What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a situation in which someone experiences a harmful or terrifying ordeal. This traumatic event can be one of any number of incidents, these include: car crashes, rape, fires, earthquakes, unexpected death of a loved one, robbery and many more. In cases where severe trauma is experienced, trauma treatment centers are recommended. Also, PTSD treatment facilities where trauma therapy is emphasized can be very helpful for those with this disorder.
Types of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
There are three different types of PTSD. These are:
Acute PTSD – when symptoms last for 3 months or less.
Chronic PTSD – when symptoms last for 3 months or more.
Delayed Onset PTSD – when symptoms do not show up until at least 6 months after the traumatic event has passed.
Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
There are three primary categories of symptoms associated with Post-traumatic stress disorder. Researches have found that after severe trauma, biochemical changes develop in the brain which may be the reason these various symptoms occur. When the following symptoms do occur, a PTSD treatment center offering trauma recovery may be needed. Various symptoms include:
- Re-occurring Thoughts
These symptoms occur when a person experiences recurrent thoughts of previous trauma. These recollections of the event occur as nightmares, hallucinations and flashbacks. Flashbacks are frequently triggered by sounds, sights and smell which cause the individual to almost relieve their traumatic experience over again. - Avoidance
Avoidance occurs when someone, whether consciously or not, attempts to forget and avoid all people and places that might remind them of their trauma. This might also mean that an individual cannot remember important aspects of their ordeal or that they detach themselves from others and express few emotions. People who experience feelings of avoidance may also have the sense that there is no future ahead of them. - Arousal
People with arousal typically have sleep problems and can not concentrate very well. Symptoms also include irritability, hypervigilance and exaggerated responses to startling situations.
Additional symptoms include:
- Headache
- Nervousness and anxiety
- Depression
- Fainting
- Hypersensitivity
These symptoms can be very frightening, causing a person great confusion and stress. At a helpful PTSD treatment facility, therapists will work with each resident, helping them to cope with and analyze various fears.
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