Post traumatic stress disorder was identified after the Vietnam war

Although Post traumatic stress disorder might have affected

humans since the beginning of their existence it was not

identified and given this name until the Vietnam war. Previous

wars had produced psychological and physiological problems which

were given names such as "Troppo" or "Shellshock". There have

always been people who return from traumatic experiences such as

war, torture or rape and find it difficult to adapt to life

again afterward.

PTSD is one of the few mental disorders that are triggered by a

traumatic event. This is different to psychiatric disorders such

as depression and it is described as a state in which you cannot

stop remembering.

Television and other graphic media coverage of traumatic events

like the World Trade Center attacks, terrorist bombings, wars,

and violence can cause post traumatic stress disorder in

vulnerable people especially children. The elderly can be

affected in a similar way by the death of a partner.

One definition is that PSTD is a pathological (mentally

disturbed condition) anxiety that happens after someone sees or

is involved in severe trauma when that trauma indicates a

personal threat or a threat to the life of others or where you

feel helpless, fearful or horror.

Post traumatic stress disorder can only be diagnosed by a mental

health professional. Even though the symptoms are similar to

those of acute stress disorder it becomes PTSD when the symptoms

start weeks, months or years after the event and when those

symptoms last for more than one month.

Some world war two soldiers only developed PTSD when they

retired 50 years later when the responsibilities of raising a

family and earning a living diminished substantially. Their will

to build a life had kept it from surfacing, but when that will

was no longer needed the symptoms appeared.

PTSD symptoms

emotional numbing and hyperarousal.

• Flashbacks can occur in thoughts, nightmares, dreams,

  or hallucinations and can also be intense psychological distress

  as a reaction to cues that symbolize some aspect of the event.

• Emotional numbing is when people find it difficult to

  be a loving partner or parent or friend because their emotional

  system is in overdrive. They also avoid stimuli that may involve

  people, places words or pictures that remind them of the event

  and they may have a lack of interest in important activities.

• Hyperarousal can take the form of acute jumpiness,

  hypervigilance, difficulty sleeping, sudden anger or

  irritability, and a decrease in concentration.

How it affects the body and the brain

trigger responses in other parts of the body. Fear conditioning

activates the amygdala brain structure and associated brain

structures that cause autonomic neurotransmitter and endocrine

activity to produce many of the symptoms of post traumatic

stress disorder. PTSD interferes with the orbitofrontal cortex

which normally inhibits this activity.

When you are afraid your body automatically releases adrenalin

which raises your heart rate, your blood pressure and the amount

of glucose available to your muscles. After the danger has

passed the body releases cortisol to shut down the stress

response. People with PTSD often have elevated levels of

stimulating hormones and may suffer from low cortisol levels

which results in them continuing to feel the stress affects of

the adrenaline. When they are reminded of the event these stress

hormones are released again as if they were back involved in the

event.

More information can be found at The affects of stress on overall health.

Prevention of post traumatic stress disorder

unknown who will develop the condition there are some things

that can be done.

• Early diagnosis and treatment is recognized as the best

  prevention for worsening symptoms and other health issues that

  can develop the longer a person is affected.

• Shielding children from inappropriate violence on TV or in a

  domestic situation is another measure.

• Counseling of rescue workers and volunteers at disasters

  routinely during the recovery phase will help to prevent the

  condition forming later and will help to alleviate the symptoms

  of stress.

Cure of PTSD

range of treatments that include therapies and drugs that will

lessen the affects of post traumatic stress disorder. To start you

must see a licensed health professional, be diagnosed and then you

will be offered a range of programs, medications or other

activities according to the severity of your symptoms.