Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental illness that occurs after you are exposed to an event that causes an intense feeling of anxiety, helplessness or fear. Some of these may include rape/sexual abuse, war, torture, or natural disasters. Between 50 and 80 percent of people may experience a trauma in their lifetime that can cause PTSD, but not all of them will develop the disorder, or if they do, may recover by themselves in a few weeks.
Some of the risk factors may include a family history of mental health problems, as well as personal history of trauma or mental illness. Biological factors may predispose you to suffer from PTSD. Additionally, social factors, such as a lack of support from family and friends may be a complicating factor.
When you have PTSD and experience something that reminds you of the event, you may suffer from symptoms such as:
- Re-living the traumatic event-recurrent memories and vivid nightmares
- Avoiding cues that may remind you of the traumatic event
- Amnesia about important aspects of the event
- Disturbed sleep
- Depressed mood
- Social withdrawal
- Being easily startled
- Feeling emotiolly numb
These symptoms often cause difficulties in a person's work, study or personal relationships. Treatment for PTSD may include psychological treatment to change thought patters. This theraphy is the best treatment for anxiety disorder such as PTSD. In certain cases such as severe PTSD, antidepressants and short-term use of sedatives may be effective.
