Posttraumatic Stress Disorder - Free Essay Example

Posttraumatic stress disorder also known as PTSD is a disorder resulting from the exposure to a major stressor, with symptoms of anxiety, dissociation, nightmares, poor sleep, reliving the event, and concentration problems, lasting for more than 1 month; symptoms may appear immediately or not occur until six months or later after the traumatic event. Many people think of posttraumatic stress disorder as a disease that cannot be fixed but it simply is very normal for someone to feel afraid after suffering from a traumatic event (Ciccarelli, White, 2017) The effects of PTSD are not limited to a certain age group, gender, or societal class. Approximately, over 13 million Americans will suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder within their lifetime. During the process of developing PTSD there are many signs and symptoms from which an individual may suffer. Throughout this time, it is highly suggested that an individual seek help to aid in coping. As many years have passed by there has been a stigma placed on this disease that you shouldnt go get help but there are many outlets an individual can use to receive treatment. Many individuals within the military will develop some kind of PTSD within their career. Some cases are heard, and some are hidden. Posttraumatic stress disorder is not a disease that cannot be treated, but a disorder that can be corrected by the hands of the nation. Signs and Symptoms In order to be diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder you must have certain symptoms for at least one month. These symptoms can be broken down into four different type of section such as re-experiencing symptoms, avoidance symptoms, arousal and reactivity symptoms or cognition and mood symptoms. The symptoms are all grouped differently with other that share the same characteristics. Re-experiencing symptoms include flashbacks, bad dreams, and frightening thoughts. Avoidance symptoms include staying away from places or events that are reminders of the experience or avoiding thoughts or feelings related to the traumatic event. Arousal and reactivity symptoms include being startled easily, feeling tense, or having difficulty sleep or having angry outbursts. Last but not least cognition and mood symptoms include trouble remembering key features, negative thoughts about oneself, distorted feelings like guilt or blame, and the loss of interest in enjoyable symptoms. Children may have symptoms such as wetting the bed, forgetting how to talk, or being very clingy with a parent. One major factor that coincides with cognition symptoms is the thought of suicide. In the article A Prospective Investigation of the Impact of Distinct Posttraumatic (PTSD) Symptom Clusters on Suicidal Ideation, the authors discuss the correlation between posttraumatic stress disorder and the development of suicide. The article states after the research is complete that This finding suggests that hyperarousal symptom cluster is the most critical PTSD symptom cluster in relation to suicidal ideation and emphasizes the need for continuously monitoring and therapeutically targeting hyperarousal symptoms to prevent suicidal ideation in people with PTSD symptoms (Panagioti, Anglekis, Tarrier, Gooding, 2017, p 645). Posttraumatic stress disorders have many of symptoms and signs but also have many outlets with things to do and places to go to receive treatment. Treatments There are many treatments to address the symptoms of PTSD. It is very beneficial if an individual chooses a treatment plan that includes their preferences. The most used treatment plans include psychotherapy and medication. Cognitive Process Therapy is a behavioral therapy that addressed negative thoughts and self-blame. Another psychotherapy treatment includes Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. This includes the measuring of exposure to memories with stimuli. The Exposure Therapy is used to expose an individual to the traumatic event to allow the member to get used to it. Group Therapy is a treatment that includes others that have been through a traumatic event. The use of psychotherapy and medication together is classified as the best results. Medications used for posttraumatic stress disorder include antidepressants, serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and medical marijuana. Some other examples of treatments for PTSD include yoga, aqua therapy, acupuncture, mindfulness and meditation strategies and practices, and even a service dog. A great number of Americans that suffer from PTSD have served or is currently serving military. Military Members. As a member in the military there is always an increased risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder. This can be caused my many things such as a deployment, bullets firing in a war zone or an improvised explosive device detonating. In the article, PTSD Intervention with Military Service Member Parents: A Call for Relational Approaches the authors discuss the unique challenges on service members and their family. The article states, The extensive impact of PTSD on service members who have deployed post-9/11 has been well documented (Kok, Herrell, Thomas, Hoge, 2012); PTSD has been shown to interfere substantially with mission readiness, quality of social and family life, and parenting. In fact, a number of studies have shown that the severity of PTSD symptoms is inversely correlated with both spousal and child relationship quality and stability (DeVoe, Dondanville, Blakenship, Hummel, 2018, p 41). It is clear that PTSD not only affects the member when they ar e in service but affects the relationship with their family when they come home. Most troops are given an assessment upon return of home coming and encouraged to receive treatment if needed. Conclusion There is no timestamp on trauma. There isnt a formula that you can insert yourself into to get from horror to healed. Be patient. Take up space. Let your journey be the balm. (Serra) Post-traumatic stress disorder is a disorder that develops in some people who have experiences a shocking, scary, or dangerous event. There are many signs and symptoms of an individual with post-traumatic stress disorder but there is also a various number of treatments to assist with this disorder. As military troops serve this country, they should be served with an enormous amount of respect for the environments and conflicts they are placed in. As a society we should join in hands and let it be known that this is natural to fear and be scared of certain events, but we can overcome this disorder.