Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Case Study

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a relatively new diagnosis that was associated with survivors of war when it was first introduced. Its diagnosis was met largely with skepticism and dismissal by the public of the validity of the illness. PTSD was only widely accepted when it was included as a diagnosis in 1980 in the third edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III) of the American Psychiatric Association. PTSD is a complex mental disorder that develops in response to exposure to a severe traumatic event that stems a cluster of symptoms. Being afflicted with the disorder is debilitating, disrupting an individual’s ability to function and perform the most basic tasks.

When Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is mentioned or thought of, often the thought that enters the mind is military veterans who have witnessed, experienced and even suffered the tragic or violent events of war. It is true military experience can trigger PTSD and PTSD was brought to the attention of the medical profession by war veterans. According to the National Center for PTSD between 11 – 20% of those who served in Iraqi, 12% of those who served in Desert Storm and the numbers have been adjust to 30% of those who served in Vietnam have been diagnosed with PTSD in their lifetime. The National Center for PTSD goes on to list another cause of PTSD in the

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental condition that is normally associated with military combat veterans. Specifically, it is classified as an anxiety disorder that sometimes occurs after being exposed to a traumatic or terrifying event or incident. The Mayo Clinic defines PTSD as a mental health condition that 's triggered by a terrifying event. It is also defined as an anxiety disorder that can develop after the exposure to a terrifying event or ordeal in which grave physical harm occurred or was threatened (Staff, 2014). PTST affects a significant number of our military combat veterans; it can affect anyone who has been subjected to such things as terror events, natural disasters, domestic violence, serious traffic

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychological condition that can follow a traumatic incident (Emory). PTSD can stem from a variety of traumatic events, such as sexual assault, floods, being kidnapped, and major catastrophes like 9/11 (PTSD: A Growing Epidemic). A major symptom of PTSD is re-experiencing trauma by either distressing thoughts or memories, and sometimes by vivid flashbacks in the most severe cases. Other symptoms can include increased anxiety and paranoia, depression, or avoiding situations where flashbacks can be triggered. An estimated 5% of men and 10% of women experience some form of PTSD in their lives (Emory). However, in a smaller demographic, veterans, The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs have estimated

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a deeper mental problem than being anxious and jumpy. Veterans who have PTSD lose themselves as people. PTSD is one of the most common health issues among military personnel who served in a combat zone. When families have a loved one serving in combat zones, they fear that their soldier may not return home or will have a serious physical injury. But unlike the feared physical injuries, PTSD is not a visible wound, it is an injury of the mind. The PTSD will take a part of their loved one away, the veteran will not be at emotional or social. This disorder is an incurable mental condition caused by a traumatic event or events in person’s life. The soldiers who have PTSD have no way to get rid of

PTSD was first taken seriously when the Vietnam veterans returned from the war. Combat experience is the most commonly linked to this disorder. However, studies have shown that there are many different causes. These studies were applied to a wide variety of traumas that people have experienced in various horrific events. According to The National Institute of Mental Health, “about 4% of American adults ages 18-54 suffers from PTSD in a given year. These people have served in wars, have been raped or mugged, lived through natural disasters, terrorist attacks or car or plane crashes” (Mitchell). Anyone who experiences an unnerving situation is at risk for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. PTSD is seen as more of an archaic disorder in the

According to PTSD United, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder used to be considered a psychological condition of combat veterans who were “shocked” by and unable to face their experiences from battle. Soldiers with symptoms of PTSD often faced rejection by their military peers and were feared by society in general. Those who showed signs of PTSD were often removed from combat zones and even discharged from military services, being left labeled as weak (“Post Traumatic Stress”). These implications have been debunked by modern day medical professionals who have given a new definition to the illness to help diagnose those who have it. “PTSD is recognized as a psychological mental disorder that can affect survivors not only of combat experience,

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, also called PTSD, is when someone witnesses or had a role in a traumatic event that leads to a mental health condition. PTSD, is very common with veterans. Statistics, effects on the brain, and effects on relationships show how much this issue desperately needs attention so help can be given to the soldiers.

It is also estimated that approximately twenty percent of these people progress and develop PTSD. One out of every nine women are diagnosed with PTSD which makes them about twice as likely as men to suffer the effects. Prior to PTSD being a clinically diagnosed disorder, our military personnel returning from various wars throughout history were said to be suffering from “shell shock”. Soldiers experiencing this displayed behavior related to having difficulty adjusting the life after combat. The first-time PTSD was identified as a disorder was the result of the Vietnam War. Our soldiers were finally diagnosed correctly and the term Post Traumatic Stress Disorder was first spoken. Currently, mental health providers such as psychiatrists and psychologists can attempt to understand people’s response to these traumatic events and help them recover from the impact of the trauma. Although the disorder must be diagnosed by a mental health professional, symptoms of PTSD are clearly defined. To be diagnosed with PTSD, you must have been in a situation in which placed you at risk for death, serious injury, or sexual violation. Traumatic, life-threatening events leading to PTSD must have been witnessed or experienced in person, and not through media, pictures, television or

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that can develop after experiencing a dangerous and/or terrifying event (Psychology Today, 2015). PTSD is associated with changes in brain function and structure and these changes provide clues to the causes, treatment, and prevention of PTSD (PTSD United, 2013). This condition can appear at any age and currently affects about 7.7 million American adults (Psychology Today, 2015). Before 1980, the legitimacy of PTSD was debated by the general public as well as health professionals (PTSD United, 2013). At one point in time, it was considered a psychological condition of combat veterans who were dismayed by and unable to deal with their experiences on the battlefield (PTSD United, 2013).

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder is a specific anxiety disorder characterized by exposure to an extreme traumatic stressor involving the personal experience or witness of an event that involved actual or threatened death or serious injury, or a threat to the physical integrity of others or self (Barlow). The response resulting from the event is an intense fear, helplessness, and horror. Exposure to this event may cause symptoms such as persistent re-experiencing of the event, persistent avoidance of stimuli associated with the traumatic event, numbing of responsiveness, and symptoms of increased arousal or hypersensitivity (DSM-IV, American Psychiatric Association, 2000). In order for the diagnosis of PTSD these symptoms must continue for at least one month. This disorder causes significant distress and impairment in social, occupational and other important areas of functioning for the individual and is not the same for each person

Veteran courts were established to help counsel, mentor, and treat veterans with the care they needed. The court was established by Robert Russell in Buffalo, NY after he noticed a rise in veterans returning to his court. The court provides these veterans what they need to get back on track. These veteran courts should be an alternate to these once soldiers, so they can get the necessary treatment.

What is post-traumatic stress disorder? Dr. Shira Maguen defines it as an anxiety disorder that may develop after an individual is exposed to one or more traumatic events.(Maguen 2008). In war situations military service members are exposed to many potential traumatic events. They could be put in life threatening danger or could be seriously injured. Witnessing a traumatic event such as a comrade being killed can also affect a service member. To be diagnosed with PTSD a person must also react with helplessness, fear, or horror after or during the traumatic event.

September of 2014 about 2.7 million Americans from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars were diagnosed with PTSD and TBI. There was a 49% percentage rate of diagnosis with veterans who saw combat.Common symptoms leading to diagnosis are vivid flashbacks, anxiety,avoidance and detachment,and guilt caused by the traumatic event. PTSD researched has been limited to the last 35 years, since its recognition of being a disorder in 1980. They found PTSD was a disorder caused by a traumatic event typically in war veterans. They noticed that once a soldier

There are four types of PTSD symptoms: intrusive memories, avoidance, negative changes in thinking and mood, or changes in emotional reactions.