National Institute of Mental Health, (NIMH),
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is one of the 5 recognized types
of mental illness commonly known as anxiety disorders. While
these five major categories are significant, the complexity of
mental disorders demand for segmentation into even more
conditions.
The post-traumatic stress syndrome, or PTSD is commonly
associated with veterans returning from a war zone. Further
study however, has suggested that this disorder isn’t limited
to war zone veterans that can be identified and people who have
had a significant negative event touch their lives. Understand
that the complexity of this illness isn’t limited to simply
mood swings but is embedded in general feeling caused by an
event.
That event would naturally be very disturbing, unsettling or
emotional scarring. These types of events may include:
a. A physically dangerous situation such as a fire or
automobile accident.
b. A physical assault, rape, mugging, threats on your life etc.
c. Personal property assault. Theft, break in of your home,
etc.
d. A family member, relative or close friend may have been
involved in any of the above
What’s interesting is that a person who may be suffering with
post traumatic stress disorder isn’t necessarily the person who
was directly hurt by the event. Throughout the US, many people
who didn’t lose family in the World Trade Center on September
11 or even lives in New York City were dramatically and
emotionally affected by the disaster. This is also a common
problem when student and workplace shootings occur.
Stress disorder of the posttraumatic type can be characterized
as an emotional rollercoaster that never ends. The fear and
“shell shock” feeling of just going through a significant life
threatening event can be devastating.
Many PTSD disorder sufferers will regain their emotional
equilibrium given enough time. Many find that cognitive
behavioral therapy and counseling can help speed the process
along. In some of the more extreme in serious cases medications
have been used effectively.
One difficulty in living with post traumatic stress disorder
symptoms is that seemingly on associated things are events can
act as a trigger to cause panic and worry. A good example of
this is after someone has broken into your home, every noise
can become a trigger to relive the event. Imagine a situation
where a creaking door brings a flood of thoughts about an
intruder in your home back into your memory.
Although far from being just a condition identified with
returning war veterans, post traumatic stress has become a
significant issue in our modern day world. With the all too
frequent mindless shootings in previously safe places like high
schools and the workplace it’s no wonder that post traumatic
stress is a growing problem in our society. If you or a loved
one is suffering from this stress disorder, get professional
psychological help as soon as possible.
About The Author: Abigail Franks has done exhaustive research
on many mental health issues such as anxiety, depression and
panic attacks. For more information visit her site at
http://www.anxietyhelpcenter.info/ and
http://www.anxietyhelpcenter.info/panic-attack/panic-attack.html
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