Mental disorder PTSD

Mental disorder PTSD

Introduction

According to Dunmore, Clark, & Ehlers (2001), (PTSD) post-traumatic stress disorder is actually a disorder that develop mainly in some people who have underwent a scary, dangerous, or shocking event. We can say it is natural to feel afraid basically during and after a traumatic situation. Nearly we can say everyone will experience a range of reactions after a trauma, and yet most of people recover from initial symptoms just naturally. A lot of research has been done and many articles written about PTSD but this paper asserts to discuss the  possible causes of PTSD, its symptoms, and treatment options as well  in in-depth manner.

Causes and effect of PTSD

Majorly, PTSD is not caused by one single factor; rather a combination of risk factors as well as predisposition that basically work together causing its development. According to Allen, (2001) there are some well idedified causes for PTSD such as; Genetic inheritance, brain structures, ones historical brain environment as well as ones brain psychology.

First genetic inheritance shows that anxiety disorders tent to run in families.in addition people who have first degree relatives who normally struggle with anxiety disorders are at a high risk for developing the disorder themselves. Since there isn’t definite cause for PTSD, it does make one more and more vulnerable to developing this disorder after a traumatic event (Brewin, Andrews, & Valentine, 2000).

Second, according to brain structures, here it is believed that certain areas of the brain that regulate emotions and fear of some people are totally different as compared to those who do not develop PTSD after a traumatic event. According to Andreski, Chilcoat, & Breslau, (1998) ones brains psychology is also a matter of consideration whereby people who struggle with certain types of mental illness, depression as well as notably anxiety are at a high risk aimed at emerging post-traumatic stress disorder.

According to one’s historic environment those who have been recently been infected with trauma and stress can be more likely to grow PTSD than those who do not have a similar history. I in addition children who grow up mainly in families where addiction is present are most likely to develop post-traumatic stress disorder (Allen, 2001).

Symptoms of PTSD

From a general point of view, there are four types of PTSD symptoms. Hyperarousal is one of the symptoms whereby one is always on the lookout for dangers.in addition one may be jittery and suddenly become angry (Brewin, Andrews, & Valentine, 2000). Under this symptom one may have a hard time during his/her sleep. Moreover one may also experience some trouble in matters pertaining concentration. Secondly one may start avoiding situations that initiate remembrances of the traumatic event for example one may avoid driving if his/her military convoy was bombed

Now there is also a symptom whereby one may strive to relieve the event commonly known as re-experiencing symptoms. Here memories of the traumatic event can come back at any time making one feel the same fear one did when the event occurred. For example one may have nightmares and feel like he/she is going through the event again as well. Finally one may have negative changes in beliefs and feeling as a result of trauma (Andreski, Chilcoat, & Breslau,1998). For example one may think that the world is completely dangerous and no one can be trusted.

Treatment

PTSD has several treatment option one should seek in case of one being infected. For instance one may go for medication whereby one is administered with mood stabilizers, antidepressants as well as antipsychotic drugs. In addition one may also adopt self- management strategies such as self- soothing which is helpful to ground a person and bring him back to reality after a flashback.  Finally one can also go for psychotherapy such as group therapy in order to get rid of the trauma (Brewin, Andrews, & Valentine, 2000).

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In conclusion, since PTSD symptoms start immediately after the traumatic event, one should keep  track of his/her symptoms and talk to someone whom he/she trust about him. Incase o extreme cases one should seek professional help from either a doctor or counselor in order to curb PTSD.

References

Allen, J. G. (2001). Traumatic relationships and serious mental disorders. John Wiley & Sons       Ltd.

Andreski, P., Chilcoat, H., & Breslau, N. (1998). Post-traumatic stress disorder and somatization symptoms: a prospective study. Psychiatry research, 79(2), 131-138.

Brewin, C. R., Andrews, B., & Valentine, J. D. (2000). Meta-analysis of risk factors for    posttraumatic stress disorder in trauma-exposed adults. Journal of consulting and clinical           psychology, 68(5), 748.

De Jong, J. T., Komproe, I. H., & Van Ommeren, M. (2003). Common mental disorders in            postconflict settings. The lancet, 361(9375), 2128-2130.

Dunmore, E., Clark, D. M., & Ehlers, A. (2001). A prospective investigation of the role of                        cognitive factors in persistent posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after physical or sexual assault. Behaviour research and therapy, 39(9), 1063-1084.