Explanations of PTSD focus primarily on the way that the mind is affected by traumatic experiences. Theorists speculate upon facing overwhelming trauma, the mind is unable to process information and feelings in a normal way. It is as if the thoughts and feelings at the time of the traumatic event take on a life of their own, later intruding into consciousness and causing distress.
Pre-traumatic psychological factors (for example, low self-esteem) may make this process worse (for example, low self-esteem may be reinforced by a brutal rape). Post-traumatic reactions by others (for example, a raped woman who is viewed by family as “dirty”) and by the self (for example, physical discomfort caused by memories of the rape) may also play a role in influencing whether such symptoms persist. It is hypothesized that only after successful reprocessing of the traumatic event(s) do PTSD symptoms decrease.
In addition, powerful new techniques for studying the brain, its structures and its chemicals are providing scientists with information on the how both brain and mind are important in the development of PTSD. Recent brain imaging studies place emphasis on two brain structures: the amygdala and hippocampus. The amygdala is involved with how we learn about fear, and there is some evidence that this structure is hyperactive in people with PTSD (this can be conceptualized as a “false alarm”). The hippocampus plays an important role in the formation of memory, and there is some evidence that in people with PTSD there is a loss of volume in this structure, perhaps accounting for some of the memory deficits and other symptoms in PTSD.
Other research has
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder My topic is about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder other wise known as PTSD. PTSD is a type of anxiety disorder. It can occur after you've seen or experienced a traumatic event that involved the threat of injury or death. (PubMEd, 2011) I chose this topic because I have heard so many things about troops coming home with PTSD and just wanted to know what causes it, and how it effects peoples everyday life’s. It just really bothers me hearing about something so extraordinary…
more after a traumatic experience. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can develop following a traumatic event that threatens your safety or makes you feel helpless. Most people associate PTSD with battle-scarred soldiers—and military combat. The most common PTSD cause in men—but any overwhelming life experience can trigger PTSD, especially if the event feels unpredictable and uncontrollable. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can affect those who personally experience the catastrophe, those…
throughout the world. Post-traumatic stress disorder also known as PTSD, is a type of anxiety disorder that can occur after you've seen or experienced a traumatic event that involved the threat of injury or death. About 24.5 Americans have had PTSD at any given time. PTSD can happen at any age to anybody. Many things can be the causing factors in giving someone PTSD. Events such as war, assault, rape, terrorism, abuse, and assault. PTSD can be caused from things such as a terrible car accident. Many…
The Effects of PTSD “’I know he’s dead! Don’t you think I know that? I can still like him though, can’t I? Just because somebody’s dead, you don’t stop liking them, for God’s sake—especially if they were about a thousand times nicer than the people you know that’re alive and all’” (Salinger 171). This line from J.D. Salinger’s novel The Catcher in the Rye shows the pain that a traumatic event can bring to a person. This kind of traumatic event can lead to a very serious disorder called Post Traumatic…
The definition of post-traumatic stress disorder according to the mayo clinic is a mental health condition that is triggered by a terrifying event (mayoclinic.com). The symptoms of PTSD vary as far and wide as the traumas that cause them. An individual may experience flashbacks, nightmares, survivor’s guilt, and mild to severe anxiety. After a traumatic event, it is normal to have a difficult time coping. When more severe symptoms present themselves and start to impact the quality of daily life,…
PTSD PTSD stands for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. It is a serious anxiety disorder that people usually get after experiencing a traumatic event. These events are often referred to as triggers. There are many events that can cause PTSD. The most common events are battle at war, sexual abuse or assault, traumatic accidents, and the loss of a loved one, usually a child or spouse. There are many symptoms of PTSD which make it hard to diagnose. These symptoms include, but are not limited to, anxiety…
PTSD Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a psychiatric disorder that can (destroy) ruin peoples lives causing them to be distant from the ones they love. Throughout the book, The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien, O’Brien explains through his writing many issues in connection to the Vietnam War. His detailed views of the Vietnam War clearly show how he copes with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. He goes into depth of the incidences that happen, showing the importance of that event while he was…
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a severe anxiety disorder. The symptoms can develop after an experience of an extremely traumatic stressor, an example would be death or serious injury. Diagnostic symptoms for PTSD include re-experiencing the situation through flashbacks, hallucinations, or nightmares. Uncontrollable thoughts about the event can be a symptom too. If you go through PTSD, it’s difficult adjusting back to normal and hard to cope. Traumatic reactions usually get better with time…
disorder (PTSD) is an incapacitating anxiety disorder that takes place after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic incident that involves either a real or supposed threat of injury or death. This can include a natural tragedy, military combat, an assault, physical or sexual abuse, or other trauma. Once called “shell shock” or “battle fatigue,” PTSD has recently received more public attention because of the high number of war veterans who have the disorder. For those that suffer from PTSD they have…
Mrs. Jacobs World Lit P4 11 December 2013 A Long Way Gone Everyone is like the moon, has two sides, dark and bright, and despite the atrocious acts of darkness the child soldiers has shown, but everyone shall get another chance to change. In Ishmeal Beah’s memoir, A Long Way Gone, Ishmeal finds a way to reconcile with his community. As he has participated in the war, Beah faces the challenges of being an innocent child after being a child solider successfully with the help of UNICEF staff…