Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Definition

Post traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, occurs after some sort of life-threatening situation such as a personal assault, military combat or terrorist attacks. People can sometimes even experience PTSD without having been involved in the actual event themselves if they witness it happen to someone else.

Most people who experience a stressful event of some type will return to normal shortly afterwards. Some people's reaction does not go away, and will get progressively worse if left untreated. If their reaction to the event is not dealt with, it can sometimes develop into post traumatic stress disorder.

Those who suffer from PTSD often experience the event over and over, through flashbacks or nightmares, and they may develop a detached feeling from their surrounding or have difficult sleeping. These symptoms can sometimes be severe enough to hinder a person's day-to-day life.

PTSD is not entirely a psychological problem. There are also biological changes in a person's body that have been identified as part of the disorder. Because it often occurs alongside other issues, such as alcoholism, memory problems and substance abuse, it can be even worse.

Those who suffer from PTSD often have difficult functioning in their social or family life. This can lead to problems in their school, work or personal relationships.

How To Treat PTSD

There are a number of different treatments for dealing with post traumatic stress disorder, including several forms of psychotherapy such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, group therapy and exposure therapy.

Exposure therapy required the person suffering from PTSD to relive the experience under controlled conditions. With proper guidance, this can help them to work through the trauma that is the root cause of PTSD.

There are also a number of drugs or medications that are used to treat stress disorders. The most common of these are Prozac and Zoloft. These medications help to ease the depression and anxiety associated with PTSD and help the person sleep better.

The treatment that appears to have had the best results is cognitive-behavioral therapy. While medications and drugs often work, they are really just masking the underlying causes of the condition. Many drug trials are still in the early stages, however, so it really still too early for definitive results of the best treatment.

If a person is showing any signs of post traumatic stress, they should consult with their doctor as soon as possible. They will be able to help diagnose the problem and determine the best course of action for treating it.