Everyone experiences situations or events that are troublesome and result in symptoms that may affect their ability to function normally for a period of time. Some of these events may even be traumatic, such as the unexpected death of a friend or family member. Although such occurrences can be difficult to cope with, they are considered to be within the realm of normal human experience.
The types of trauma that result in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are events that most people do not experience such as brutal rape, torture, natural disasters or fighting in a war. Since we’ve rarely observed others coping successfully with such events or discussed the topic with those who’ve had the experience, we aren’t mentally, emotionally or physically prepared to cope with the traumatic event. As a result, we may develop troublesome symptoms related to the trauma that are difficult or impossible to control that interfere with our ability to maintain normal day-to-day functioning.
Often people with PTSD suffer additional distress as they don’t know anyone who has undergone a similar experience and feel no one can understand their pain.
At Abilene our trained staff can help you make your way through this overwhelming distress and find your way back to a normal, happy, enjoyable life filled with pleasurable activities and people.
Statistics
In the U.S. the yearly incidence rates for PTSD are estimated to be 3.5%. Lifetime prevalence rates have been estimated to be 8.7%. Rates of PTSD are higher among individuals who have a greater likelihood of being exposed to trauma such as firefighters, police officers, nurses, first responders, and veterans.
The highest rates of PTSD are found among survivors of rape, individuals in active military combat, captivity (POW’s), and survivors of ethnic or political genocide. The rates of PTSD in these survivors have been estimated to be as high as 50%.
Evidence suggests the rates of PTSD could be even higher for certain types of traumas and the degree to which the person feared for their life or the life of a loved one. Lower rates are found in children though this could be due to the criteria not being fully applicable and in older adults.
Co-Occurring Disorders
People with PTSD are 80% more likely to suffer from another mental illness. Gender differences have also been observed in co-occurring disorders. The high rate of comorbid disorders and gender differences creates a more complex picture and often adds to the suffering of the individual.
Common co-occurring disorders include:
- Depression
- Bipolar disorder
- Anxiety
- Substance abuse (seen more frequently in males than females)
- Conduct disorder (seen more frequently in males than females)
Causes
PTSD results from experiencing a fear-inducing or potentially life-threatening event outside the normal range of human experience. The reasons that some individuals develop PTSD while others don’t is currently unclear but limited support exists for several theories.
Genetic: some evidence suggests that individuals who have family members with anxiety disorders or mood disorders are more likely to develop PTSD. Certain inborn temperamental qualities have been shown to predict the development of PTSD. Some of the traits identified as potentially having an impact include anxiety, neuroticism, introversion, and emotional reactivity, while the tendency to crave a high activity level is shown to be a protective factor against the development of PTSD.
Biological: Certain areas of the brain are changed in some individuals with PTSD. In particular, the hippocampus decreases in mass and the amygdala (the fear center of the brain) becomes over-reactive. Both structures are involved in memory - a key component of PTSD. When the amygdala becomes over-reactive, it can pair extremely frightening memories from the past with neutral events in the present leading to a state of hyperarousal. Research suggests that people with post-traumatic stress disorder have lower levels of cortisol and higher levels of epinephrine and norepinephrine. These three hormones are responsible for the fight or flight response. Ultimately this results in the individual existing in perpetual in fight or flight mode.
Environmental: Life experiences including the amount and severity of previously experienced traumas may affect the propensity to develop PTSD. Some research has suggested that traumatic life events can build up so when someone experiences a major trauma they are more likely to develop PTSD than those without a similar life history. Other research suggests that individuals who’ve experienced minor traumas may be less likely to develop PTSD if exposed to a major trauma. It’s been hypothesized that is caused by an inoculation effect of the minor trauma against stress from a major traumatic event.
Symptoms
The symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder may vary among individuals. The most common symptoms associated with PTSD include:
Mood:
- Intense, prolonged distress triggered by any reminders or things that symbolize an aspect of the trauma sometimes leading into a flashback
- Depression
- Constant negative emotional state
- Anxiety
- Mood swings
- Fear
- Irritability
- Anger outbursts
- Being unable to experience positive emotions
Behavioral:
- Avoidance of anything that is associated with the traumatic event
- Efforts to avoid distressing thoughts feeling or memories or external reminders of the traumatic event
- Feeling detached, separated or estranged from others
- Lack of interest or reluctance to participate in activities formerly viewed as important
- Inability to trust others
- Reckless, impulsive or dangerous behaviors
- Self-destructive or self- injurious behavior
- Hypervigilance
- Over-arousal or exaggerated startle response
- Inability to concentrate
Physical:
- Significant physiological reactions to triggers that cause the individual to remember or re-experience the traumatic event.
- Sweating
- Rapid respiration rate
- Trouble sleeping
- Tremors and shaking
- Nausea and vomiting
Psychological:
- Repeated, involuntary and invasive disturbing memories of the traumatic event
- Repeated, troubling dreams related to the traumatic event
- Inability to remember parts of the traumatic event
- Dissociative Symptoms
- Flashbacks – the person feels as if they are back in the middle of the traumatic event, re-experiencing it
- The development of negative beliefs about oneself, others or the world in general
- Inaccurate or distorted beliefs about the cause of the traumatic event such that the person comes to believe they were responsible for it occurring.
Effects
If left untreated, post-traumatic stress disorder can cause significant impairment in almost all activities of daily living. Effects of PTSD may include:
- Alcohol and substance abuse
- Trouble sleeping due to nocturnal panic attacks or nightmares
- Trouble concentrating due to intrusive thoughts and memories
- Hopelessness over the future
- Feelings of helplessness that anything will improve
- Thoughts or suicide
- Self-inflicted pain to distract from thoughts, memories or emotions
- Compromised immune system and development of subsequent medical problems
- Depression
- Anger about the trauma which may generalize to similar situations or people (e.g. someone with combat related PTSD may become strongly anti-military or anti-government)
- Becoming emotional numb
- Survivor’s guilt if the experience involved a group trauma and some involved didn’t live
- Avoidance of social situations for fear of losing control or having a flashback
- Troubled family relationships
- Marital problems or divorce
- Decreased productivity at school or work
- Unemployment, inability to get a job
- Reclusiveness
- Spousal abuse
- Secondary PTSD in partners, spouses, and family members from repeated exposure to the individual’s symptoms
- Loss of financial security