Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) has received a lot of attention since the various military operations started including Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), Operation New Dawn (OND) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). The rates of post-traumatic stress disorder has increased significantly among members of the military that are returning from service. The condition has now been marked…
DetailsThe 2013 5th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) includes some changes to the diagnosis of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The changes are noted on the website for the DSM-5 and they are also currently conducting trials in the field in order to determine what implications of such changes will…
DetailsA new app has been released in Australia called PTSD Coach Australia. This app has been designed in order to help people that suffer from Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) manage their symptoms. The app was originally developed in the United States by the National Center for PTSD and National Center for Telehealth and Technology. The…
DetailsVictims of crime will often experience nightmares following trauma, such as a physical or sexual assault, and which can be very debilitating and bring back disturbing memories of the assault. Nightmares can occur any time following a traumatic event and can be difficult to understand. Nightmares can result in feelings of loneliness, distress, sadness, anger,…
DetailsYou are more likely to develop PTSD if you have been directly exposed to the trauma, seriously hurt, the trauma was long-lasting or very severe, believed you were in extreme danger or were going to die, had a severe reaction such shaking, vomiting or feeling separated from your surroundings and felt helpless. Other factors contributing to the…
DetailsProblems such as lack of desire and reduced satisfaction as well as risky sexual behaviors are experienced by some individuals with PTSD. A new study that examined both sexual concerns and dysfunctional sexual behaviors suggests that meaningful improvement in symptoms of PTSD are necessary in order to reduce sexual problems in women post trauma.
Two well researched and common forms of trauma treatment are Prolonged Exposure(PE) & Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT). PE starts with education about common trauma reactions. Breathing retraining is then taught, which is a skill that helps the client relax and manage immediate distress. Exposure practice with real-world anxiety producing situations is then discussed and specific…
DetailsA recent study of multigenerational family members initially exposed to trauma has suggested that the genetic makeup of some individuals makes them more vulnerable to PTSD, depression and anxiety. This study suggested that around 40% of variation shown in PTSD sufferers was acountable in terms of gentic factors and the balance attributable to nongenetic factors.…
DetailsIt is estimated that up to 100,000 people were involved in the aftermath of the World Trade Centre terrorist attacks. Of these it was estimated that 11% met criteria for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, 9% for Depression, 5% for Panic Disorder and 62% for substantial stress reaction. Functional impairment in occupational, social and family life as…
DetailsPTSD is an extreme anxiety response following a traumatic event such as sexual or physical assault. Syptoms of PTSD include recurrent thoughts of the traumatic event, flashbacks, nightmares, avoiding reminders of the incident, emotional numbing as well being easily startled and highly vigilant. PTSD can be a very disabling condition and can affect relationships, work and…
DetailsPosttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) commonly co-occurs with other psychiatric disorders. Data from epidemiologic surveys indicate that the vast majority of individuals with PTSD meet criteria for at least one other psychiatric disorder, and a substantial percentage have 3 or more other psychiatric diagnoses. A number of different hypothetical constructs have been posited to explain this high comorbidity; for example, the self-medication hypothesis has often been applied to understand the relationship between PTSD and substance use disorders.
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