The etiology of PTSD is a traumatic event that caused an individual to feel extreme stress, horror or helplessness. The brain is very efficient and will protect itself from occurs, such as being raped or being involved in a combat situation, the body reacts and protects itself but the brain is also protecting itself. Brain imaging studies show that the hippocampus and the amygdala are highly affected by traumatic events (Cohen, 2006). The amygdala is responsible for creating the fear response and can set Offa "false alarm". In patients with PTSD it shows a hyperactive amygdala.
The ippocampus is responsible for our formation of memory and studies have shown that there is a loss of volume which can cause some of the memory conditions involved with PTSD (Cohen, 2006). Another factor of PTSD is the hypothalamic- pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is a hormonal system that is related to "normal stress reactions" and is also different if patients with PTSD (Cohen, 2006). There are three separate diagnoses for PTSD and are as follows; acute, chronic and delayed onset. For each there is a different course the disorder will take. Acute PTSD occurs when symptoms are present for less than 3 months.
Chronic PTSD is here symptoms are present for 3 months or longer and delayed onset the symptoms do not present until at least 6 months after a traumatic event (Department of Psychiatry Penn Behavioral Health). PTSD can be unpredictable and each case is different. PTSD usually occurs immediately after the traumatic event however there are instances in which the disorder can appear months or even years later (Department of Psychiatry Penn Behavioral Health). PTSD is also unpredictable for each individual who has suffered from a traumatic event. For some it can be devastating while in others it may only cause a mild intrusion.
This can be seen easily with how those who experience the same tragedy together will follow a different course with PTSD. Some will be highly impacted while others can recover much more quickly (Department of Psychiatry Penn Behavioral Health). This disorder contains four common symptoms. Intrusion is one of the common symptoms and this involves recurrent recollection of the event such as dreams, intrusive memories and extreme emotional or physical reactions to events that remind the person of their trauma (National Institute for Mental Health). Another common symptom is numbing.
This is where those who suffer from PTSD will begin to distance themselves from others is their life. It will present itself in the form of depression which includes loss of interest in activities and reduced ability to feel emotions (National Institute for Mental Health). When a person has PTSD they will also most likely develop fear and avoidance for people, places and activities and this will result in an anxiety disorder such as GAD, panic, social, or specific phobias. This is known as avoidance. The last common symptom of PTSD is Arousal which is an agitated state of constant wakefulness and alertness.
It will also cause sleep disturbances and difficulty concentrating (National Institute for Mental Health). According to the U. S. Department of Veteran Affairs in a survey conducted by the National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R) showed that there was lifetime prevalence of PTSD in adult Americans at a rate of 7-8%. The lifetime prevalence for men ran at 5% and for women at 10% (U. S. Department of Veteran Affairs). The current treatment for PTSD is Psychotherapy combined with medication. Cognitive Behavioral therapy or CBT is one of the most commonly used types of therapy.
This involves, exposure therapy, cognitive reconstructing and stress patients with PTSD understand the event that has caused them the trauma, and how to handle the anxiety that accompanies the disorder. The medications approved for treating this disorder are Paxil and Zoloft both used for treating depression and can help those who suffer from PTSD with feelings of sadness, anxiety, anger or numbness about the trauma (National Institute for Mental Health). The prognosis for PTSD is good as long as the patient is actively involved in the therapy they have chosen.
Participating in therapy has shown a major improvement n the quality of life for those who suffer from PTSD (U. S. Department of Veteran Affairs). PTSD is a problem for many Americans and suffering from trauma is something that could happen to anyone at any time. I believe that the therapy provided for those who suffer from PTSD is effective, however awareness needs to be raised for those who Join the military that this is something they could suffer from when they return home. Also there should be more done to show that there are many others who suffer from PTSD not Just those who were involved in active combat.
Another reatment which is not thought of as much but I feel is highly effective is working with an animal. I have worked with horses and dogs my entire life and I have seen how they change people''s lives. I believe those who suffer from PTSD could benefit greatly from forming a bond with a dog or a horse. Both teach you that you need to have confidence in yourself before the animal will respond to you. I would, if the patient was interested, offer them a chance at working with an animal. This would be another treatment option along with traditional therapy. References American Psychiatric Publishing.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. 2013. Retrieved from http://www. dsm5. org/Documents/PTSD%20Fact%20Sheet. pdf Cohen, H. (2006). What Causes PTSD?. Psych Central. Retrieved from http://psychcentral. com/lib/what- causes-ptsd/000162 Department of Psychiatry Penn Behavioral Health. Retrieved from http://www. med. upenn. edu/ctsa/ptsd_symptoms. html National Institute for Mental Health. Retrieved form http://www. nimh. nih. gov/health/topics/post-traumatic- stress-disorder-ptsd/index. shtml U. S. Department of Veteran Affairs. 2007. Retrieved from http://www. ptsd. va. gov/public/pages/how-common-is-ptsd. asp
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