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Difficult situations are part of life. We all must cope
with tough circumstances, such as bereavement or conflict
(such as domestic abuse) in our personal and
professional relationships, and learn to move on. But
sometimes people experience an event which is so
unexpected and so shattering that it continues to have a
serious effect on them, long after any physical danger
involved has passed. Individuals with this kind of
experience may suffer flashbacks and nightmares, in which
they re-live the situation that caused them intense fear
and horror. They may become emotionally numb. When this
condition persists for over a month, it is diagnosed as
post-traumatic stress disorder.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is one of several
conditions known as an anxiety disorder. This kind of
medical disorder affects approximately 1 in 10 people.
They are among the most common of mental health problems.
Children and adults can develop PTSD. The disorder can
become so severe that that the individual finds it
difficult to lead a normal life. Fortunately, treatments
exist to help people with PTSD bring their lives back into
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What
causes it?
PTSD
is caused by a psychologically traumatic event involving
actual or threatened death or serious injury to oneself or
others. Such triggering events are called 'stressors';
they may be experienced alone or while in a large group.
Violent personal assault, such as rape or mugging,
domestic abuse, car or plane accidents, military
combat, industrial accidents and natural disasters, such
as earthquakes and hurricanes, are stressors which have
caused people to suffer from PTSD. In some cases, seeing
another person harmed or killed, or learning that a close
friend or family member is in serious danger has caused
the disorder.
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What are the
signs?
The symptoms of
PTSD usually begin within 3 months of the traumatic event. However,
sometimes they surface many years later. The duration of PTSD, and
the strength of the symptoms, vary. For some people, recovery may be
achieved in 6 months; for others, it may take much longer.
There are
three categories of symptoms. The first involves re-experiencing the
event. This is the main characteristic of PTSD and it can happen in
different ways. Most commonly the person has powerful, recurrent
memories of the event, or recur-rent nightmares or flashbacks in
which they re-live their distressing experience. The anniversary of
the triggering event, or situations which remind them of it, can
also cause extreme discomfort. Avoidance and emotional numbing are
the second category of symptoms. The first occurs when people with
PTSD avoid encountering scenarios which may remind them of the
trauma. Emotional numbing generally begins very soon after the
event. A person with PTSD may withdraw from friends and family, they
may lose interest in activities they previously enjoyed and have
difficulty feeling emotions, especially those associated with
intimacy. Feelings of extreme guilt are also common.
In rare
cases, a person may enter dissociative states, lasting anywhere from
a few minutes to several days, during which they believe they are
re-living the episode, and behave as if it is happening all over
again. The third category of symptoms involves changes in sleeping
patterns and increased alertness. Insomnia is common and some people
with PTSD have difficulty concentrating and finishing tasks.
Increased aggression can also result.
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Other
illnesses may accompany PTSD
People with PTSD may develop a dependence on drugs or alcohol. They
may become depressed. It is not uncommon for another anxiety
disorder to be present at the same time as PTSD. As well, dizziness,
chest pain, gastrointestinal complaints and immune system problems
may be linked to PTSD. These are often treated as self-contained
illnesses; the link with PTSD will be revealed only if a patient
volunteers information about a traumatic event, or if a doctor
investigates a possible link with psychological trauma.
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How is PTSD
treated?
Medication
can help with the depression and anxiety often felt by people with
PTSD, and assist them in re-establishing regular sleep patterns.
Cognitive-behavioural therapy and group therapy are generally felt
to be more promising treatments for PTSD. They're often performed by
therapists experienced in a particular type of trauma, such as rape
counsellors. Exposure therapy, in which the patient re-lives the
experience under controlled conditions in order to work through the
trauma, can also be beneficial.
Research into
the causes of PTSD and its treatment is ongoing. Determining which
treatments work best for which types of trauma is currently under
study.
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Where to go
for more information
For
further information about post-traumatic stress disorder, contact a
community organization like the Canadian Mental Health Association
to find out about support and resources available in your community.
Durham
Region Branch of CMHA (Canadian Mental Health Association)
60 Bond Street West
Oshawa, ON L1G 1A5
Phone: 905 - 436 8760
http://www.cmhadurham.org
You can also see your family doctor
and ask for a referral to professionals in your area.
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This website is an ongoing project
If you have any suggestions as to additional content
and/or notice errors or omissions in information please
contact kaleidoscope.design@rogers.com
Your help and feedback is
always welcome and can be important in assisting women
find the right resources.
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