It was then called shell shock, combat exhaustion, nostalgia, railroad spine. History has given it so many names, but all described the same set of behavior when a person has experienced or witnessed a very traumatic event. Now, it is recognized as a medical condition and in some countries, people who have the disorder are considered legally invalid or disabled.
During the 1980s, its scientific term was recognized. Now that we have a name to call the illness, the rise of modern psychology gave way to more information, leading to more interventions including telepsychiatry for post-traumatic stress disorder. In the presence of conflicts worldwide, the increase of crimes and violence, terrorism and stronger natural disasters, more trauma victims are coming forward for help, and the best thing you can do for those at risk is to notice the warning signs before it is too late.
Witnessing or experiencing something terrible such as a crime or an accident is enough fuel for some people to have PTSD. Surviving catastrophes, such as earthquakes or typhoons, or being in a war zone will also cause people to be at risk, although some people are more resilient than others. Resiliency signs include effective coping strategies, calm in the face of harm, having great social support, and the ability to respond well to dangerous situations. Those who are prone to PTSD are more likely to feel helpless, anxious, extremely fearful, and have little or no help after a traumatic event.
Scientists have been focusing on genes and brain areas in their roles in dealing with fear and trauma. Stathmin, for example, is a protein in genes that are needed in the formation of fear memories. During an experiment, mice who have no stathmin are less prone to freeze when in danger, and show lesser fear compared to their stathmin producing fellows.
Being psychologically healthy also depends on how your brain functions. Persons who are prone to PTSD have underdeveloped or impaired amygdalas and prefrontal complexes. The amygdala is responsible for evoking emotions, learning, and recall when something happens, while the prefrontal cortex handles our ability to solve problems and judging situations. Understanding how our brain and genes betray some of us will be a vital part in pointing out who is at risk for the syndrome.
A set of one reexperiencing symptom plus two hyperarousal symptoms and three avoidance symptoms are the constituents for a diagnosis. Often, mundane objects, words, and circumstances can kickstart the reexperiencing process. Reexperiencing includes flashbacks, bad dreams, and fearful thoughts that could modify the lifestyle of the victim.
Avoidance symptoms such as being numb emotionally, staying away from objects or places that remind them of the terrible experience, feelings of guilt, anxiety and depression, and such can make a patient modify his daily routine in order to keep himself away from all the reminders. He might also lose interest in the things he used to enjoy before the traumatic event. He may also have trouble in recalling the details of the said event.
Two hyperarousal symptoms are necessary to complete the criteria. The victim would often develop insomnia, become easily agitated, provoked, and startled, and are listless and tense most of the time. These set of symptoms are not evoked, rather, they are consistent.
People who have reached all three requirements for diagnosis must undergo therapeutic sessions, most notably cognitive behavioral therapy. Psychiatrists may also prescribe the approved drugs such as sertraline and paroxetine. For utter prevention, critical incident stress debriefing has been imposed immediately after a traumatic event to halt the possibility of PTSD.
During the 1980s, its scientific term was recognized. Now that we have a name to call the illness, the rise of modern psychology gave way to more information, leading to more interventions including telepsychiatry for post-traumatic stress disorder. In the presence of conflicts worldwide, the increase of crimes and violence, terrorism and stronger natural disasters, more trauma victims are coming forward for help, and the best thing you can do for those at risk is to notice the warning signs before it is too late.
Witnessing or experiencing something terrible such as a crime or an accident is enough fuel for some people to have PTSD. Surviving catastrophes, such as earthquakes or typhoons, or being in a war zone will also cause people to be at risk, although some people are more resilient than others. Resiliency signs include effective coping strategies, calm in the face of harm, having great social support, and the ability to respond well to dangerous situations. Those who are prone to PTSD are more likely to feel helpless, anxious, extremely fearful, and have little or no help after a traumatic event.
Scientists have been focusing on genes and brain areas in their roles in dealing with fear and trauma. Stathmin, for example, is a protein in genes that are needed in the formation of fear memories. During an experiment, mice who have no stathmin are less prone to freeze when in danger, and show lesser fear compared to their stathmin producing fellows.
Being psychologically healthy also depends on how your brain functions. Persons who are prone to PTSD have underdeveloped or impaired amygdalas and prefrontal complexes. The amygdala is responsible for evoking emotions, learning, and recall when something happens, while the prefrontal cortex handles our ability to solve problems and judging situations. Understanding how our brain and genes betray some of us will be a vital part in pointing out who is at risk for the syndrome.
A set of one reexperiencing symptom plus two hyperarousal symptoms and three avoidance symptoms are the constituents for a diagnosis. Often, mundane objects, words, and circumstances can kickstart the reexperiencing process. Reexperiencing includes flashbacks, bad dreams, and fearful thoughts that could modify the lifestyle of the victim.
Avoidance symptoms such as being numb emotionally, staying away from objects or places that remind them of the terrible experience, feelings of guilt, anxiety and depression, and such can make a patient modify his daily routine in order to keep himself away from all the reminders. He might also lose interest in the things he used to enjoy before the traumatic event. He may also have trouble in recalling the details of the said event.
Two hyperarousal symptoms are necessary to complete the criteria. The victim would often develop insomnia, become easily agitated, provoked, and startled, and are listless and tense most of the time. These set of symptoms are not evoked, rather, they are consistent.
People who have reached all three requirements for diagnosis must undergo therapeutic sessions, most notably cognitive behavioral therapy. Psychiatrists may also prescribe the approved drugs such as sertraline and paroxetine. For utter prevention, critical incident stress debriefing has been imposed immediately after a traumatic event to halt the possibility of PTSD.
About the Author:
Read all about telepsychiatry for post-traumatic stress disorder and how you can receive treatment. The most recommended source that contains this information appears right here on http://www.online-therapeutics.com.
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