POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER

José Pablo AlexandreMariana GarcíaJacqueline FloresDenisse Abaid Esteban Chavez

STRESS “Physiological or biological stress is an organism's response to a stressor such as an environmental condition. Stress is a body's method of reacting to a challenge. According to the stressful event, the body's way to respond to stress is by sympathetic nervous system activation which results in the fight-or-flight response” (Wikipedia [2015]).

POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER If you are involved in or witness a traumatic event, it is common to experience confusing feelings after. The feelings of discomfort may not appear right away, most commonly you feel "emotionally numb at first". After a while you may develope emotional and physical reactions, such as feeling easily upset or not being able to sleep. These along with other symptoms are diagnosed as PTSD. (Mind.org, 2013)

SYMPTOMS OF PTSD The symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, are divided in three categories;1. Reliving: is when you remember thoughts, and memories of the trauma. This

reliving, may include having flashbacks, hallucinations, and sometimes nightmares. For this things to happen, they may remember the date of the event.

2. Avoiding: when this happens, the person who has the trauma, may try to avoid people, places, thoughts, and even though situations that may remind them of the trauma. When avoiding happens, may cause the person to become a lonely person, isolation from not only society and friends, but also from the family.

3. Increased Arousal: this means, that the person has excessive emotions; “problems relating to others, including feeling or showing affection; difficulty falling or staying asleep; irritability; outbursts of anger; difficulty concentrating; and being "jumpy" or easily startled. The person may also suffer physical symptoms, such as increased blood pressure and heart rate, rapid breathing, muscle tension, nausea, and diarrhea” ((WebMd [2015]).

HOW COMMON IS PTSD Posttraumatic stress, was first brought to the attention of the medical community by war veterans with the names ‘shell shock’ and ‘battle fatigue’ syndrome. However, PTSD can occur in anyone who has experienced a traumatic event. People who have been abused as children or who have been repeatedly exposed to life-threatening situations are at greater risk for developing PTSD. (WebMd [2015])

COMMON TREATMENT PTSD is commonly treated by psychiatric treatment depending on the severity of the event. Things such as stress relievers up to anti-depressants are commonly prescribed. (Mayo Clinic, 2014)Psychotherapy: involves helping the person learn skills to manage symptoms and develop ways of coping. Psychotherapy includes, six types; o Cognitive behavioral therapy: means learning to recognize and change thoughts that lead to the trouble emotions.

(WebMd [2015])

…oExposure therapy: means, having the person re-live the traumatic experience, or exposing the person to objects or situations that cause anxiety. This therapy, helps the person confront the fear, and become more comfortable with the situation. oPsychodynamic Therapy: helps the person examine, their personal values and the emotional conflicts that the event caused. oFamily therapy: helps the person, to express the feelings, and to trust the members of his family. oGroup therapy: allows the person, to share his feelings, fears, and thoughts with other people that might been in a similar situation.oEye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing: “is a complex form of psychotherapy that was initially designed to alleviate distress associated with traumatic memories but is now also used to treat phobias” (WebMd [2015]).

REFERENCES Posttraumatic stress. (2015). In Webmd. Recovered from http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/post-traumatic-stress-disorder

Stress. (2015). In Wikipedia. Recovered from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stress_(biology)

Unknown (2013) Mind.org. What is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Retrieved from: http://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/#.Vm9xefnhDcc

Mayo Clinic (2014) Mayo Clinic. PTSD Tests and Diagnosis. Rretrieved from: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/post-traumatic-stress-disorder/basics/tests-diagnosis/con-20022540