FROM: Military.com Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder can occur following a life-threatening event like military combat, natural disasters, terrorist incidents, serious accidents, or violent personal assaults like rape. Most survivors of trauma return to normal given a little time. However, some people have stress reactions that don't go away on their own, or may even get worse over time. These individuals may develop PTSD.

People who suffer from PTSD often suffer from nightmares, flashbacks, difficulty sleeping, and feeling emotionally numb. These symptoms can significantly impair a person's daily life.

PTSD is marked by clear physical and psychological symptoms. It often has symptoms like depression, substance abuse, problems of memory and cognition, and other physical and mental health problems. The disorder is also associated with difficulties in social or family life, including occupational instability, marital problems, family discord, and difficulties in parenting.

If you are suffering from PTSD, or know someone who is, the following list of resources and information will help you find help in dealing with PTSD and related conditions.

Each VA medical center has PTSD specialists who provide treatment for Veterans with PTSD. Plus, the VA provides nearly 200 specialized PTSD treatment programs. A referral is usually needed to access the specialty programs. You can use this VA PTSD Program Locator to see if there is a specialized program near you.

NOTE: If you are in crisis dial 911 or 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).


What are the symptoms of PTSD?

PTSD symptoms usually start soon after the traumatic event, but they may not appear until months or years later. They also may come and go over many years. If the symptoms last longer than 4 weeks, cause you great distress, or interfere with your work or home life, you might have PTSD.

There are four types of symptoms of PTSD
1) Reliving the event (also called re-experiencing symptoms) You may have bad memories or
nightmares. You even may feel like you're going through the event again. This is called a flashback.
2) Avoiding situations that remind you of the event. You may try to avoid situations or people that trigger
memories of the traumatic event. You may even avoid talking or thinking about the event.
3) Negative changes in beliefs and feelings. The way you think about yourself and others may change
because of the trauma. You may feel fear, guilt, or shame. Or, you may not be interested in activities
you used to enjoy. This is another way to avoid memories.
4) Feeling keyed up (also called hyperarousal) You may be jittery, or always alert and on the lookout for
danger. Or, you may have trouble concentrating or sleeping. This is known as hyperarousal.


What other problems do people with PTSD experience?
People with PTSD may also have other problems. These include:

*Feelings of hopelessness, shame, or despair
*Depression or anxiety
*Drinking or drug problems
*Physical symptoms or chronic pain
*Employment problems
*Relationship problems, including divorce

In many cases, treatments for PTSD will also help these other problems, because they are often related. The coping skills you learn in treatment can work for PTSD and these related problems.

http://www.military.com/benefits/veterans-health-care/posttraumatic-stress-disorder-overview.html