Print this PagePost Traumatic Stress Disorder
What is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder?
Commonly referred to as PTSD, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a condition that some people develop after they experience a very traumatic, sometimes life-threatening, event. In some people PTSD develops immediately after they experience the unusually traumatic event, however, in others, signs of the disorder may not develop for several weeks, months or even years after the event.
What are the symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder?
PTSD develops when a person experiences or witnesses a traumatic event and later experiences some of the following for a prolonged period of time:
- Relives the traumatic event by frequently thinking or dreaming about it
- Is upset or distressed in other areas of his/her life e.g. in school, work or in relationships
- Avoids any situation that may cause him/her to relive the trauma
- Demonstrates a certain amount of generalised emotional numbness
- Shows a heightened sense of being on guard
It is thought that, in the United States, some 10% of the population will suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder at some point in their lives.
Adults tend to need to discuss their symptoms with their GP when they start to adversely affect their daily living. Children may be diagnosed when their behaviour changes or there are unexplained physical problems.
The following websites provide information on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder:
A very useful NZ website with resource data on most mental illnesses including PTSD
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Like Minds Taranaki, 06-759-0966, email: mental.health@xtra.co.nz