PTSD Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder The Silent Killer Presented by Jack Stone CCCF Correctional Corporal

Prevalence of PTSD The most recent National  Studies asserted that the prevalence of PTSD in the general population was 3.5 %. Which is nearly 10 times less prevalent than in Prison Correctional Officers. 14.3% of New York firefighters were found to suffer from PTSD. A prevalence rate nearly ½ that of Prison Correctional Officers. A National Institutes of Health study from 2009 put the prevalence rate of PTSD in Iraq war veterans 20% below that of Prison Correctional Officers.

Why is PTSD Hidden? In most cases the reason is Shame or Fear. PTSD for many years was viewed as a weakness.  So many staff choose to hide what they feel, and this adds to confusion, depression and isolation.

The Cause of PTSD... A Traumatic Event After a Traumatic Event: You may feel afraid or feel that you have no control over what is happening around you. Most people have some stress-related reactions after a traumatic Event.

The Development of PTSD   Most people who go through  trauma have some symptoms at the beginning. Only some will develop PTSD over time. It isn't clear why some people develop PTSD and others don't.

PTSD Deciding Factors How intense the trauma was or how long it lasted If you were injured or lost someone important to you How close you were to the event How strong your reaction was How much you felt in control of events How much help and support you got after the event.

PTSD Symptoms Intrusive memories Recurrent, unwanted distressing memories of the traumatic event Reliving the traumatic event as if it were happening again (flashbacks) Upsetting dreams about the traumatic event Severe emotional distress or physical reactions to something that reminds you of the event Avoidance Trying to avoid thinking or talking about the traumatic event Avoiding places, activities or people that remind you of the traumatic event

PTSD Symptoms Negative changes in thinking and mood Negative feelings about yourself or other people Inability to experience positive emotions Feeling emotionally numb Lack of interest in activities you once enjoyed Hopelessness about the future Memory problems, including not remembering important aspects of the traumatic event Difficulty maintaining close relationships Changes in emotional reactions Irritability, angry outbursts or aggressive behavior Always being on guard for danger Overwhelming guilt or shame Self-destructive behavior, such as drinking too much or driving too fast Trouble concentrating Trouble sleeping Being easily startled or frightened Feeling keyed up (also called hyper arousal)

Other Problems Associated with PTSD: Feelings of hopelessness, shame, or despair Depression or anxiety Drinking or drug problems Physical symptoms or chronic pain Employment problems Relationship problems, including divorce. Eating disorders Suicidal thoughts and actions

What Treatments are available? When you have PTSD, dealing with the past can be hard. Instead of telling others how you feel, you may keep your feelings bottled up. But treatment can help you get better. There are 2 main types of treatment: Psychotherapy (sometimes called counseling) Medication Sometimes people combine psychotherapy and medication.

Psychotherapy Types Cognitive therapy Exposure therapy Helps an individual recognize the ways of thinking: cognitive patterns that are keeping them stuck For example, negative or inaccurate ways of perceiving normal situations. For PTSD, cognitive therapy often is used along with exposure therapy. Exposure therapy Behavioral therapy that helps an individual safely face what you find frightening so that you can learn to cope with it effectively. One approach to exposure therapy uses "virtual reality" programs that allow you to re-enter the setting in which you experienced trauma. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) This is a combination of exposure therapy with a series of guided eye movements that help you process traumatic memories and change how you react to traumatic memories.

Medications Help but not a Cure Antidepressants Medications to help alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety. They can also help improve sleep problems and concentration. Zoloft and Paxil are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for PTSD treatment. Anti-anxiety medications Even though these medications can improve feelings of anxiety and stress for a short time to relieve severe anxiety and related problems, they have the potential for abuse and are not usually taken long term. Prazosin This medication, although not specifically FDA-approved for PTSD treatment aids in the alleviation of insomnia or recurrent nightmares. It is known to reduce or suppress nightmares in many people with PTSD.

Acknowledgments Slide 1: “SilenceKelm041511crop_0.jpg.” Texasenterprise.utexas.edu. Texas Enterprise. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Apr. 2015 Slide 3: “boss-hiding-facebook.jpg.” rack.0.mshcdn.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Apr. 2015 Slide 7-8: Mayo Clinic Staff. "Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Symptoms." Mayoclinic.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Apr. 2015. Slide 9: Mayo Clinic Staff. "Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) complications." Mayoclinic.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Apr. 2015. Slide 11-12 Mayo Clinic Staff. "Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Treatment." Mayoclinic.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Apr. 2015