Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (Essay Sample)

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
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Introduction
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder affects the victims mind, body, and people around them, clearly making it more difficult for those with the disorder to become as successful as individuals without it. About 70% of adults, according to National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, in the U.S. have experienced some type of traumatic event at least once in their lives. Over 7 million people suffer from the condition, which has the potential of affecting individual’s productivity in the economy, increasing suicide and leading drug and alcohol dependency (Xenaskis, 2012). Without proper treatment, the patient can jeopardize relationships, develop serious medical issues and lose interest in the activities they once loved.
The effects of Post-Trauma Stress Disorder
Post Trauma Stress Disorder symptoms vary from an individual to another and their magnitude differs widely. Generally, after exposure to trauma or fear, a person with the condition may experience flashbacks of the traumatic events ranging for minutes or even day. Other effects include experiencing bad dreams and frightening thoughts, which affect the self-esteem, social and work life of an individual (Idsoe, Dyregrov and Idsoe, 2012).
People suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder have avoidance symptoms where they start avoiding activities, places or people who remind them of the traumatic event. Further, they avoid activities, which once brought them joy, while at the same time feeling guilty and emotionally numb, depressed or worry (Idsoe, Dyregrov and Idsoe, 2012). The individual may withdraw from friends, family or colleagues, as they have a difficulty maintaining close relationships. This is due to easy irritability and anger, where the individual easily gets violent, or engages in self-destructive behaviors such as drinking or doing drugs, which separate the individual from loved ones. The individual also gets easily frightened and fears a reoccurring of the event, a situation, which may have long-term negative impacts on the individual.
The condition has adverse impacts on an individual and has the potential to disrupt the whole life of an individual. Firstly, an individual with the condition has a higher risk of developing mental health problems. Secondly, the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is also linked to higher risk of suicide and depression, as victims are unable to face the trauma the event brings in their lives (Xenaskis, 2012). In addition, individuals suffering from this condition easily develop dependence on drugs or alcohol, a situation, which further deteriorates their health conditions or destroys their relationships with other people (Idsoe, Dyregrov and Idsoe, 2012). People with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is also linked to higher risk to other medical conditions including chest pains, immune system problems, gastrointestinal problems and heart diseases (Xenaskis, 2012).
Post-Trauma Stress Disorder is life long condition, which has no cure, but can be managed. With proper treatments, an individual may lead a normal life. There are various treatment options available for patients of the condition (Xenaskis, 2012). Firstly, through medication in antidepressants, an individual can effectively deal with depression and sleep disorders. In addition to antidepressants, other medications include antipsychotics, which are prescribed for people with other medical conditions, and Benzodiazepines, which are prescribed for sleep and relaxation (Idsoe, Dyregrov and Idsoe, 2012). Further treatments involve therapies, where individuals are taught of the condition and its effects. Through therapy, individual learn relaxation and anger control skills, better sleep, diet and exercise habits, and helps people to identify and deal with negative feeling including shame and guilt about the event (Idsoe, Dyregrov and Idsoe, 2012). Therapies also help individuals to react positively to Post-Trauma Stress Disorder symptoms, which allow people to handle the condition better. With the right approach, therapies and medication, Post-Trauma Stress Disorder patients can lead normal and fulfilling life.
The condition continues to attract a lot of research, where millions of dollars have been invested in research on this condition, which continues to evade ...