Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is finally getting the recognition that it deserves.  There was a time where most people had not even heard of it, much less knew what it was, now slowly, that’s changing. 

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a type of anxiety disorder that can develop after a traumatic or terrifying event that caused someone harm and/or put their life in grave danger. Not everyone who experiences a traumatic event will develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

The symptoms of Post Traumatic Disorder are flashbacks and nightmares of the traumatic event, dissociative reliving the trauma, avoidance that can turn into phobias of places, people and experiences that remind them of the trauma, hyperarousal, sleep problems, trouble concentrating, irritability, anger, memory problems, being easily startled, hypervigilance, hearing or seeing things that aren’t there and feelings of hopelessness. 

Post Traumatic Disorder also has physical symptoms that include high blood pressure, increased heart rate, rapid breathing, muscle tension, nausea and diarrhea.

The causes of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder are biology and genetics, life experiences, temperament and changes in the natural chemicals of the brain. Traumatic events that can cause Post Traumatic Stress Disorder are rape, torture, war, child abuse, kidnapping, car, plane or train accidents, bombings and natural disasters. Other risk factors for the disorder include mothers who have an unusually difficult delivery during child birth, patients who gain partial consciousness during surgery and those with cancer or who have heart attacks may also be at risk for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a very serious condition that needs immediate treatment.  The effects of this disorder can be life changing for the person who suffers from it and for their family and friends.  Don’t wait until it’s too late to get help.

Filed under: Fitness

Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!