Posttraumatic Stress Disorder - Essay Example

While not similar to what most would consider to be average stress, PTSD is a condition that is special in cause and also equally as special when it comes to the diagnosis, along with the treatment of it. In defining the condition, "Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), once called shell shock or battle fatigue syndrome, is a serious condition that can develop after a person has experienced or witnessed a traumatic or terrifying event in which serious physical harm occurred or was threatened.

PTSD is a lasting consequence of traumatic ordeals that cause intense fear, helplessness, or horror, such as a sexual or physical assault, the unexpected death of a loved one, an accident, war, or natural disaster. Families of victims can also develop posttraumatic stress disorder, as can emergency personnel and rescue workers," ("Mental Health", p.1). While feeling a sense of fear, or a general mental state that leaves the individual feeling as if they have no recourse that would be afforded to them, is something that many of those inflicted by stress are faced with, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is unique in to itself.

Just as the sufferers of the condition are unique, so can the symptoms be of those inflicted with PTSD. . Some may experience flashbacks, hallucinations, or other vivid feelings of the event happening again. Others experience great psychological or physiological distress when certain things (objects, situations, etc.) remind them of the event. Avoidance- Many with PTSD will persistently avoid things that remind them of the traumatic event. This can result in avoiding everything from thoughts, feelings, or conversations associated with the incident to activities, places, or people that cause them to recall the event.

In others there may be a general lack of responsiveness signaled by an inability to recall aspects of the trauma, a decreased interest in formerly important activities, a feeling of detachment from others, a limited range of emotion, and/or feelings of hopelessness about the future. Increased arousal- Symptoms in this area may include difficulty falling or staying asleep, irritability or outbursts of anger, difficulty concentrating, becoming very alert or watchful, and/or jumpiness or being easily startled.

("Post-Traumatic", p.1). Further causing harm to those suffering from PTSD, the patients endure a re-occurrence of the event(s) which had taken place, over in over in their minds, thus elevating the level of mental angst they are faced with. A trigger of negative feelings can come from something as minuscule as an item(s) that reminds them of what happened, further prolonging their recovery from whatever it was that upset them to severely. To avoid something that brings about negative feelings is something that most human beings could identify with throughout the course of their respective lifetimes.

To mentally, as well as physically, separate from any people, or things,