holocaust, War in Iraq.

Symptoms Repeated “reliving” of the event Avoidance Arousal Flashbacks, dreams, and physical reactions to situations that feel similar. Avoidance Emotional numbing, detachment, lack of interest in normal activities, sense of having no future. Arousal Difficulty concentrating, hyper-vigilance, outbursts of anger, insomnia. Other symptoms include: Dizziness, palpitations, paleness, agitation.

Etiology PTSD can occur immediately after a major traumatic event or may take up to six months. Can occur in anyone at any age. Cause is unknown, but psychological, genetic, physical, and social factors are involved. PTSD changes the body’s response to stress and it affects the stress hormones and chemicals that carry information between the nerves (neurotransmitters). Having been exposed to trauma in the past may increase the risk of PTSD.

Diagnosis There are no tests that can be done to diagnose PTSD. The diagnosis is made based on a certain set of symptoms that continue after you've had extreme trauma. Psychiatric and physical exams may be conducted to rule out other illnesses.

Treatments Treatment aims to reduce symptoms by encouraging recollection of the event, expressing feelings, and gaining some sense of control over the experience. People with PTSD may need to treat depression, alcohol or substance abuse, or related medical conditions before addressing symptoms of PTSD. Behavioral therapy is used to treat avoidance symptoms. This can include being exposed to the object that triggers your symptoms until you become used to it. Medicines that act on the nervous system can help reduce anxiety and other symptoms of PTSD. Prozac, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI’S), antidepressants.

Prognosis The best outcome depends on how soon the symptoms develop after the trauma, and on how quickly you get diagnosed and treated.

Comorbidity When PTSD is prevalent, other disorders are likely to be found. Depression, substance abuse, anxiety

General Statistics  70 % of adults in the U.S have experienced some type of traumatic event, at least once in their lifetimes. That’s 223.4 million people. Up to 20% of these people go on to develop PTSD. As of today, that’s 31.3 million people who have had or are struggling with PTSD. An estimated 1 out of 10 women develops PTSD; women are about twice as likely as men. Among people who are victims of a severe traumatic experience 60- 80% will develop PTSD. 50% of all outpatient mental health patients have PTSD. Somewhat higher rates of this disorder have been found to occur in African Americans, Hispanics, and Native Americans, as compared to Caucasians in the United States.

Combat Statistics In the past year alone the number of diagnosed cases in the military jumped 50%- and that’s just diagnosed cases. Studies estimate that 1 in every 5 military personnel returning from Iraq and Afghanistan has PTSD. 20 % of the soldiers who have been deployed in the past 6 years have PTSD. That’s over 300,000. 17% of combat troops are women; 71% of female military personnel develop PTSD due to sexual assault within the ranks.

Who has been diagnosed? John McCain John Bradley Marshal Ney James Blake Miller (“The Marlboro Man”) Holocaust survivors Many war veterans

Works Cited Andrew, B., & Ipser, J. (n.d.). Post-traumatic stress disorder. Google Health. Retrieved November 18, 2010, from https://health.google.com/health/ref/Post-traumatic+stress+disorder DeAngelis, T. (2008). PTSD treatments grow in evidence, effectiveness. American Psychological Association (APA). Retrieved November 18, 2010, from http://www.apa.org/monitor/jan08 Kilpatrick, D. G., Saunders, B. E., Acierno, R., Ruggiero, K. J., Resnick, H. S., & Best, C. L. (2003). Violence and Risk of PTSD, Major Depression, Substance Abuse/Dependence, and Comorbidity: Results From the National Survey of Adolescents. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 71(4), 692-700. Myers, D. G. (2007). Psychology eighth edition in modules (8th ed.). New York: Worth Publishers.