How does PTSD develop? |
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PTSD develops in response to a traumatic event. About 60% of men and 50% of women experience a traumatic event in their lifetime. Most people who are exposed to a traumatic event will have some of the symptoms of PTSD in the subsequent days and weeks after the event. There are biological, psychological and social factors that affect the development of PTSD. What are the symptoms of PTSD? Although PTSD symptoms can begin right after a traumatic event, PTSD is not diagnosed unless the symptoms last for at least a month, and it is causing significant distress or interfering with work or home life. In order to be diagnosed with PTSD, a person must have three different types of symptoms: re-experiencing symptoms, avoidance and numbing symptoms, and arousal symptoms. Re-experiencing Symptoms Re-experiencing symptoms are symptoms that involve reliving the trauma. People may have upsetting memories of the traumatic event. These memories can reoccur unexpectedly. At other times the memories may be triggered by a traumatic reminder such as when a rape victim sees a news report of a recent sexual assault. These memories can cause both emotional and physical reactions. Sometimes these memories can feel so real it is as if the event is actually happening again. This is called a "flashback." Reliving the event may cause intense feelings of fear, helplessness, and horror similar to the feelings they had when the event took place. Avoidance and Numbing Symptoms Avoidance symptoms are efforts people make to avoid the traumatic event. Individuals with PTSD may try to avoid situations that trigger memories of the traumatic event. They may avoid going near places where the trauma occurred or seeing TV programs or news reports about similar events. They may avoid other sights, sounds, smells, or people that are reminders of the traumatic event. Numbing symptoms are another way to avoid the traumatic event. Individuals with PTSD may find it difficult to be in touch with their feelings or express emotions toward other people. For example, they may feel emotionally "numb" and isolate from others. They may be less interested in activities they enjoyed before. Some people forget, or are unable to talk about, important parts of the event. Arousal Symptoms People with PTSD may feel constantly alert after the traumatic event. This is known as increased emotional arousal, and it can cause difficulty sleeping, outbursts of anger or irritability, and difficulty concentrating. They may find that they are constantly ‘on guard’ and on the lookout for signs of danger. What other problems do people with PTSD experience? It is very common for other conditions to occur along with PTSD, such as depression, anxiety, or substance abuse. More than half of men with PTSD also have problems with alcohol. The next most common co-occurring problems in men are depression, followed by conduct disorder, and then problems with drugs. In women, the most common co-occurring problem is depression. Just under half of women with PTSD also experience depression. The next most common co-occurring problems in women are specific fears, social anxiety, and then problems with alcohol. |
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