Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD): Handling the disorder
Posttraumatic stress disorder is an anxiety related condition. It normally afflicts a person who has gone through a very tragic event either in person or as a witness to a tragedy. The kind of events that we are talking about could be violence, rape, kidnap, being taken as a prisoner of war, child abuse or even an auto accident. The sufferer of PTSD often suffers nightmares and terrible recollections of the event. This will normally occur in the form of flash backs. This condition afflicts adults as well as children. One of the telltale signs that one a person is suffering from PTSD is withdrawal behavior even from close friends. Such a person is also unable to concentrate or maintain interest in anything that he or she previously enjoyed.
People suffering from this condition are often easily startled , very irritable, given to sudden bursts of anger and may even be violent. They suffer from inability to sleep, are always on edge and will generally be unable to carry out effectively the normal tasks of every day life like eating or thinking straight.
Their memories of the event always torment them. A person suffering from PTSD will often avoid places or situations that will remind them of the tragic event. They are also overcome by a feeling of numbness and are not able to show or relate affectionately with loved ones. Others are overcome by strong emotions of guilt and depression. This is often the case where the sufferer blames himself or herself for not doing anything to stop the tragedy . For instance, where a loved one suffered child abuse in the home yet he or she did nothing to save the child from harm. Those kinds of memories are likely to torment the sufferer for quite sometime.
This disorder not only affects adults but also children. Studies indicate that women are more prone to suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder than men are likely to suffer. This is attributed to the fact that the genetic makeup of man makes him less susceptible to psychological trauma.
It has also been observed that many a time PTSD does not afflict the victim in isolation. Other psychological disorders like depression, abusive relationships and drug abuse are often part of the problem. In such a situation, it is best to treat both conditions at the same time for total recovery to take place.
Symptoms associated with PTSD some times do not appear immediately. In some cases, symptoms manifest after many years. However, in majority of the cases symptoms will manifest within three months of the event that triggers posttraumatic stress disorder. The good news is that sufferers of PTSD do not have to suffer any more. There are treatments available for victims of this disorder. A medical doctor who has significant experience in treating PTSD should carry out proper diagnosis. The sufferer should be observed for a period of at least one month for an appropriate prognosis to be made.
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