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.

Many people suffer from it after being violently threatened by a partner or being sexually assaulted and this can have a negative affect on their ability to find and settle with a soul mate.

Summary of PTSD, causes, prevention and treatment

Cannot stop remembering

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.

Other causes

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.

Diagnosis

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

The main post traumatic stress disorder symptoms are flashbacks, 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

Trauma and emotions from trauma cause changes in the brain that 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

Although no prevention is currently available because it is 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

It is not possible to say that a cure is available. There are a 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.

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