3 Things To Know About PTSD

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, affects millions of Americans each year. While it's often associated with soldiers, anyone can have symptoms of PTSD. This disorder occurs following experiencing or witnessing a life-threatening or traumatic event. PTSD occurs in people who have been in combat zones, who have been physically or sexually assaulted, who have been through terrorist attacks, and other experiences that have had an impact. Here are three things to know about this disorder:

PTSD Is More Common Than You May Expect

One thing that many may not know about PTSD is that it impacts a surprising amount of people at some point in their lifetimes. It's estimated that 7.8 percent of Americans will develop PTSD during their lifetime. Women are twice as likely to develop this disorder as men. Also around 30 percent of men and women who experience time in a war zone develop PTSD at some point. During the course of a year around 5.2 million people will be actively struggling with PTSD. 

The Symptoms

Another thing to be familiar with when it comes to PTSD is the symptoms. Symptoms can vary from person to person. They often include re-experiencing the traumatic event in the form of flashbacks, emotional numbness, trouble sleeping, increased anxiety, attempts to avoid reminders of the trauma, feelings of guilt, depression, and even physical aches and pains. Symptoms of PTSD in children can include fear of being separated from their parent, new phobias, losing previously learned skills, and more. While the symptoms of PTSD usually develop within a few days or weeks of a traumatic event, they can develop several months or even years later in some cases. 

Treatment

Seeking treatment for this disorder is a must for those affected. There are a variety of mental health services that can help with PTSD. Those who suffer from this disorder are often able to find help by visiting with a psychiatrist and going through therapy sessions. The main treatments for this condition are psychotherapy and medication, and both are usually used in conjunction with each other. In terms of therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy is the most common treatment. For those who use medicine, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI's) are most often used to treat the symptoms of PTSD. Treatment costs between $1,160 and $4,724 per person annually. 

PTSD occurs after going through a traumatic event and can have major impacts on a person's life. It's more common than many people realize, with 7.8 percent of the US population experiencing it at some point in their lives. Symptoms can vary from person to person and can be both mental and physical. The onset of the symptoms can range from a few days to more than a year from the traumatic event or events. Treatment involves both psychotherapy and medication for most patients. 

Contact a company like Psych Dimensions Inc for more information and assistance.