Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an intense
emotional and psychological response to an event that was very disturbing or
stressful (traumatic). It can develop after a person has experienced or
witnessed a traumatic event, such as rape, assault, natural disaster, accident,
war, torture, or death. Post-traumatic stress also may be caused by ongoing
physical or sexual abuse. Post-traumatic stress may develop immediately
following a traumatic event or may occur months or even years later.
The type of event alone cannot predict whether you will develop
post-traumatic stress. The development of PTSD also depends on your response to
the event. For example, many people experience an event such as war, but not
all of those people will have post-traumatic stress. Post-traumatic stress
depends on each person's ability to cope with stress, as well as other factors
such as previous life experience, personality, and support from others.
Sometimes it is hard to connect post-traumatic stress symptoms with the
traumatic event. A person suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder may
need help to make sense of the event to reduce the devastating emotional
impact. This may require long-term therapy or medicine.
Early
treatment following a disturbing or stressful event may help prevent PTSD and
other related problems, such as alcohol or drug abuse. Early treatment includes
quickly recognizing and acknowledging the traumatic event, talking about your
feelings soon after the event, and being reassured that what you are feeling is
normal.
Symptoms of post-traumatic stress may include:
- Persistent and painful reexperiencing of the
event through dreams (nightmares) or while awake (flashbacks).
- An
inability to feel or express emotions toward family, friends, and loved ones
(emotional numbness).
- Avoiding any reminders of the
event.
- Being easily angered or aroused, on edge, or easily startled
(hyperarousal).
Post-traumatic stress can occur at any age but is most common
in young adults. Rape or assault is the most common cause of post-traumatic
stress in women. The most common cause of post-traumatic stress in men is
combat experience.
Post-traumatic stress is seen more frequently
in people who are single, divorced, widowed, poor, or socially isolated.
Post-traumatic stress is less likely to develop in people who have strong
social support networks.
Symptoms of post-traumatic stress can
occur along with another mental health problem, such as
depression or a
panic disorder.
Counseling and medicines
such as antidepressants and antianxiety drugs can be helpful for people with
post-traumatic stress disorder.
