Severe and prolonged trauma can cause illnesses
Researchers are attempting to understand trauma and mental illnesses, like Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
This article is a summary of my research on PTSD, especially from literature of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder can affect many different people, from survivors of rape or sexual assault, survivors of natural disasters or a terrorist attack, victims of violent crimes, concentration camp survivors, to military service men and women.
Definition of trauma
PTSD includes both an event that threatens injury or death to self or others and a response to those events that involve persistent fear, helplessness, or horror. The severity of traumatic events and duration of exposure are critical risk factors for developing PTSD.
Experiencing traumatic events can change the way our brains work. Especially with severe or repeated exposure, the brain can be affected in such a way that makes a person feel like the event is happening again and again. This is one of several ways that trauma can affect someone far into the future.
This repeated experience of the traumatic event can prevent healing and keep a person stuck in a pattern that may induce anxiety, sleeplessness, anger, or an increased possibility of substance abuse.
There is a difference between PTSD and common everyday experiences that may overwhelm an individual, such as feeling “traumatized” by a presentation at work or having to dance in public.
Frequency of occurrence
Roughly 10 percent of women and 5 percent of men are diagnosed with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in their lifetimes. Many others will experience some adverse effects from trauma at some point in their lives.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, about one in 30 adults in the United States experience PTSD in a given year – and that risk is much higher in veterans of war.
Symptoms
Some symptoms of PTSD include:
Recovery and coping
In the aftermath of a traumatic event, individual choices can make a difference.
brain, and body. People living with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and their families should ask their health care providers about the latest developments and treatment options that flow from recent research.
Information resources
For more information about Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, visit: Disaster Psychiatry Outreach at www.disasterpsych.org, International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies at www.istss.org, NAMI’s Veterans Resource Center at www.nami.org/veterans, National Center for PTSD at www.ncptsd.va.gov, National Center for Trauma-Informed Care at www.samhsa.gov/nctic, National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) at www.nimh.nih.gov, Psychiatric Service Dog Society (PSDS) at www.psychdog.org, The Trauma Center at Justice Resource Institute at www.traumacenter.org, Trauma-specific Interventions at http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/nctic/healing.asp, and The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs at www.ptsd.va.gov.
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Article published by Jerrilene Washington, Ed.D., a retired associate professor from the University of Louisiana at Monroe and the president of the Ruston chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, NAMI Ruston.
This article is a summary of my research on PTSD, especially from literature of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder can affect many different people, from survivors of rape or sexual assault, survivors of natural disasters or a terrorist attack, victims of violent crimes, concentration camp survivors, to military service men and women.
Definition of trauma
PTSD includes both an event that threatens injury or death to self or others and a response to those events that involve persistent fear, helplessness, or horror. The severity of traumatic events and duration of exposure are critical risk factors for developing PTSD.
Experiencing traumatic events can change the way our brains work. Especially with severe or repeated exposure, the brain can be affected in such a way that makes a person feel like the event is happening again and again. This is one of several ways that trauma can affect someone far into the future.
This repeated experience of the traumatic event can prevent healing and keep a person stuck in a pattern that may induce anxiety, sleeplessness, anger, or an increased possibility of substance abuse.
There is a difference between PTSD and common everyday experiences that may overwhelm an individual, such as feeling “traumatized” by a presentation at work or having to dance in public.
Frequency of occurrence
Roughly 10 percent of women and 5 percent of men are diagnosed with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in their lifetimes. Many others will experience some adverse effects from trauma at some point in their lives.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, about one in 30 adults in the United States experience PTSD in a given year – and that risk is much higher in veterans of war.
Symptoms
Some symptoms of PTSD include:
- Recurrent nightmares or flashbacks,
- Physical reactions to triggers that symbolize or resemble the event,
- Avoidance of activities, places, or people that remind the person of the trauma,
- Feelings of detachment or estrangement from others,
- Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, and
- Exaggerated startle response.
Recovery and coping
In the aftermath of a traumatic event, individual choices can make a difference.
- Support and compassion are critical in the immediate aftermath of a traumatic event. Some people will want to talk about the event frequently, while others will find it troubling to discuss the trauma. Friends and family should encourage the individual to seek assistance in dealing with the trauma.
- There are many different kinds of psychotherapy in the field of mental health. People living with PTSD respond better to select, structured interventions.
- Joining a group of people who have been through similar experiences can uplift and support an individual who is feeling alone and isolated with upsetting and traumatic memories and symptoms. Groups can lessen shame and provide community support as well as reduce feelings of helplessness.
- The use of service dogs as forms of therapy for people living with PTSD, especially for veterans, is becoming increasingly common. A service dog is by a veteran’s side 24 hours a day to help navigate daily stressors.
- There is no one medication that will treat all cases of PTSD. It is recommended that psychotherapy and medication be used together to treat PTSD and reduce symptoms.
brain, and body. People living with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and their families should ask their health care providers about the latest developments and treatment options that flow from recent research.
Information resources
For more information about Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, visit: Disaster Psychiatry Outreach at www.disasterpsych.org, International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies at www.istss.org, NAMI’s Veterans Resource Center at www.nami.org/veterans, National Center for PTSD at www.ncptsd.va.gov, National Center for Trauma-Informed Care at www.samhsa.gov/nctic, National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) at www.nimh.nih.gov, Psychiatric Service Dog Society (PSDS) at www.psychdog.org, The Trauma Center at Justice Resource Institute at www.traumacenter.org, Trauma-specific Interventions at http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/nctic/healing.asp, and The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs at www.ptsd.va.gov.
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Article published by Jerrilene Washington, Ed.D., a retired associate professor from the University of Louisiana at Monroe and the president of the Ruston chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, NAMI Ruston.