By: Daniel Urzua

 PTSD is an anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to a terrifying event in which grave physical harm occurred. Basically, it tends to happen a traumatic experience or event.

 Flashbacks of the event  Dreaming of the event repeatedly  Acting or feeling like the event is reoccurring  Avoiding or denying to speak about what happened in the event.  Avoiding people, places and things that bring back thoughts of the event. DSM-IV-TR Criteria A. The person has been exposed to a traumatic event in which both of the following were present:

DSM-IV-TR Criteria A. The person has been exposed to a traumatic event in which both of the following were present: 1. The person experienced or witnessed events that posed a threat to their lives or others lives 2. The person’s response involved incredible amounts of fear, helplessness or horror B. The traumatic experience happens to: A. Bring back images or thoughts B. Dreams of the event C. Feeling like your at the event D. Intense psychological distress

 Causes of PTSD Traumatic Experiences Ex) War Abuse Car Crash Sexual Assault Natural Disaster Genetics are also said to have a role causing PTSD  Chemical imbalance in the brain  Hormones

 PTSD can affect anyone 5% of men are affected 10% of women are affected Studies reveal that the most common group that are develop PTSD are survivors of rape and prisoners of war.

The sooner PTSD is confronted, the easier it is to overcome. Types of Treatments Trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy Family Therapy Medication Antidepressants

 Medication has made people with PTSD become more emotional causing them to be able to talk about their traumatic event in a therapy session.  Early PTSD is often curable  Chronic PTSD is a lot harder to cure Daily therapy is needed to prevent PTSD from getting worse

 Halgin, R.P., & Whitbourne, S.K.(2005). Abnormal psychology: clinical perspectives on psychological disorders. New York, NY: McGraw Hill  Walden Behavioral Care.(2011). Cause of post-traumatic stress disorder. asp  Smith, M, & Segal, J.(2011). Post-traumatic stress disorder(ptsd): symptoms, treatments and self-help. toms_treatment.htm  American Psychiatric Association.(2000). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Association

 Do you think that having PTSD is worse when you are a child or an adult? Why?  How would you feel if those closest to you were all affected by PTSD?