PTSD With Major Depressive Disorder

Experiencing or witnessing a horrific event can cause anyone to develop post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but the debilitating effects of PTSD can result in the development of a major depressive disorder as well, causing the sufferer even more emotional and physical difficulties. It is estimated that over five million people in America have PTSD. That's about 18 people who develop PTSD every minute of every day (or 1,117 an hour). And war veterans (Vietnam and the Gulf War) constitute about 30 percent of total PTSD sufferers, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder defined

• Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety that develops on the heels of an experience that was terrifying--and possibly life-threatening--to the sufferer, or someone else in her midst. These experiences can be the result of a violent confrontation like a rape, a mugging or a carjacking, as well as due to natural or man-made disasters like tornadoes, hurricanes, plane crashes and bombings.

Major Depressive Disorder defined

• Also known as major depression, major depressive disorder usually impacts all areas of a person's life: work, home, and school. It also impacts such things as sleeping, eating, and enjoyment of life. Like PTSD, major depressive disorder can be disabling to a person, resulting in their being unable to function normally in society in almost all capacities.

Symptoms of PTSD

• There are three categories of PTSD symptoms: the re-experiencing category (having bad dreams, flashbacks or scary and frightening thoughts); the hyperarousal category (feeling like you are on edge, tense, too scared or unable to sleep, and even exhibiting bursts of anger for no obvious reason); and the avoidance category (avoiding all reminders of the event, which could take the form of avoiding objects, places or people who remind you of the event or were present--including helpful people who meant you no harm--or anything else that triggers memories of the event). Avoidance could also take the form of unjustified guilt or worry, an inability to recall event details, a feeling of numbness and even a lack of enjoyment in activities that used to be pleasurable.

PTSD or Major Depressive Disorder: Do you have it?

• According to the Institute of Mental Health, several things need to be present for a one-month continuous period in order to warrant diagnosis of PTSD: one re-experiencing symptom, two hyperarousal symptoms, and three avoidance symptoms. For diagnosis of major depressive disorder the following criteria must be met and done by a medical professional: a physical exam must be done to eliminate any possibility that the severe depression is being caused by any physical diseases or conditions or any medications being taken. In addition, a thorough history of the patient's mental health status (including prior depressions and/or treatment results), as well as the history of current symptoms being experienced, must be explored and evaluated. History information about any drug or alcohol abuse are also gathered and reviewed.

PTSD Treatment options

• Having a patient relive her nightmarish experience verbally might seem counterproductive, but it is actually one of the main treatment options used for those who suffer from PTSD, since such exposure therapy is geared to help the individual face the situation rather than avoid it. This is all done in a controlled and safe way, and at a graduated pace.In addition to exposure therapy--and prior to its actual introduction into the treatment process--the patient is likely to be given cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), as well as possible medications for any depression, anxiety or sleep problems being experienced. The she may be introduced to group therapy, followed by exposure therapy.

Major Depressive Disorder treatment options

• As with PTSD, those experiencing major depressive disorder will also benefit from cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). In addition, they usually also receive medications (anti-depressants and possible sleep aid medicines) as well as interpersonal therapy (IPT). If their depression continues in spite of medications prescribed and the aforementioned treatments, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is an option that may be exercised.