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 Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder  War veterans first brought PTSD to public attention, but it can result from any traumatic incident, including 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. The trigger could also be something witnessed, such as massive death and destruction after a bombing or a crashed plane. Whatever the source of the problem, people with PTSD may:
PTSD affects about 7.7 million or 3.5 percent of adult Americans, with women more likely than men to develop the condition. It can occur at any age, including childhood; susceptibility may run in families. Depression, substance abuse, or one or more other anxiety disorders often accompanies PTSD. 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 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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