What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a condition that develops after a person witnesses
or becomes involved in a serious trauma such as a life-threatening assault or a natural
disaster. It is a severe, persistent emotional reaction to a traumatic event that severely
impairs ones life.
About 6 of every 10 (or 60%) of men and 5 of every 10 (or 50%) of women experience at
least one trauma in their lives, but only a small percentage develop PTSD. [5]

PTSD Facts

Of people exposed to a traumatic event, about 8 percent of men and 20 percent of

women end up getting PTSD.
7.7 million Americans age 18 and older have PTSD.
67 percent of people exposed to mass violence have been shown to develop PTSD, a
higher rate than those exposed to natural disasters or other types of traumatic
events.
Up to 4 in 5 people with PTSD also have other mental health problems; for example,
depression, persistent anxiety, panic attacks, phobias, drug or alcohol abuse.
One in three returning American troops is being diagnosed with serious PostTraumatic Stress symptoms. Less than 40% will seek help.

Signs and Symptoms

PTSD is classified as an anxiety disorder because of its symptoms. According to the National
Institute of Mental Health, these symptoms can be grouped into three categories:
1. Re-experiencing. The patient persistently re-experiences the trauma in at least one of
the following ways: in thoughts, flashbacks, images, dreams, or feelings of distress at
situations that remind them of the traumatic event.
2. Avoidance. A patient may avoid things that remind him of the traumatic event. These
symptoms may cause a person to change his or her personal routine. For example,
after a bad car accident, a person who usually drives may avoid driving or riding in a
car.

3. Hyper arousal. Instead of being triggered by things that remind one of the traumatic
events, hyper arousal symptoms are usually constant. This includes symptoms of
anxiety or heightened awareness of danger (sleeplessness, irritability, being easily
startled, or becoming overly vigilant to unknown dangers).
Diagnosis
To be diagnosed with PTSD, a person must have all of the following for at least 1 month:[2]

At least one re-experiencing symptom

At least three avoidance symptoms
At least two hyperarousal symptoms

In some people, PTSD develops soon after the trauma. There are also cases where the
symptoms first develop after several months, or even years. Sometimes people have very
serious symptoms that go away after a few weeks. This is called Acute Stress Disorder, or
ASD. When the symptoms last more than a few weeks and become an ongoing problem,
they might be PTSD.

What if it is left untreated?

If left untreated, suffers of PTSD are likely to experience severe consequences including:
1. Substance abuse: Many turn to drugs or alcohol in an attempt to calm their anxiety.
2. Anger management issues: For some, the moments of recurring stress and anxiety
result in outbursts of anger or rage. This may result in child or spousal abuse or
public violence.
3. Loneliness: Because PTSD can make a person very difficult to be around and is often
undiagnosed, individuals with the disease may end up isolated and alone.
4. Severe depression: Many sufferers may demonstrate suicidal thoughts or actions
while in the midst of a PTSD episode.