Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder has become a rising mental disorder among both male and female veterans. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, also called PTSD for short, is an anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to a traumatic event in which physical or mental harm may have occurred. Events such as wartime situations, violent attacks, serious accidents, and terrorist incidents can all play a part in the increase of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder cases. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder can have many negative effects on the individual’s life, such as personal relationships, potential health problems, and having a successful career.
Trauma survivors with PTSD have trouble with their close family relationships
or friendships. The symptoms of PTSD can cause problems with trust, closeness, communication, and problem solving. These problems affect the way the survivor acts with others. In turn, the way a loved one responds to him or her affects the trauma survivor. A circular pattern can develop that may sometimes harm relationships. Survivors with PTSD may feel distant from others and feel numb. People with PTSD have less interest in social or sexual activities. Because survivors feel irritable, on guard, jumpy, worried, or nervous, they may not be able to relax or be intimate. They may also feel an increased need to protect their loved ones. Survivors often struggle with intense anger and impulses. In order to suppress angry feelings and actions, they may avoid closeness. They may push away or find fault with loved ones and friends. Also, drinking and drug problems can develop, which can be an attempt to cope with PTSD, can destroy intimacy and friendships. Verbal or physical violence can occur. Dealing with these symptoms can take up a lot of the survivor's attention. He or she may not be able to focus on the partner. It may be hard to listen carefully and make decisions together with someone else. Partners may come to feel that talking together and working as a team are no longer possible, in turn ruining their relationships with loved ones.
In addition to personal relationship problems, people with PTSD also seem to be at greater risk for a number of physical health problems, including pain, diabetes, obesity, heart problems, respiratory problems, and sexual dysfunction. It is not clear as to why people with PTSD have more physical health problems. However, many doctors believe it may be due to the fact that the symptoms of PTSD result in the release of stress hormones which may contribute to inflammation and eventual damage to a person's body. This would increase a person's risk for certain physical health problems, including heart disease. People with PTSD also appear to be at high risk for unhealthy behaviors such as, smoking and drinking, which may further increase the possibility of physical health problems.
PTSD can greatly interfere with a person's ability to work and maintain a healthy career. People with PTSD miss more days at work and work less efficiently than people without PTSD. Certain symptoms of PTSD, such as difficulties concentrating and problems sleeping, may make it difficult for a person with PTSD to pay attention at work, stay organized, or make it to work on time. Not surprisingly then, people with PTSD also have higher rates of unemployment than people without PTSD.
While many things may trigger the onset of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in a veteran, it is the lifelong effects it has on them that causes the most damage. It is hard to see how someone with PTSD is able to obtain a full life, when their personal relationships are on edge, their health deteriorates, and they have low chances of succeeding in the work place. I myself have suffered from PTSD. Although mine would be listed more on the mild side, it still had a big effect on my marriage, and career.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder has become a rising mental disorder among both male and female veterans. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, also called PTSD for short, is an anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to a traumatic event in which physical or mental harm may have occurred. Events such as wartime situations, violent attacks, serious accidents, and terrorist incidents can all play a part in the increase of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder cases. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder can have many negative effects on the individual’s life, such as personal relationships, potential health problems, and having a successful career.
Trauma survivors with PTSD have trouble with their close family relationships
or friendships. The symptoms of PTSD can cause problems with trust, closeness, communication, and problem solving. These problems affect the way the survivor acts with others. In turn, the way a loved one responds to him or her affects the trauma survivor. A circular pattern can develop that may sometimes harm relationships. Survivors with PTSD may feel distant from others and feel numb. People with PTSD have less interest in social or sexual activities. Because survivors feel irritable, on guard, jumpy, worried, or nervous, they may not be able to relax or be intimate. They may also feel an increased need to protect their loved ones. Survivors often struggle with intense anger and impulses. In order to suppress angry feelings and actions, they may avoid closeness. They may push away or find fault with loved ones and friends. Also, drinking and drug problems can develop, which can be an attempt to cope with PTSD, can destroy intimacy and friendships. Verbal or physical violence can occur. Dealing with these symptoms can take up a lot of the survivor's attention. He or she may not be able to focus on the partner. It may be hard to listen carefully and make decisions together with someone else. Partners may come to feel that talking together and working as a team are no longer possible, in turn ruining their relationships with loved ones.
In addition to personal relationship problems, people with PTSD also seem to be at greater risk for a number of physical health problems, including pain, diabetes, obesity, heart problems, respiratory problems, and sexual dysfunction. It is not clear as to why people with PTSD have more physical health problems. However, many doctors believe it may be due to the fact that the symptoms of PTSD result in the release of stress hormones which may contribute to inflammation and eventual damage to a person's body. This would increase a person's risk for certain physical health problems, including heart disease. People with PTSD also appear to be at high risk for unhealthy behaviors such as, smoking and drinking, which may further increase the possibility of physical health problems.
PTSD can greatly interfere with a person's ability to work and maintain a healthy career. People with PTSD miss more days at work and work less efficiently than people without PTSD. Certain symptoms of PTSD, such as difficulties concentrating and problems sleeping, may make it difficult for a person with PTSD to pay attention at work, stay organized, or make it to work on time. Not surprisingly then, people with PTSD also have higher rates of unemployment than people without PTSD.
While many things may trigger the onset of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in a veteran, it is the lifelong effects it has on them that causes the most damage. It is hard to see how someone with PTSD is able to obtain a full life, when their personal relationships are on edge, their health deteriorates, and they have low chances of succeeding in the work place. I myself have suffered from PTSD. Although mine would be listed more on the mild side, it still had a big effect on my marriage, and career.