Post traumatic stress disorder
"Traumatic stress refers to the emotional, cognitive, behavioural
and physiological experiences of individuals who are exposed to, or who
witness, events that overwhelm their coping and problem solving abilities. (Lemer & Shelton, 2001)
Natural disasters are considered traumatic events that have
the high potential to lead to post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
As with any traumatic event, natural disasters can bring
about high levels of stress, anxiety, sadness, and anger.
Unlike other traumatic events, natural disasters can also
result in the tremendous destruction of property and financial loss, further
affecting stress levels and disrupting coping efforts.
·
Characteristics
of the trauma
·
Family
history
·
Severity
or intensity
·
psychiatric
illness
·
Duration
·
Post-event
factors
·
Predictability
·
Availability
and quality of social support
·
Proximity
to trauma
·
Characteristics
of the person
·
Time
to rebuild community/return to normal
·
Prior
trauma exposure
Risk Factors for PTSD
·
Demographic
Factors
·
Gender
-Females at increased risk
·
SES
·
Cognitive
Ability - less effective coping skills, less appreciation of social issues
·
Previous
Trauma
·
History
of childhood physical or sexual abuse
·
Exposure
to previous trauma or disaster
Treatment
·
Individual
Therapy
·
Group
Support (especially for Chronic PTSD)
·
Medication
·
A
good social support system may also help protect against PTSD.
·
"Desensitization"
- helps reduce symptoms by encouraging to remember the traumatic event and
express feelings about it.
·
Over
time, memories of the event should become less frightening.
·
Support
groups, where people who have had similar experiences share their feelings, may
also be helpful.
People with PTSD may also have problems with:
·
Alcohol
or other substance abuse
·
Depression
·
Related
medical conditions
COMMENTS