Trauma and Stress-Related Disorders
Ethan Severns 4th Hour
What are Psychological Disorders?
Psychological disorders are behavior patterns and mental processes that that interferes with someone handling everyday life or causes serious suffering. There are 6 types of them: Anxiety (dread due to fear), Mood (like depression), Dissociative (problems with memory, identity, etc), Somatoform (causes body pain), Schizophrenia (losing reality), and personality (having inconsistent or multiple personalities).
Soldier
Experiences during war can lead to PTSD.
9/11 Firefighter
Tragic events like 9/11 where there's lots of damage and casualties can caused PTSD.
Past Events
Robberies, rape, car accidents, and other traumatic memories can cause PTSD. This can either to the individual or to a family member or friend.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
About PTSD
PTSD is a Trauma and Stress-Related disorder. Those with PTSD feel stressed or very afraid even when they aren't in danger. It is caused by witnessing or experiencing severe trauma, violence, or abuse where one's life or well-being is threatened like rape, war, or near death of individual or of close friend/family. Signs of PTSD include having flashbacks to the trauma, losing interest in once-enjoyable activities, and being easily startled. PTSD can occur at any age to anyone, however women are more susceptible to it and there is evidence it could be genetic. People who live through traumatic events or knows/lost someone who has been in one get it. People are less likely to get PTSD if they talk and seek support from people after the event and/or find a coping strategy to learn from the event. People are more likely to get it if they don't seek support or experience even more trauma after the main event. PTSD was added to the DSM-III in 1980 along with the realization that outside events can cause mental problems, and that individuals with it aren't "weak." War veterans, like famed Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, are most commonly recognized by society as having PTSD. In the movie American Sniper, the audience should note how Chris Kyle handles situations at home how he would in Iraq, like attempting to beat a dog.
Treatment
Psychotherapy or "Talk" therapy is the most common form of treatment for PTSD. It usually lasts 6-12 weeks. It is used the most because interaction between the victim and other person can help the victim relax and react to things that used to be major stressors.
Sources
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. (n.d.). Retrieved December 16, 2015, from http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/index.shtml#part_145375
PTSD Simplified. (n.d.). Retrieved December 16, 2015, from http://mentalhealth.about.com/od/traumaptsd/a/ptsdrayel.htm
PTSD: National Center for PTSD. (n.d.). Retrieved December 16, 2015, from http://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/PTSD-overview/ptsd-overview.asp