Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Part 1: Nature and Symptoms

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Nature of PTSD

A traumatic experience that involved the threat of physical harm or physical harm itself, as well as, witnessing a harmful event that happened to loved ones or strangers can lead to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

PTSD was first met in connection with war veterans. Nevertheless, it can be developed from a variety of traumatic events, such as street mugging, sexual assault, tortures, held captive or being kidnapped, child physical abuse, plane crashes, car or traffic accidents, and also natural disasters such as floods or earthquakes.

The symptoms of PTSD

People with PTSD undergo at least some of symptoms. They feel fearful and startle easily, they become emotionally numb in relation to close people. It is very common to have no interest in things they used to enjoy, have troubles displaying tender feelings, be easily annoyed, and become violent or aggressive. People unconsciously try to prevent remembering anything related to the traumatic event. The signs of PTSD can be worse when people experienced the traumatic event, such as a kidnapping or mugging, intentionally initiated by another person.

Not every person with a traumatic experience gets complete or even minor PTSD. Signs of PTSD begin within three months of the traumatic events, but sometimes emerge years afterward. PTSD can be diagnosed in case symptoms last more than a month. The course of the disease depends on a person. Some people can recover in six months, whereas others have symptoms that can last much longer. There is fact that some people's condition becomes chronic.