From the Experts: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

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By April Bradford

Today at 10:05 AM
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Note from the Editor:

This article was written for the SDC by psychologist and member @Jan A. Jan A. works part-time, taking on clients under the Medicare Mental Health Care Plans. She works with people of all ages, from children to seniors!

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (often shortened to PTSD) is a debilitating condition that generates anxiety, depression, sleep disorders and assorted other associated conditions. When first recognised as a condition, it was mostly associated with combat. It was termed 'shell shock' or 'battle fatigue'.

Over time, it has come to be recognised as a response to highly traumatic events not necessarily related to combat. It might be most easily described as 'extended shock’.

Treatment and support is available. Image Credit: Shutterstock

The 2010 International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems 10th Revision (ICD-10) describes PTSD as follows:

‘Arises as a delayed or protracted response to a stressful event or situation (of either brief or long duration) of an exceptionally threatening or catastrophic nature, which is likely to cause pervasive distress in almost anyone. Predisposing factors, such as personality traits (e.g. compulsive, asthenic) or previous history of neurotic illness, may lower the threshold for the development of the syndrome or aggravate its course, but they are neither necessary nor sufficient to explain its occurrence. Typical features include episodes of repeated reliving of the trauma in intrusive memories ('flashbacks'), dreams or nightmares, occurring against the persisting background of a sense of 'numbness ' and emotional blunting, detachment from other people, unresponsiveness to surroundings, anhedonia, and avoidance of activities and situations reminiscent of the trauma. There is usually a state of autonomic hyperarousal with hypervigilance, an enhanced startle reaction, and insomnia. Anxiety and depression are commonly associated with the above symptoms and signs, and suicidal ideation is not infrequent. The onset follows the trauma with a latency period that may range from a few weeks to months. The course fluctuates, but recovery can be expected in the majority of cases. In a small proportion of cases, the condition may follow a chronic course over many years, with an eventual transition to an enduring personality change.’

PTSD can arise when a person:

(i) experiences an event where the person believes they are threatened with death or serious personal injury, such as in crimes, war, accidents, torture and natural disasters, or
(ii) witnesses such events happening to another or others, or
(iii) learns of such an event happening to family or other close associates.

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