| Post-traumatic stress disorder is a debilitating | | | | intervention is necessary to ensure their mental |
| psychological condition caused after witnessing or | | | | and physical survival. Protection from further |
| being involved in a major traumatic event. The | | | | danger, treatment of physical injuries, food, |
| event may be childhood abuse, rape, war, a | | | | shelter, water, clothing, and reconnection with |
| terrorist act, death of a loved one, a natural | | | | loved ones or an immediate social network can |
| disaster, or a catastrophic accident. But regardless | | | | help survivors recover from a traumatic event. |
| of the cause, the development of post traumatic | | | | Relaxation Techniques: Learn how to relax by |
| stress disorder often leads to feelings of extreme | | | | practicing meditation and breathing techniques. This |
| fear, helplessness, or horror. After the traumatic | | | | can help you manage flashbacks and clear the |
| event, many people experience nightmares, | | | | mind of disturbing images associated with post |
| daytime memories of the event, difficulty | | | | traumatic stress disorder. |
| sleeping, numbness of emotions, or sometimes | | | | Get Connected: Although the tendency may be to |
| even personality changes. For many people, these | | | | withdraw, it is important to stay connected with |
| symptoms stop within a month. Post traumatic | | | | friends and family members as you recover from |
| stress disorder occurs when these symptoms | | | | post traumatic stress disorder. Also, consider |
| continue for months or years. | | | | joining a support group where you can meet |
| Symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder | | | | other people who have been involved in traumatic |
| The symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder | | | | experiences and learn new methods for handling |
| usually occur within three months of the traumatic | | | | your condition. |
| event, although sometimes the disorder does not | | | | Drama Therapy: Re-enacting the event through |
| develop until several years after the initial trauma. | | | | drama therapy may be an effective way for |
| Once the symptoms start, they may fade away | | | | survivors of post traumatic stress disorders to |
| again within one to six months. However, the | | | | work through the emotions and triggers of the |
| symptoms may continue for much longer, and in | | | | traumatic event. |
| some cases, the problem may become chronic. | | | | Therapy: There are several types of therapy that |
| On of the most troubling symptoms of post | | | | may be useful in the treatment of post traumatic |
| traumatic stress disorder is the development of | | | | stress disorder. |
| flashbacks that cause the survivor to relive a | | | | Cognitive Therapy: This method focuses on the |
| traumatic event. Flashbacks can be triggered by | | | | repetitive review of traumatic events and |
| sounds, smells, feelings, or images. During a | | | | identification of negative behaviors and thoughts. |
| flashback, the sufferer may completely lose touch | | | | In theory, cognitive therapy allows sufferers to |
| with reality, believing that the traumatic event is | | | | change their reactions to stresses and relieve the |
| occurring all over again. Flashbacks can last for | | | | symptoms of stress. |
| minutes or even hours. | | | | Group Therapy: Group therapy allows survivors of |
| People who suffer from post traumatic stress | | | | a traumatic event such as war or childhood abuse |
| disorder also often experience avoidance and | | | | to reconnect with a social network. It may be |
| arousal symptoms. Avoidance symptoms include | | | | helpful in decreasing psychological distress, |
| an inability to remember the event, a conscious | | | | depression, and anxiety among post traumatic |
| desire to avoid discussing the event, an inability to | | | | stress disorder sufferers. |
| feel or express emotions, or an impending sense | | | | Natural Medicine: Some well known natural |
| of doom. Arousal symptoms involve difficulty | | | | remedies for PTSD: |
| concentrating, over active startle reactions, | | | | ~ Lithium Orotate ~ Sam-E ~ Oxy-Powder ~ |
| moodiness, tendency towards violence, ad | | | | DMAE ~ MACA ~ Rhodiola ~ |
| memory problems. | | | | Can be special ordered through |
| Other common symptoms of post traumatic | | | | Coping With Post Traumatic Stress Disorder |
| stress disorder include hyper alertness, fear and | | | | For many survivors of a traumatic event, the |
| anxiety, nightmares, anger and irritability, guilt, | | | | symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder will |
| depression, increased substance abuse, pessimistic | | | | never completely go away. They will diminish, |
| outlook, and decreased sexual activity. | | | | allowing the survivor to resume daily activities and |
| In addition to the above symptoms, children with | | | | enjoy life again, but a trigger of the traumatic |
| post traumatic stress disorder may experience | | | | event may cause some of the symptoms to |
| learning disabilities and memory or attention | | | | reoccur. Recovery may lead to fewer reactions |
| problems. They may also become more | | | | and reactions that are less intense. But it is |
| dependent, anxious, or even self-abusing. | | | | important for sufferers of post traumatic stress |
| Diagnosing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder | | | | disorder to learn how to cope with these |
| The diagnosis of post traumatic stress disorder | | | | reactions so that they can get past more quickly |
| involves the presence avoidance and arousal | | | | and effectively. Coping methods include talking |
| symptoms as well as at least one of the following | | | | about the traumatic event and finding ways to |
| intrusive symptoms: | | | | distract yourself from stressful triggers. |
| 1. Flashbacks | | | | Talk It Out: Strengthen your social network of |
| 2. Sleep Disorders: Difficulty sleeping, nightmares, | | | | close family and friends so that you will have |
| night terrors | | | | people to turn to if you feel stress coming on. |
| 3. Intense anxiety triggered by events associated | | | | Also, connect with other survivors that can |
| with the trauma | | | | empathize and offer suggestions for help. |
| Treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder | | | | Distraction: Learn what activities can distract you |
| Emergency Care: For those who have just been | | | | from stress if you know a situation is likely to |
| exposed to a traumatic event, immediate | | | | trigger a stressful response. |