Mental illnesses affect millions of people across the globe. The severity of mental illnesses varies. Some experience a milder form of mental stress that is characterized by social anxiety or nervousness. On the other hand, a large percentage of sufferers must cope daily with recollections and thoughts that disrupt their life. Depression results in many being unable to rise from bed in the morning, and is the number one reason why many commit suicide each year. Those who have never experienced a traumatic situation, or who have never dealt with depression and anxiety may underestimate the seriousness of mental illnesses. One mental illness that has gained much attention in recent years is post-traumatic stress disorder.

What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?

Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is an anxiety disorder that is triggered from an emotional experience. Many times, those who experience PTSD have endured an unbelievable experience, or have witnessed an event that leaves a negative imprint on their mind. In most cases, PTSD is triggered from a life-threatening event such as war, a natural disaster, accident, or hostage situation. PTSD does not affect everyone. There are individuals who have endured many terrible events throughout their life and do not display any lasting effects, whereas some may develop PTSD after a single life changing event. It is estimated that post-traumatic stress disorder affects 5 million adults in the United States.

How Does Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Develop?

Post-traumatic stress disorder may develop immediately following a traumatic experience, or not surface for many years after the event. In most cases, many begin to show signs of PTSD within days of an event. Among the people who will live through a traumatic experience, 28% will develop some form of PTSD. Milder forms of the disorder may appear immediately, and subside as time passes. However, approximately 30% of all those affected with PTSD will develop a chronic form of the disorder that will become a life-long battle. Fortunately, PTSD has remission periods, in which the sufferer will not experience any overwhelming memories or flashbacks of their past events.

How Common is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?

PTSD is a common illness that has been affecting people for several decades. It is estimated that 7% of the American population will experience some form of post-traumatic stress disorder. PTSD became a well-known illness in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s. During this period, PTSD mainly affected soldiers returning from war. These individuals observed ungodly events that no human should ever witness. They were surrounded by combat shooting, killings, dead corpses, and so forth. Understandably, these images are powerful enough to haunt them for the rest of their lives.

Who Develops Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?

Those who are unfamiliar with PTSD assume that this condition only affect war victims. Although a large percentage of sufferers have served in combat, millions of those who develop PTSD are not in military service. Post-traumatic stress disorder affects men and women. Women who have been raped, taken as a hostage, robbed, and so forth are more prone to PTSD. Similarly, men who have been raped, abused, or neglected as a child may also experience some degree of PTSD. Post-traumatic stress disorder also affects individual who have lived through a natural disaster. Natural disasters include hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis, and so forth. Thousands, perhaps millions of people die during natural disasters. The simultaneous, sudden loss of several family members, property, and livelihood are too much for many to handle. Although PTSD may affect anyone, certain factors increase a person’s odds of developing the disorder. These include:

• History of depression or anxiety
• Family history of mental illness
• Early separation from parents
• Childhood neglect
• Alcohol or drug abuse
• History of sexual abuse

Lasting Effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

The lasting effects of post-traumatic stress vary. The effect depends highly on the brain function with respects to the hippocampus and the amygdala. These two brain components are involved with processing memory and the body’s response to fear. Those with PTSD experience altered brain activity which results in overpowering memories and flashbacks from distressing experiences. In addition, PTSD produces abnormal hormone levels. These hormones are vital for helping our bodies and mind manage stress. When hormone levels decrease, so does the ability to cope with life altering, stressful events.

Individuals who live with post-traumatic stress are also prone to develop other mental illnesses. Nearly 47% of all sufferers will experience severe episodes of depression, 43% will develop behavioral or conduct problems, and 28% will show signs of phobias that did not exist prior to the trauma. Post-traumatic stress disorder also contributes to alcohol and drug abuse.

Family troubles are also a common problem area among those who suffer from post-traumatic stress. There have been incidents of returning war soldiers assaulting or abusing family members. Moreover, it is estimated that the divorce rate among war soldiers is nearly 50%. In addition to developing additional mental illnesses or experiencing domestic problems, sufferers of PTSD are also prone to headaches, dizziness, digestive problems, and immune system problems.

Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders

Symptoms of PTSD may be debilitating or mild. In the early stages of stress, sufferers may not understand their condition, or feel that they are “losing their mind.” During mild episodes of stress, victims may be able to manage painful memories with anti-anxiety medications. However, if the severity of the condition increases, medical attention is necessary. Signs of post-traumatic stress disorder include:

Flashbacks or reliving traumatic events: Sufferers may temporary lose their sense of reality. Their mind takes them back to the event, and they relive feelings associated with the experience.

Becoming emotionally distraught over seemingly unimportant events: Those with post-traumatic stress disorder may become emotionally distraught after viewing the news, television programs, or hearing certain sounds. For example, war soldiers may “lose their sense of reality” whenever they hear sirens, firecrackers, or any other sound that is similar to gunshots. Rape victims may experience a similar episode when they encounter a person that physically resembles their attacker.

Emotionally tense or alert: Post-traumatic stress victims experience periods of tenseness. During these episodes they are unable to relax. This results in insomnia, panic attacks, irritability, emotional outbursts, and unexplained phobias.

Treatment Options for PTSD

Counseling is very effective for treating post-traumatic stress disorder. Those who experience severe, debilitating symptoms may be required to enter a psychiatric hospital for around-the-clock care. Anti-depressants also relieve symptoms of PTSD. Individuals living with PTSD should not avoid consulting a professional. Counseling and medication will reduce symptoms, and help victims lead a normal life. Moreover, taking advantage of treatment options increases a person’s chance of fully recovering from post-traumatic stress disorder.