What Is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder?

First recognized decades ago, post traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is only now getting the attention of science in learning how to effectively identify and treat the disorder. It is most frequently observed in soldiers during times of war and was thus initially known by the names ‘shell shock’ and ‘war fatigue,’ but PTSD is not limited to the military. In the United States alone, as many as a million people suffer from the disorder.

Causes of PTSD

PTSD can affect anyone who has gone through a traumatic event. Events that cause PTSD are frequently life threatening and instill a sense of horror or helplessness in the individual. These types of events cause changes within the brain that alter how the brain deals with certain stimuli, particularly stressful stimuli. These changes cause anxiety attacks that negatively affect a person’s ability to live a normal life and cause damage to friendships, careers and families.

Diagnosing PTSD

PTSD is diagnosed by a licensed psychologist who interviews the patient to identify key symptoms of the disorder. These include details of the traumatic event and how that event was experienced by the patient. For example, the psychologist determines if the patient re-experiences the event in flashbacks or dreams. It is also important to learn how the experience has affected the patient’s daily life. PTSD causes people to avoid situations and places which recall the traumatic event. If these symptoms cause significant impairment and last for more than a month, then a psychologist may classify the disorder as PTSD and recommend treatment.

Treating PTSD

PTSD is treated with therapy, medication or a combination of both. Researchers have found that talking about the event and receiving support from family and peers can significantly improve a patient’s ability to cope with the memory of traumatic events. Meanwhile, new medications are able to target the areas of the brain that create the anxiety response and suppress their activity.

For many years, those with post traumatic stress disorder were not only burdened with the memories of the violent event but also with the inability to identify what was going wrong with them. Today, thanks to the work of researchers and scientists, millions of people are able to get the help that they need to return to regular life.