Posttraumatic stress disorder

General or Other | Psychiatry | Posttraumatic stress disorder (Disease)


Description

Posttraumatic stress disorder also known as PTSD is the name for a sever anxiety disorder that may develop as a result of the exposure to any event that results in psychological trauma. This event may involve the threat of death to oneself or to someone else, or to ones own or someone elses physical, sexual, or psychological integrity, overwhelming the individuals coping acitvity.

Formal diagnostic criteria (both DSM-IV-TR and ICD-10) require that the symptoms last more than one month and cause significant impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

Causes and Risk factors

As an effect of psychological trauma PTSD is less frequent and more enduring than the more commonly seen acute stress response. Diagnostic symptoms for PTSD include re-experiencing the original trauma or traumas through either nightmare or flashbacks, avoidance of stimuli associated with the trauma, and increased arousal—such as difficulty in falling or staying asleep, anger and hypervigilence.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Post-traumatic stress disorder treatment can help you regain a sense of control over your life. With successful post-traumatic stress disorder treatment, you can also feel better about yourself and learn ways to cope if any symptoms arise again.

Post-traumatic stress disorder treatment often includes both medication and psychotherapy. Combining these treatments can help improve your symptoms and teach you skills to cope better with the traumatic event — and life beyond it. ...