PTSD and Other Trauma and Stress Related Disorders

What Is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?

Although the bulk of individuals who experience traumatic events do not go on to develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), PTSD, may occur after individuals experience trauma or life-threatening events. Common traumatic experiences include rape or sexual assault, crime victimization, physical or sexual abuse, war-related experiences, the death of a loved one, natural disasters or other life-threatening situations involving serious injuries, such as a car crash.

Individuals who suffer from PTSD experience three main types of symptoms. First, they involuntarily re-experience the trauma in their minds. This may include having nightmares and flashbacks that make it seem as if the event is recurring. Secondly, individuals engage in avoidance behaviors. They may avoid thinking about the memory, and avoid people, places, and things that remind them of the event. Individuals with PTSD may also have signs of physical distress, such as trouble sleeping, feeling irritable or angry, trouble concentrating, and feeling tense or on guard.

Most people begin to experience symptoms of PTSD after a month of the trauma, while some don’t have symptoms until many years after the event. If the symptoms arise within one month of the event and persist for less than 3 months, it is said to be acute stress disorder (ASD). However, if the symptoms persist for more than 3 months, the diagnosis of PTSD is given. Women are twice as likely to develop symptoms of PTSD than men, and children can also fall victim to PTSD. The disorder also often occurs with other anxiety disorders, substance abuse, and depression.