What is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder?
In a normal human body, the fight or flight response activates to fear in order to protect the body from any possibly injury. However, for a person with PTSD, this response is damaged or changed thus the person may feel a heightened sense of stress or fear even when no stimulus present. PTSD develops after a traumatic experience that may have caused physical harm or life-threatening situation. Approximately "7.7 million American adults"(source 5) varying from any age has PTSD. PTSD can develop at any
age; however research shows that the median age of onset is 23 years.
Picture 2
Picture 2
CausesPicture 3
One of the many causes of PTSD is genes. Genes play a huge role in the formation of fear memories; such genes include Stathmin, GRP, and 5-HTTLPR. Another cause is brain areas such as the amygdala, the prefrontal cortex, and the hippocampus. |
EffectsPicture 4
There can be significant physical changes associated with PTSD. Such as having a "smaller hippocampus in comparison to a person who has not experienced the trauma. People with PTSD seem to be at risk for higher use of cigarettes, alcohol, and marijuana." (source 4) If left untreated, PTSD can lead to devastating effects for not only the sufferer, but also loved one's life. |
DiagnosisPicture 5
Many people go through traumatic events in their lives; however, do not go on to develop full blown PTSD. In order to diagnose a person with PTSD, the person must have all of the following for at least 1 month: "at least one re-experiencing symptom, at least three avoidance symptoms, and at least two hyper arousal symptoms." (source 5) One should visit their doctor who has experience diagnosing mental illnesses, if these symptoms appear. |