Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that may develop after a person experiences or witnesses one or more terrifying or traumatic events. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, and uncontrollable thoughts about the event.
How PTSD Develops
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) first became known in the public in relation to war veterans, but it can also result from a variety of traumatic incidents, such as mugging, rape, torture, assault, being kidnapped or held captive, child abuse, accidents, sudden death of a loved one, natural disasters, or witnessing a death or injury.
It’s natural for a person to feel afraid when experiencing danger. Fear triggers several split-second changes in the body to prepare to avoid or defend against danger, known as a “fight-or-flight” response. This response is a healthy reaction meant to protect a person from harm. However, with PTSD, this reaction is changed or damaged, causing people with PTSD to feel stressed or frightened even when they’re no longer in danger.
Symptoms of PTSD
PTSD symptoms typically start soon after the traumatic event, but they may not appear until months or even years later. Symptoms may also come and go over many years. If the symptoms last longer than 4 weeks, cause you great distress, or interfere with your work or home life, you may have PTSD. The most common symptoms of PTSD include:
- Difficulty concentrating
- Lack of interest/apathy
- Feelings of detachment
- Flashbacks (acting or feeling like the event is happening again)
- Intense physical reactions to reminders of the event (such as rapid breathing, pounding heart, nausea, muscle tension, sweating)
- Nightmares (either of the event or of other frightening things)
- Loss of appetite
- Negative changes in thinking and mood
- Anger and irritability
- Hypervigilance (on constant “red alert”)
- Exaggerated startle response
- Severe anxiety
- Sleep disturbances (lack of sleep, oversleeping)
- Physical aches and pains
- Suicidal thoughts and feelings
- Guilt, shame, or self-blame
- Depression and hopelessness
- Feelings of mistrust and betrayal
- Substance abuse
Risk of Suicidal Thoughts
If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, get help right away. Anybody who expresses suicidal thoughts or intentions should be taken very, very seriously. Do not hesitate to call your local suicide hotline immediately. Call 800-SUICIDE (800-784-2433) or 800-273-TALK (800-273-8255) — or the deaf hotline at 1-800-4889. Or contact a mental health professional immediately. If you intend to commit suicide, call 911 or go to the emergency room for immediate evaluation and treatment.
How Common is PTSD?
According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, about 7-8% of the population will have PTSD at some point in their lives. During a given year, about 5.2 million adults have PTSD. This is only a small portion of those who have gone through a traumatic experience. Experiencing trauma is not rare. In fact, about 60% of men and 50% of women experience at least one trauma during their lives. Many people who go through a traumatic event have difficulty coping for a while, but they don’t have PTSD, and with time and good self-care, they usually get better. But if symptoms get worse, last for months, or even years, and interfere with your ability function, you may have PTSD.
PTSD and Veterans
San Diego County is home to one of the nation’s largest populations of veterans returning from wartime duty. When you are in the military, you may have been on combat missions that exposed you to terrible and life-threatening experiences. You may have been shot at, seen a friend get shot, witnessed death, or experienced the fear of being attacked. These types of events can lead to PTSD. According to VA, experts estimate that up to 20% of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans, up to 12% of Gulf War veterans, and up to 30% of Vietnam War veterans have experienced PTSD. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has many programs for veterans and their families who are worried about PTSD or related problems. If you are a veteran, contact your local VA about these resources.
Getting Help for PTSD
If you or a loved one are experiencing any symptoms of PTSD for more than a month after a traumatic event, it’s important to seek help right away. The sooner PTSD is confronted, the easier it is to overcome. If you’re reluctant to seek help, keep in mind that PTSD is not a sign of weakness, and the only way to overcome it is to confront what happened to you and learn to accept it as a part of your past. This process is much easier with the guidance and support of an experienced therapist or doctor. If you worry that you cannot afford care, many towns and cities have resources that may be able to help you. Call your local social services department or welfare office to find out.
Synergy Clinical Research has been dedicated to providing health services in San Diego for over 18 years. Our three locations in San Diego County offer clinical research trials on PTSD for active and former military and law enforcement. Qualified participants may receive a stipend at each scheduled visit and transportation may be available on select studies. If you are interested in learning more about our current clinical research trials, contact us today.