Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Research Assignment

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Fear is indeed natural and for a normal human being, it is typical to feel afraid especially during and after a shocking or disturbing event or situation. Through fear, one’s body gets to adjust to external changes and hence the innate ability to defend against any danger. Pundits often refer to man’s ability to either run or defend himself as the “fight-or-flight” response. It is through this response that some people are able to run away from danger or run towards danger in the hope of saving loved ones or even property. Experiencing certain reactions and waves of fear is indeed commonplace but the expectation is that someone will recover. However, some people never recover from the initial trauma which develops into posttraumatic disorder (PTSD). According to the National Center for PTSD, PTSD is defined as “a mental health problem that some people develop after experiencing or witnessing a life-threatening event, lie combat, a natural disaster, a car accident, or sexual assault.” It is essential to understand that PTSD is not indicative of a person’s weakness because it can happen to anyone. However, there are factors, most of which beyond a person’s control which can increase one’s chance of getting PTSD. The effects of PTSD are quite astounding and surprisingly, a significant percentage of the world’s population is not aware of its existence. While seeking to create further awareness of PTSD, this article will mainly focus on the symptoms, influencing factors, and the treatments or successful remedies in use to help people with PTSD.
Statistics regarding PTSD is indeed shocking and with less people aware of its existence, it is indeed possible that many people could be victims of this condition. Data from the Anxiety and Depression Association of America shows that “7.7 million Americans age 18 and older have PTSD.” Additionally, “67 percent of people exposed to mass violence have shown to develop PTSD, a higher rate than those exposed to natural disasters or other types of traumatic events.” No one is safe according to ADAA and even children can be victims of this condition. The Pathogenesis of PTSD is a series of dynamic processes and with apt timing, much can be accomplished especially when a person’s life is at stake. People, therefore, need to be aware of the symptoms of PTSD which are as discussed below.
Symptoms of PTSD
* Re-experiencing symptoms – the National Institute of Mental Health describes re-experiencing symptoms simply as reliving the tragedy or traumatic event. People who are reliving the traumatic events often have nightmares, flashbacks, and frightening thoughts. Some also hear, see, and even smell things that make them remember a traumatic event. According to the National Center for PTSD, the above are called triggers and these work by reminding a person of an event or a situation. For example, one can smell a cloth burning and immediately remember their near death experience in a burning house.
* Hyperarousal – people showing signs of PTSD are often alert and always on the lookout for any danger. They are ...