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It is almost impossible to predict who will develop PTSD and what type of incident will activate the symptoms. Some people develop PTSD very soon after the trauma incident . However It is not unusual, to see the delay of symptoms, sometimes months or even years after the causing event.
Definition of Post-traumatic stress disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder: A common
anxiety disorder that develops after exposure to a terrifying event or ordeal in
which grave physical harm occurred or was threatened. Family members of victims also
can develop the disorder. PTSD can occur in people of any age, including children
and adolescents. More than twice as many women as men experience PTSD following exposure
to trauma. Depression alcohol or other substance abuse, or other anxiety disorders
frequently co-occur with PTSD.
The diagnosis of PTSD requires that one or more symptoms from each of the following categories be present for at least a month and that symptom or symptoms must seriously interfere with leading a normal life:
- Reliving the event through upsetting thoughts, nightmares or flashbacks, or having very strong mental and physical reactions if something reminds the person of the event.
- Avoiding activities, thoughts, feelings or conversations that remind the person of the event; feeling numb to one's surroundings; or being unable to remember details of the event.
- Having a loss of interest in important activities, feeling all alone, being unable to have normal emotions or feeling that there is nothing to look forward to in the future may also be experienced.
- Feeling that one can never relax and must be on guard all the time to protect oneself, trouble sleeping, feeling irritable, overreacting when startled, angry outbursts or trouble concentrating.
There are three main kinds of symptoms that clinicians look for when diagnosing post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These include re-experiencing symptoms, avoidance symptoms and symptoms of increased arousal.
Re-experiencing symptoms include ways in which the person persistently re-experiences the traumatic event. These symptoms may include the following:
Intrusive memories of the traumatic event
Recurrent, distressing dreams about the
traumatic event
Acting or feeling as if the traumatic event is reoccurring
Mental and
physical discomfort when reminded of the traumatic event (e.g., on the anniversary
of the traumatic event)
Avoidance symptoms are ways in which the person tries to avoid anything associated
with the traumatic event. These symptoms may also include a “numbing” effect, where
the person’s general response to people and events is deadened. Avoidance symptoms
include the following:
Avoiding thoughts or feelings, people or situations (anything
that could stir up memories) associated with the traumatic event
Not being able to recall an important aspect of the traumatic event
Reduced interest
or participation in significant activities
Feeling disconnected from others
Showing
a limited range of emotion
Having a sense of a shortened future (e.g., not expecting
to have a normal life span, marriage or career)
Symptoms of increased arousal may be similar to symptoms of anxiety or panic attacks. Increased arousal symptoms include the following:
Difficulty concentrating.
Exaggerated watchfulness and wariness.
Irritability or outbursts of anger.
Difficulty falling or staying asleep.
Being easily startled.
Difficulty in Diagnosing PTSD
Identifying people with PTSD can be difficult and this disorder is often unrecognised. PTSD is unique among psychiatric disorders in that it is identified not only by symptoms, but also by the precursor of the illness (the traumatic event). Since talking about trauma may evoke painful emotions, people often refrain from discussing past traumatic events.
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