MENTAL HEALTH BASICS.....



Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating condition that
can develop following a terrifying event. Often, people with PTSD have
persistent frightening thoughts and memories of their ordeal and feel
emotionally numb, especially with people they were once close to. PTSD
was first brought to public attention by war veterans, but it can result
from any number of traumatic incidents. These include violent attacks
such as mugging, rape, or torture; being kidnapped or held captive;
child abuse; serious accidents such as car or train wrecks; and natural
disasters such as floods or earthquakes. The event that triggers PTSD
may be something that threatened the person's life or the life of
someone close to him or her. Or it could be something witnessed, such as
massive death and destruction after a building is bombed or a plane
crashes.

Whatever the source of the problem, some people with PTSD repeatedly
relive the trauma in the form of nightmares and disturbing recollections
during the day. They may also experience other sleep problems, feel
detached or numb, or be easily startled. They may lose interest in
things they used to enjoy and have trouble feeling affectionate. They
may feel irritable, more aggressive than before, or even violent. Things
that remind them of the trauma may be very distressing, which could lead
them to avoid certain places or situations that bring back those
memories. Anniversaries of the traumatic event are often very difficult.

PTSD affects about 5.2 million adult Americans. Women are more likely
than men to develop PTSD. It can occur at any age, including childhood,
and there is some evidence that susceptibility to PTSD may run in
families. The disorder is often accompanied by depression, substance
abuse, or one or more other anxiety disorders. In severe cases, the
person may have trouble working or socializing. In general, the symptoms
seem to be worse if the event that triggered them was deliberately
initiated by a person-such as a rape or kidnapping.

Ordinary events can serve as reminders of the trauma and trigger
flashbacks or intrusive images. A person having a flashback, which can
come in the form of images, sounds, smells, or feelings, may lose touch
with reality and believe that the traumatic event is happening all over
again.

Not every traumatized person gets full-blown PTSD, or experiences PTSD
at all. PTSD is diagnosed only if the symptoms last more than a month.
In those who do develop PTSD, symptoms usually begin within 3 months of
the trauma, and the course of the illness varies. Some people recover
within 6 months, others have symptoms that last much longer. In some
cases, the condition may be chronic. Occasionally, the illness doesn't
show up until years after the traumatic event.

People with PTSD can be helped by medications and carefully targeted
psychotherapy.








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