Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disorder that develops following exposure to a life threatening event (rape, physical assault, combat exposure), threat to one's personal integrity, or witnessing an event that involved death or injury to another person. It is estimated that 7.8 percent of Americans will experience PTSD at some point in their lives, with women twice as likely as men to have PTSD. About 5.2 million American adults' ages 18 to 54 have PTSD during the course of a given year. The traumatic events that are most often associated with PTSD are rape, combat exposure, childhood neglect, childhood physical/sexual abuse, physical attack, and being threatened with a weapon.

• Re-experiencing the traumatic event through intrusive memories, flashbacks, and/or nightmares of the event.
• Difficulty falling and/or staying asleep
• Irrational feelings/thoughts of being in danger when there is no apparent danger
• An increase of anxiety or fear
• Difficulty concentrating or thinking clearly
• Avoiding people, places, and/or conversations that might remind the person of the traumatic event
• Losing interest in things he/she once enjoyed
• Experiencing emotionally "numb"
• Increase in feelings of despair and hopelessness
• Irritability or outbursts of anger
• Exaggerated startle response
• Hypervigilance (a constant state of being alert)

PTSD is associated with increased likelihood of co-occurring psychiatric disorders. The following is a list of psychiatric disorders that is most prevalent for people who have PTSD: Alcohol/Drug Abuse and Dependency, Major Depressive Disorder, Conduct Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Social Phobia, and Personality Disorders.

There is no definitive treatment, and no cure, but there are some treatments that are quit promising. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy is one method of treatment. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy involves reinterpreting negative cognitions that elicit highly charged emotions. One form of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy is Exposure Therapy which uses careful, repeated, detailed imagining of the trauma (exposure) in a safe, controlled context, to help the survivor face and gain control of the fear and distress that was overwhelming in the trauma through the use of relaxation techniques.

A relatively new treatment that has shown success at treating PTSD is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). This mode of treatment involves elements of exposure therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy; combined with eye movements, hand taps, or sounds that creates a bilateral stimulation of the brain.

Medication has been effective in reducing the symptoms of PTSD. Most of the medications that are prescribed to help reduce the symptoms of PTSD are antidepressants and anti-anxiety medication. Be aware that each individual who suffers from PTSD may exhibit different symptoms, which then would determine the appropriate medication.

If someone in your family is experiencing some of the symptoms above, talk with them and encourage them to get help by having a psychiatric evaluation done by a licensed psychiatrist or psychologist. The family member may have difficulty talking about the tragedy because it is too painful, therefore be patient and understanding if he/she does not want to talk about this issue. Educate yourself about PTSD to gain an understanding of your family member's behavior. Begin to observe what triggers off flashbacks and startled reactions and attempt to minimize the triggers in the home that you have control of. Remember, being supportive and understanding can make all the difference.

For more information refer to the follow resources:

www.ncptsd.org

www.nimh.nih.gov

Coping With Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Dealing with tragedy. By Carolyn Simpson and Dwain Simpson. New York: Rosen Publishing Group, 2002

How to Live with PTSD: The Causes and Characteristics of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. By Beverly J. Peterson and Richard W. Peterson. Cardiff by the Sea, California: Consultors Incorporated, 2000.

PTSD in Children and Adolescents. By Spencer Eth. Washington: American Psychiatric Press, 2001

Why Is Daddy Like He Is?: A Book for Kids About PTSD. By Patience Mason. High Springs, Florida: Patience Press, 1992

Why Is Mommy Like She Is?: A Book For Kids About PTSD. By Patience Mason. High Springs, Florida: Patience Press, 1997