Symptoms Of Ptsd example essay topic

To explain further, the first criteria is that the person was at one time exposed to a traumatic event involving actual or threatened death or injury, where the response was marked by intense fear, horror or helplessness (Pfefferbaum, The Journal of the Oklahoma State Medical Association, 92 (4), April, 1999). Firefighters, police officers, and rescue missions were subjected to situations of severe stress during and after the attacks. Many emergency response workers (police, nurses, and medics) may become overwhelmed by the trauma they see so many people go through and end up with intrusive recollections themselves, especially after event of such a big scale. PTSD can occur at any age, including childhood. The disorder can be accompanied by depression, substance abuse, or anxiety (web). Symptoms may be mild or severe people may become easily irritated or have violent outbursts.

In severe cases they may have trouble working or socializing. Not every traumatized person gets full-blown PTSD, or experiences PTSD at all. PTSD is diagnosed only if the symptoms last more than a month. In those who do have PTSD, symptoms usually begin within 3 months of the trauma, and the course of the illness varies. Some people recover within 6 months, others have symptoms that last much longer. In some cases, the condition may be chronic.

Occasionally, the illness doesn't show up until years after the traumatic event (web). The people suffering from PTSD usually try to avoid reminders of tragic events. However, such a behavior of avoidance does not relieve an individual out of repeatedly experiencing flashback episodes of the event that caused the disorder. The form of re-experiencing the event can be nightmares, frightening thoughts, and painful memories. Emotional numbness and sleep disorders can be also symptoms of PTSD.

Constant depression and irritability are other negative effects. PTSD can be diagnosed only if previously mentioned symptoms last more than one month. Statistics shows that each year approximately four percent of population experience PTSD, however, in my opinion the percent was much bigger in 2001 after the events that stressed whole country. PTSD can develop at any age. Symptoms of PTSD usually begin during the three month period after the traumatic event.

After the PTSD develops, it is not possible to say what will be the duration of the illness. In the majority of cases people recover within 6 month, while the people that had very vivid experience (firefighters and rescue workers in New York City) may suffer much longer. Mainly it depends on the person and on the experience. It is possible to treat PTSD with the help of cognitive behavioral therapy, group psychotherapy, and medications such as antidepressants. Also, different types of exposure therapy may be used to treat patients suffering from PTSD.

Exposure treatment for PTSD involves repeated reliving of the trauma, under controlled conditions, with the aim of facilitating the processing of the trauma. Despite many negative effects of September 11, terrorist attacks there are some positive too. First, our country started to pay close attention towards the security, which certainly is good. People should be free to go where they wan and when they wan and they need to be sure that nothing can happen to them. In my opinion, the most important positive effect caused by violent terrorist attacks is the unification of the country.

People in their trouble started to pay more attention to the problems of others. The interesting fact is that our country after the tragic events became actually more united and the patriotism level is as high as never before. Sources: web E. Pfefferbaum, B., Moore, V.L., McDonald, N.B., Maynard, B.T., Gur witch, R.H., Nixon, S.J. (1999). The role of exposure in post traumatic stress in youths following the 1995 bombing. The Journal of the Oklahoma State Medical Association, 92 (4), April.