Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
By: Eric T.
What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a development of symptoms following exposure to a traumatic event.
Some Signs/Symptoms
- Reliving of traumatic event
- Avoiding reminder of trauma
- Emotional numbness
- Hypervigilance
How can this affect someone?
Some examples of how post-traumatic stress disorder can affect someone could be:
- Losing friends
- Depression
- Long-lasting, intense stress
Other Common Names
Other common names of this disorder is trauma or PTSD.
How Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is Diagnosed
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is diagnosed when signs or symptoms start to show after the person experienced or witnessed a traumatic event.
How Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is Treated
Although it is difficult for a person to seek professional help because they are afraid that it will bring back painful memories, it can potentially lead to long-term healing by helping people avoid harmful behaviors and emotions, or extreme drug use. As you can see, it is best treated by seeking professional help from people such as a therapist, parent, or mental health professional.
Some Interesting Facts
Some interesting facts about post-traumatic stress disorder:
- Ability to cope with disorder is called resilience
- Intensity of trauma affects who and how people react
- Although seemingly impossible, post-traumatic stress disorder is treatable
- Symptoms last for normally long periods of time (i.e. 1 year or more)