POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER

What is PTSD? PTSD is an anxiety disorder that some people get after seeing or living through a dangerous event. The normal “fight or flight” response is changed so some people may feel scared or stressed, even when the danger has passed.

What causes PTSD? Traumatic events in a person’s life such as: War Terrorist attack Prison Rape Domestic abuse Natural disaster

Signs and Symptoms of PTSD There are three main categories of symptoms Reliving the event Avoidance and numbing Arousal

Reliving the Event Affects day to day activities: Flashbacks Nightmares Reactions to an uncomfortable situation that reminds the person of the trauma Distressing recurrent images, thoughts or perceptions of the event

Avoidance and Numbing Avoiding reminders of the event Thoughts, feelings or conversations Activities, places or people Decreased interest Feeling detached Restricted emotional state

Increased arousal Increased physiological and mental arousal (requires 2 or more of the following): Sleep difficulty Irritability or anger Impaired concentration Hypervigilance (increased watchfulness for any situation that may remind the person of the event) Increased startle response

Other Symptoms Guilty feelings such as survivor guilt Agitation Dizziness Fainting Palpitations Headache

PTSD Symptoms must be present for at least 30 days to be classified as PTSD At least 1 re-living experience At least 3 avoidance episodes At least 2 arousal episodes Other symptoms that impair daily life Less than 30 days is considered ASD (acute stress disorder)

Treatment Psychotherapy and medications are both used as treatment for PTSD Desensitization Group therapy Support groups SSRIs Other anti anxiety medications

PTSD PTSD can be complicated by other factors Alcohol abuse Depression Other mental issues Panic attack

PTSD Good prognosis is expected if: Early diagnosis Prompt treatment Good support Group therapy Family support

National Institute of Mental Health Science Writing, Press & Dissemination Branch 6001 Executive Boulevard Room 8184, MSC 9663 Bethesda, MD 20892–9663 Phone: 301–443–4513 or 1–866–615–NIMH (6464) toll-free TTY: 301–443–8431 TTY: 866–415–8051 toll-free FAX: 301–443–4279 E-mail: nimhinfo@nih.gov Web site: http://www.nimh.nih.gov

References http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001923/ http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/index.shtml Michael J Murphy, Ronald L Cowan, Lloyd I Sederer, Blueprints Psychiatry, 5th ed. Wolters Kluwer, 2009