"Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a psychological disorder affecting individuals who have experienced or witnessed profoundly traumatic events outside the range of usual human experience, and characterized by symptoms such as reliving the event, irritability, anxiety, fatigue, forgetfulness, and social withdrawal." - Dictionary.com
" The ICD–10 definition states that PTSD may develop after ‘a stressful event or
situation ... of an exceptionally threatening or catastrophic nature, which is likely to cause
pervasive distress in almost anyone’ (World Health Organization, 1992: p. 147)." - NICE GUIDELINES
Not all people who have experienced a traumatic event go on to develop PTSD, and not all people who have PTSD realise it even exists.
Current research says that approximately 10% of people who experienced a traumatic event go on to develop PTSD.
History
Allthough PTSD is a relatively new term, we can see from history that the condition has always existed. In the First World War it was often labelled as Shell Shock, and could be punished by death if cowardice was suspected.
Further back in Antiquity there are references to the symptoms in Homers Iliad, and medical references in early Egyptian literature.
Thankfully, in these more enlightened times we are beginning to have a better understanding.
Although the modern research was based on the problems experienced by Military Personnel, especially after the Vietnam War, it has become accepted that many cases also exist within the civilian population, and for a variety of reasons.
Article citing Ancient references to PTSD
PTSD and a Re-evaluation of Homer’s Achilles
A more modern History
Symptoms.
The symptoms of PTSD can vary in intensity, are often mistaken for other issues, and are different for everyone depending on their circumstances and background. Many factors can affect the severity of its effects.
We don't recommend self-diagnosis, many people with no trauma could still identify with much of the following, however, If you feel this applies to you, or someone close to you, seek professional advice.
Symptoms can include ...
Re-experiencing the traumatic event
- Intrusive, upsetting memories of the event
- Flashbacks (acting or feeling like the event is happening again)
- Nightmares (either of the event or of other frightening things)
- Feelings of intense distress when reminded of the trauma
- Intense physical reactions to reminders of the event (e.g. pounding heart, rapid breathing, nausea, muscle tension, sweating)
- Avoiding activities, places, thoughts, or feelings that remind you of the trauma
- Inability to remember important aspects of the trauma
- Loss of interest in activities and life in general
- Feeling detached from others and emotionally numb
- Sense of a limited future (you don’t expect to live a normal life span, get married, have a career)
- Difficulty falling or staying asleep
- Irritability or outbursts of anger
- Difficulty concentrating
- Hypervigilance (on constant “red alert”)
- Feeling jumpy and easily startled
- Anger and irritability
- Guilt, shame, or self-blame
- Substance abuse
- Depression and hopelessness
- Suicidal thoughts and feelings
- Feeling alienated and alone
- Feelings of mistrust and betrayal
- Headaches, stomach problems, chest pain
There is a usefull checklist at SimplePsych.
It is becoming accepted that although there is no absolute 'cure' for PTSD, there ARE ways of building it into your life in a manageable way, and learning 'coping strategies' to deal with it's effects.
'Moving on from the murder is not to move away from the victim' - a SAMM member
