There's been a lot of talk about PTSD recently because of so many Veterans returning from war.
PTSD has been around for a long time, however, the label for this disorder and it's symptoms has changed names over the years. The symptoms of PTSD are normal after a traumatic event. It only becomes diagnosable once the normal recovery process becomes stalled. By stalled I mean the individual is not able to process the event or events into their views of themselves, others and the world around them.
Many people suffering with PTSD also have other related conditions. These include Major Depressive Disorder, Anxiety and/or Panic Disorder, Personality Disorder, and Substance Abuse to name a few. These can either precipitate the condition or develop because of it. Often by treating PTSD many of the related conditions either improve or become resolved.
Symptoms of PTSD follow exposure to a traumatic event or series of traumatic events. These symptoms fall into three catagories, emotional, behavioral, and cognitive. Many individuals suffering with PTSD tend to avoid (behavioral) certain situations, people, and places that bring up feelings (emotional) or memories that are uncomfortable. By using avoidance they try to protect themselves from re-experiencing these uncomfortable sensations. Meanwhile the cognitive aspect also continues to keep people with PTSD stuck by creating thoughts that continue to manufacture emotions like those experienced through PTSD and others, such as guilt, shame, and blame. Finally emotional symptoms can also include anxiety, hyperarousal, insomnia, hypervigilance, irritablity, moodswings, and difficulty concentrating, among others.
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