Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can be best described as a psychiatric condition that develops in some individuals after experiencing events involving threat of injury, physical integrity, or death. (PTSD) usually will consist of the three most popular symptoms re-experiencing for example (recurrent nightmares about trauma, flashbacks), avoidance for example (avoidance of trauma reminders), and hyperarousal for example (insomnia, hypervigilance) (KING 497) along with these symptoms further mental illness can lead to suicidal behaviors, cardiovascular diseases, and gastrointestinal diseases. In most tests and experiments the results will show the in most cases that PTSD is hereditary. Close to 30% of variance in PTSD are caused soley from genetics and even more from twins including identical and fraternal.(1) Studies have shown that in most situations where one twin has xperienced a situation where the diagnosis of PTSD was given,either the other sibling, mother, or father was at one point diagnosed with the same disorder. When other variance are added to the study PTSD shares and abundent amount of genetic influences common to many other psychiatric disorders. Which with nicotine, alcohol and drug dependence shares more than 40% genetic similarities, also panic and generalized anxiety disorders also share close to 60% of the same genetic variance.(1)

After a traumatic incident the individual will undergo numerous examinations to determine overall physical and mental damage, but unfortunately there are no tests to 100% diagnose a victim with PTSD.(1) Victims are diagnosed solely on the symptoms that are being projected. Symptoms will usually fall into three main groups, the first and most common is Reliving the event, which disturbs day-to-day activites flashback episodes, where the event seems to be happening over and over again.(1)For example repeated upsetting memories of the event, repeated nightmares, or strong, uncomfortable reactions to the situations that reminds them of the event.(1)The second most common would be avoidance, to where mostly the victim will have an emotional numbing of the event or feeling as though they do not care about the event or its outcomes, feeling detached or distant from the world. Being unable to remember important details of the event possibly even people affiliated with the event. Even avoiding specific places or thoughts that remind the victim of the event.(1) Symptoms such as arousal, for example having difficulty concentrating, being startled easily, feeling paranoid or always aware of surroundings.(1)Having trouble sleeping or staying asleep also chronic headaches due to tension, stress, or guilt about the incident.(1) Unfortuneatley victims will not contact professional help for long periods of time after the incident in turn making it that much harder to resolve everyday problems that quite possibly could've been treated earlier on. Most will seek help after feeling overwhelmed, they are thinking of hurting themselves, or anybody else. Or they are unable to control their behavior resulting in rage and anger.(1) Also it seems as though most victims turn to other options to cope with the problems such as alcohol abuse as well as drug abuse. All victims can have a good outcome with early diagnosis, prompt treatment, and a strong support group.(1)

After being diagnosed with PTSD there are many different outcomes for each individual. Some people who suffer from PTSD will actually notice that it will fade on its own without noticing overtime. Some must attend sessions with a therapist, treatments can help prevent PTSD from expanding further into the victims everyday lifestyle. Social groups are also a great way to help build back mental and physical strength to fight through the intial phases of PTSD. If this is not a treatment that seems to be helping the victim there is a for of treatment that the victim can undergo which is called "Desensitization" that can be used.(1) This treatment can help reduce symptoms by encouraging the victim to try and remember the traumatic event and express their feelings about it. Over time, memories of the event should become less frightening and eventually will no longer phase the victim.(1)

Medicines that act on the nervous system can help reduce anxiety and other symptoms of PTSD. Antidepressants, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) Affects the concentration and activity of the neurotransmitter serotonin, a chemical in the brain thought to be linked to anxiety disorders, can be effective in treating PTSD. Other anti-anxiety and sleep medicines may also be helpful. The most common medications for this disorder would be Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs) Affects the concentration