Approximately 7.7 million in America over the age of 18 have PTSD, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. PTSD, the acronym for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, is a mental disorder that occurs after a person experiences a traumatic event, such as war, rape, assault, accidents and natural disasters. A mental health professional may compare a person's symptoms to those in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) to diagnose this condition. However, it is important to note that a DSM diagnosis of this condition can only be made if the symptoms only began to occur after a traumatic event, the symptoms remain for longer than one month and the symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in important area of functioning appropriately in life.
Re-experiencing the Traumatic Event
Experiencing the traumatic event again, even though the situation and circumstances are not currently present, is one symptom of PTSD. This may include having flashbacks of the event, which may be so real the person may actually feel like it is actually happening again. Nightmares, especially of the event, are also common. When people with PTSD re-experience the event in a nightmare, flashback or even in a memory, they will have intense physical reactions. These physical reactions may include a pounding heart, nausea, breathing difficulties, muscle tension and sweating.
Persistent Avoidance of Stimuli Association with Trauma
Because the physical and emotional reaction to the trauma is so intense, people with PTSD will typically do anything to avoid situations, activities, places, thoughts or feelings that remind them of the traumatic event. They may consciously or unconsciously block memories of the event. They often will feel emotionally numb.
Increased Arousal
People with PTSD will usually feel constantly on edge and jittery. It may seem like their body is constantly in a state of fight-or-flight. They are often easily startled, may have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep and can be extremely irritable or angry for no apparent reason.
References
- The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition"; American Psychiatric Association; 2000
- National Institute of Mental Health: Mental Disorders in America
- Help Guide: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
