Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, known as PTSD for short, refers to a condition that may develop after a traumatic event. PTSD is quite common--at some point in their lives, about 8 percent of people in the U.S. will develop PTSD. Women are twice as likely as men to develop PTSD. In order to qualify for a PTSD diagnosis, the trauma must be extreme. Additionally, differential criteria must be met.
Re-experiencing Symptoms
Re-experiencing symptoms include frequent and intrusive thoughts about the trauma and distress when remembering or thinking about the trauma. A person can have bad dreams or nightmares or flashbacks, where he feels as if he's reliving the traumatic experience. This can lead the person to feel as if he's being traumatized all over again.
Avoidance Symptoms
People with PTSD often work hard to stay away from things that remind them of their traumatic events. For example, if a woman is sexually assaulted in a parking lot, she may avoid all parking lots. While this a sensible maneuver, it unfortunately tends to prolong the PTSD symptoms. People with PTSD may also feel emotionally numb: they may no longer experience a full range of emotions and may lose interest in activities they used to enjoy.
Arousal Symptoms
People with PTSD often feel perpetually on edge or easily startled. They may check their doors and windows at night, expecting an intruder. The unexpected sputtering of a car may startle them so much that they jump. People with PTSD can be irritable and quick to anger. They may be always on guard, which can place a strain on them and their loved ones.
Length of Time of Symptoms
The length of time that someone is impacted by posttraumatic symptoms is not a symptom in itself, but reflects an important differential for PTSD. For the majority of people who experience a trauma, symptoms resolve before becoming PTSD. For someone to meet criteria for PTSD, he must have had these symptoms for over a month. If symptoms are of shorter duration, the person might be diagnosed with Acute Stress Disorder. However, it's worth noting that some people don't develop PTSD until months or even years after their trauma.
References
- "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders"; American Psychiatric Association; 2000.
- "Journal of Psychiatric Research"; Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A State-of-the-Art Review; Charles B. Nemeroff, J. Douglas Bremner, Edna B. Foa, Helen S. Mayberg, Carol S. North, Murray B. Stein; 40; 2006.
