What is Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome

Post traumatic stress syndrome,  is commonly known as post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These terms are relatively new for the condition that has doubtless existed since the dawn of man and is apparent in animals too.

Some of the first cases of PTSD to be diagnosed and given a name were in the First World war. Soldiers that had experienced constant bombardment and shelling for days and months on end would be described as suffering from “shell shock”. The outward sign of this trauma syndrome was uncontrollable, nervous shaking. They would be repatriated or hospitalised but there was no real treatment for the condition but bed rest.

Other symptoms of “shell shock” were not always obviously noticeable and could lead to soldiers  going absent without leave, failing to obey orders or being unable to obey orders. In many of these cases the soldiers conditions went undiagnosed and they were court martialed and convicted of cowardice. In the British army, many of these soldiers were executed. A recent Ministry of Defence review has posthumously pardoned 306 soldiers that were executed in this manner.

Post traumatic stress syndrome can be defined as the psychological and physical consequences of  being exposed to stressful and traumatic experiences. The degree to which an individual suffers from PTSD is influenced by the intensity of the stressful experience or stressor, the duration of the stressor and the individual involved.

Symptoms of Post traumatic stress syndrome.

A child that suffers from child abuse or witnesses violent acts can suffer from PTSD. Women that suffer from domestic violence or rape can suffer from PTSD. General catastrophes, like earthquakes, hurricanes and other natural disasters can cause PTSD.Acts of extreme violence to anyone are likely to cause trauma syndrome. It is even theorised that because of the close television media coverage of wars and horrific events like bombings, the viewers can suffer from PTSD.

Symptoms of PTSD can be as varied as the individuals that suffer from it. They, commonly include, nightmares, flashbacks and insomnia. It is thought that the individual is trying to understand the stressful situation and does this by re-enacting the experience. Other symptoms include amnesia, voluntary isolation, lack of appetite, clinical depression, anxiety and hypervigilance.

Treatments for Post traumatic stress disorder

The common treatment for PTSD remains counselling of some form. The individual will talk to a trained mental health professional or will undergo therapy with a group of peers. It is hoped that this process can help the individual to put the traumatic event/s into perspective. They can develop an understanding of the events and a way to go forward with their lives without the trauma plaguing them.

In most cases the individual might start with individual counselling when the trauma is at it's worst and move towards group counselling as the trauma lessens. In this way the individual can share experiences and help other people in similar circumstances. This has the twofold benefit of reducing the trauma and encouraging the individual to be a part of society.

In terms of medication, drugs much like prozac,that act as an anti-depressant, would be prescribed to the individual.  

Summary

Post traumatic stress syndrome is an often violent or massive shock to the individual's system. The consequences of this can manifest in many different ways. By developing an understanding of the traumatic event and how it has affected the individual can he/she move on with their life.     
    

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