PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) is an anxiety disorder than can occur after being exposed to a traumatic event. The event involves real or threatened serious injury or death, or a serious threat to the safety or the individual or other people. The person then responds with very intense fear, horror, and/or helplessness. According to the NIMH (National Institute of Mental Health), PTSD can occur at any age. PTSD is often accompanied by substance abuse, depression, or one or more of the other anxiety disorders. Trauma is also often associated with some physical health issues, including fibromyalgia, headaches, and digestive disorders. Research is currently being conducted to better understand the links between trauma and medical illness.
Exposure can incude any of the following: Experiencing the event itself, Witnessing the event and Confronting the event (even in memories).
Traumatic events that may trigger PTSD include accidents, military combat, natural or human-caused disasters, or violent personal assaults.
The traumatic event is experienced repeatedly in one or more of the following ways:- Recurrent, distressing dreams of the event
- Repetitive, distressing memories of the event, including thoughts/images
- Flashbacks (feeling like the event is actually re-occuring in the moment)
- Hypersensitivity to cues reminding the person
People with PTSD may experience some or all of the following symptoms: Difficulty sleeping or eating; Difficulty concentrating; Irritability or angry outbursts; Feeling detached or numb at times; Being easily startled.
Treatment -- Many effective treatments are now more available than ever before, and researchers and therapists are helping develop new and ever-improving therapies to help people with PTSD.
Dr. Becker endeavors to keep current on effective treatments for PTSD in her own training and experience. Treatment is always tailored for each patient's individual needs. Dr. Becker often uses a combination of approaches, including talk therapies, Clinical Hypnosis, and EMDR to treat her patients who have PTSD and trauma symptoms. If you suspect you have PTSD or are experiencing any or the above-mentioned symptoms, it is important that you seek diagnosis and treatment with a physician or licensed mental health professional right away, because effective help is available.
- http://www.isst-d.org (International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation)
- http://www.sidran.org (Sidran Institute)
- http://giftfromwithin.org
- www.mayoclinic.com/health/post-traumatic-stress-disorder/DS00246
