Roberta Schweitzer, PhD, RN, FCN

 What is PTSD?  Symptoms of PTSD  PTSD causes and factors  Getting help for PTSD  Types of treatment for PTSD  PTSD and the family

 7.8% of Americans experience PTSD ◦ Women – 10.4% ◦ Men – 3.6%  30% of service members in military (men & women) have chance of developing PTSD

 A traumatic disorder that can occur after witnessing a traumatic event  Person believes that their life or lives of others are in danger  During event person feels intense fear or feel as if have no control over the situation

 Three main types of symptoms ◦ Re-experiencing traumatic event ◦ Avoiding reminders of the trauma ◦ Increased anxiety and emotional arousal

 Re-experiencing the traumatic event ◦ Intrusive, upsetting memories of the event ◦ Flashbacks ◦ Nightmares ◦ Feelings of intense distress when reminded ◦ Intense physical reactions to reminders of event

 Avoidance and numbing ◦ Avoiding activities, places, thoughts, or feelings that remind of the trauma ◦ Inability to remember important aspects of trauma ◦ Loss of interest in activities and life in general ◦ Feeling detached from others and emotionally numb ◦ Sense of limited future

 Increased anxiety and emotional arousal ◦ Difficulty falling or staying asleep ◦ Irritability or outbursts of anger ◦ Difficulty concentrating ◦ Hypervigilance ◦ Feeling jumpy and easily startled

 Other common symptoms ◦ Anger & irritability ◦ Guilt, shame, self-blame ◦ Substance abuse ◦ Mistrust & betrayal ◦ Depression & hopelessness ◦ Suicidal thoughts and feelings ◦ Feeling alienated or alone ◦ Physical aches & pains

 Normal response to trauma becomes PTSD when person becomes “stuck”  Happens hours, days, or years after event  Lowered quality of life in person ◦ Traumatic symptoms of PTSD don’t allow person to function properly in certain situations

 Why seek help? ◦ Early treatment is better ◦ PTSD can change family life ◦ PTSD can be related to other help problems

 Relieves symptoms by helping you deal with trauma that’s been experienced  In treatment you ◦ Explore thoughts & feelings about trauma ◦ Work through feelings of guilt, etc. ◦ Learn how to cope with & control intrusive memories ◦ Address problems PTSD has caused in life and relationships

 Trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy ◦ CBT – carefully & gradually “exposing” yourself to thoughts, feelings, and situations that remind of the trauma  Family therapy ◦ Helps loved ones understand what you’re going through and help family communicate better and work through problems  Medications – relieve secondary sx of anxiety & depression  EMDR – Eye movement desensitization & reprocessing

 Counselor or Therapist  Services for veterans through VA  Self-help treatment – handout  For the community - website mentalhealthfirstaid.org