Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) - Research Paper Example

Post-traumatic stress disorder is characterized by intrusive memories, avoidance and emotional numbing, anxiety, and increased emotional arousal. As is the case with many anxiety disorders, there is no concrete cause of post-traumatic stress disorder. Each individual will have their own unique trigger. Nevertheless, there are theories of causation and a variety of factors that have shown to contribute to the developing of post-traumatic stress disorder. Post-traumatic stress disorder, as a whole, can be caused by “an event that is life-threatening or that severely compromises the emotional well-being of an individual or causes intense fear (Hibberd & Elwood, 2010).

” As such, a primary cause of post-traumatic stress disorder is experience; however, aside from experiencing psychological trauma, individuals can also be prone to develop the disorder through neuroendocrinology and genetics. As previously stated, a core cause of post-traumatic stress disorder is the experiencing or witnessing of a traumatic event that causes the individual to feel intense fear. Victims of sexual abuse, physical abuse, and neglect, especially during their childhood, are at risk for developing post-traumatic stress disorder.

These individuals increase their risks when they do not get help for their abuse or neglect in a timely manner, which would prevent them from certain emotional downfalls. Military men and women, doctors, police officers, firefighters, and emergency response teams experience and witness horrific and traumatic events on a daily basis. These individuals consistently put themselves at risk for developing post-traumatic stress disorder, which is why these careers involve intense screening to determine who is the most emotionally capable to handle the extreme conditions of such jobs.

People who have witnessed or experienced a horrific car accident, a murder, a natural disaster, or a life-threatening illness are also