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PTSD Conditions & Symptoms

Post-traumatic stress disorder, PTSD, is an anxiety disorder directly resulting from a traumatic event. PTSD is often associated with combat survivors. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, victims and witnesses of violent crime such as rape, as well as victims of natural disasters, can develop post-traumatic stress disorder.

  1. Symptoms

    • Memories of the traumatic event that disrupt daily life are the main symptoms of PTSD. Nightmares and flashbacks are examples of disruptive recollections. A person suffering from PTSD develops anxiety associated with these memories and will avoid situations that trigger them. In the most severe cases, the patient may relive the trauma as if it were happening in the present.

    Diagnosis

    • The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders III (Revised Edition) has specific criteria to diagnose PTSD. First, the patient must have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event that could have ended in death or serious injury. Second, the response to the trauma was intense fear, or helplessness. A person with PTSD will avoid people, places, or objects associated with the traumatic event. People who suffer from PTSD are plagued with increased arousal problems after the trauma.
      To confirm the diagnosis, two of the following symptoms must be present: insomnia, irritability, a sense of impending doom, hyperactivity or exaggerated fight-or-flight response. All symptoms must be present for one month or longer.

    Medication

    • Medication can help to mitigate the symptoms of PTSD quickly. The Mayo Clinic recommends using prazosin, a drug traditionally used to treat hypertension, to help with nightmares. Prazosin stops the brain from reacting to norepinephrine, a hormone associated with nightmares. Anxiety medications called benzodiazepines can calm PTSD-related anxiety during the day. Benzodiazepines are highly addictive. Doctors may prescribe anti-depressants with anxiolytic properties. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, such as Prozac, are useful in treating anxiety as well as the depression that can accompany PTSD.

    Psychotherapy

    • It is best to undergo psychotherapy in conjunction with medication. Medication will effectively treat PTSD symptoms, making it possible to resolve trauma-associated issues through psychotherapy. Cognitive Behavior Therapy helps the patient recognize irrational thought processes and modify his behavior accordingly. Exposure therapy involves repeatedly exposing the patient to stressors until the associated anxiety disappears. If the patient is dedicated to recovery and ready to face his fears, psychotherapy can potentially cure PTSD.

    Support

    • Patients find much security knowing they are not alone. Support groups are helpful and widely available.The patient should also establish a personal support team consisting of reliable friends and family members who understand the crippling fears that accompany PTSD.

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