| A form of anxiety disorder, post-traumatic | | | | Other problems can sometime become associated |
| stress disorder (PTSD) is sometimes formed | | | | with PTSD, e.g. alcoholism, substance abuse, |
| after someone has experienced a very | | | | co-occurring depression and other types of |
| terrifying ordeal, usually where serious | | | | anxiety disorder. |
| physical damage could or did occur to the | | | | |
| person involved. | | | | Gastrointestinal complaints, dizziness, |
| | | | problems with the patient's immune system, |
| Events that can trigger PTSD to occur include | | | | headaches or chest pains, amongst numerous |
| violent attacks on people e.g. muggings, | | | | other possible bodily ailments are not |
| rape, human caused or natural disasters, and | | | | unusual. |
| military combat. Once someone has PTSD they | | | | |
| often find it to be hugely disabling. | | | | What is vital is that quick, effective |
| | | | diagnosis and treatment of these conditions |
| Large quantities of research has led to a | | | | occurs, so as to provide the best chance of |
| much better understanding of how the brain | | | | treatment success. |
| and body are affected by PTSD, various | | | | |
| treatments are now available. | | | | Upon diagnosis the sufferer is usually |
| | | | referred to a mental health professional that |
| In terms of PTSD symptoms, those affected | | | | has specialized for years in dealing with |
| tend to re-experience the worst parts of | | | | patients displaying the particular disorder |
| their horrible past in the form of memory | | | | in question. |
| flashbacks and nightmares/ frightening | | | | |
| thoughts. Certain objects or events, e.g. | | | | Individuals more open to developing PTSD are |
| anniversaries, that in some way remind the | | | | those that have suffered abuse when a child |
| sufferer of these dark thoughts can spark | | | | or people who've undergone highly traumatic |
| these replays. Another symptom of PTSD is a | | | | experiences. More and more factors that can |
| numbness to emotions, depression, poor | | | | lead to PTSD are being found by researchers |
| sleeping ability, anxiety, outbursts of anger | | | | every day. |
| and general irritability. Powerful emotions | | | | |
| of guilt are also common. The majority of | | | | What was once believed to be a sign of |
| those affected by PTSD try to stay clear of | | | | recovery, emotional numbness, is now |
| anything that may remind them of their past | | | | considered more likely to be a factor |
| ordeals. If symptoms like these endure for | | | | promoting PTSD development. |
| over one month PTSD can then be diagnosed. | | | | |
| | | | New research has identified the amygdala, a |
| PTSD can affect any age, from children right | | | | small yet highly complex structure within our |
| through to the elderly. Symptoms are likely | | | | brains controlling our bodies fear response, |
| to show themselves within three months of a | | | | as being abnormally activated in cases of |
| particular traumatic event. | | | | PTSD. |
| | | | |
| Around 3.6% of U.S. adults between the ages | | | | The memory section of our brains, the |
| of 18-54, 5.2 million people in all, suffer | | | | hippocampus, may be functioning abnormally in |
| from PTSD in any given year. War zones have | | | | association with PTSD, providing the various |
| been visited by roughly 30% of men and women | | | | re-living of past nightmarish events. |
| with PTSD. The Vietnam War saw one million | | | | |
| veterans develop this anxiety disorder. | | | | PTSD often manifests its self through unusual |
| Soldiers that fought in the Gulf War also had | | | | levels of particular hormones. Cortisol has |
| a high number, estimated at up to 8%. | | | | often been seen in lower than usual |
| | | | quantities whilst norepinephrine and |
| Once apparent this illnesses duration and | | | | epinephrine has been found at abnormally high |
| severity are variable, lasting from just six | | | | levels. |
| months to many years. | | | | |
| | | | Natural pain-relieving opiates released when |
| Through research effective treatments such as | | | | people feel they are in danger may be what |
| those involving cognitive-behavioral therapy, | | | | contribute to emotional distancing. These |
| exposure therapy and group therapy have been | | | | chemicals are released for longer than normal |
| realized. This treatment works by getting the | | | | durations, often lasting after the terrifying |
| person affected to repetitively re-live their | | | | event has taken place. |
| nightmares, in a controlled environment, with | | | | |
| the aim of them becoming more able to deal | | | | Research into improved understandings of how |
| with and leave behind the damaging memories. | | | | neurotransmitter systems operate with |
| Medications have been found to lessen PTSD | | | | memories of high significance may prove |
| symptoms of anxiety and depression whilst | | | | fruitful with reducing the early development |
| furthering sleep. Trauma-specific treatments | | | | of PTSD via psychological interventions or |
| are currently being worked on. | | | | medications. |
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