Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Resources & Support  -  More Information

The American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress defines traumatic stress as, “the emotional, cognitive, behavioral, physiological experience of individuals who are exposed to, or who witness, events that overwhelm their coping and problem-solving abilities."

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) was first brought to public attention by war veterans and was called 'shell shock' or 'battle fatigue'.  However, PTSD can result from any traumatic event that is witnessed by a person, occurred in a person's life, or happened to a friend or family member of that person.  Such events include:

• physical abuse

• sexual abuse and molestation

• severe neglect

• ritual abuse

• family violence

• dating violence

• kidnapping or abduction

• serious accidents (e.g., car or train wrecks)

• natural disasters (e.g., floods or earthquakes)

• violent attacks (e.g., assault, rape, torture, bullying, being mugged)

• witnessing acts of violence or destruction (e.g., school violence, September 11th)

• betrayal, infidelity, adultery

• abortion [NOTE: The trauma from abortion is controversial, politically and religiously.)

Who is at risk for developing PTSD?

The one-million children who suffer abuse each year as well as those who have had other previous traumatic experiences are more likely than others to develop PTSD.

Other risk factors for developing PTSD include:

• type of trauma

• severity of the trauma

• duration of the event

• recurrence of the event

• the individual's resiliency and coping skills

• availability of support from family, friends, and community

What are the symptoms?

PTSD can occur at any age, including childhood.  The disorder can be accompanied by depression, substance abuse, anxiety, and/or self-injurious behavior.  Symptoms may be mild or severe -- people may become easily irritated or have violent outbursts.  In general, the symptoms seem to be worse if the traumatic event was initiated by a person (i.e., assault) rather than a natural disaster (i.e., flood).

Research has found rates of PTSD among adolescents ranging from 6.3% (in a community sample of older adolescents) to 29.6% (in substance-dependent adolescents receiving treatment, ages 15 to 19).  And, among the substance-dependent adolescents, 19.2% currently had PTSD.

Not every traumatized person gets PTSD.  Most people will experience some of the symptoms of PTSD in the days and weeks following the trauma, but the symptoms generally decrease over time and eventually disappear.

PTSD is diagnosed only if the any or all of the following symptoms last more than a month:

• Persistent frightening thoughts and memories of event

• Flashbacks (images, sounds, smells, or feelings)

• Avoiding people, places, situations that are associated with event

• Emotional numbness or detachment

• Inability to feel affectionate

• Nightmares

• Sleep problems

• Depression

• Being easily startled

• Loss of interest in things once enjoyed

• Irritability

• Aggressive or violent behavior

• Feelings of guilt

• Difficulty concentrating

• Constant worrying, especially about death

• Regressive behavior (i.e., acting younger than their age)

• Physical problems (e.g., headaches, stomach aches)

How can the traumatized person be helped?

Being emotionally detached after a trauma is not a healthy response.   This emotional distancing stuffs the feelings inside, shuts out those who can give help and support, and puts the individual at greater risk for developing PTSD.

Family and friends can give support and comfort by listening to victims talk about their experiences and feelings very soon after the event.  The National Association of School Psychologists suggests that children process their emotions and reactions to a trauma within 24 hours to 36 hours following a crisis in order to prevent PTSD.

Occasionally, PTSD doesn't show up until months or even years after the traumatic event.  Recovery is influenced by early detection, intervention, and mental health treatment (including cognitive-behavioral therapy and group therapy).  Parents play a vital role in getting this help and support for their child.

Information provided by the Office on Women's Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute of Mental Health, and the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

Resources and Support

Association of Traumatic Stress Specialists ~ Professional international organization providing support, education, intervention and treatment in the field of traumatic stress.

Child Trauma Institute ~ Provides training, consultation, information, and resources for those who work with trauma-exposed children, adolescents, and adults.

Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma ~ Global network of journalists, journalism educators and health professionals dedicated to improving media coverage of trauma, conflict and tragedy.  The Center also addresses the consequences of such coverage for those working in journalism.

DividedHeart.com ~ Online Christian support community.

Gift From Within ~ International organization for survivors of trauma and victimization.

International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies ~ Professional organization that also offers public information on trauma-related issues.

National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder ~ A program of the US Department of Veterans Affairs created in 1989 in response to a Congressional mandate to address the needs of veterans with military-related PTSD.

Post-Abortion Stress Syndrome Support ~ Neutral, non-judgmental, non-religion based, non-political online support, information, help and healing for women who've had an abortion.

Sidran Institute ~ ~ Education, training, and advocacy on traumatic stress and related issues.

More Information

The 12-Step Tsunami Trauma Survival Guide ~ The key to the restoration of positive mental health is to cultivate a unique, personalized blend of strengths and vulnerabilities, which balance despair with hope, doubt with faith, death with rebirth, and loss with gain.

David Baldwin's Trauma Information Pages ~ Information for clinicians and researchers in the traumatic-stress field.

Expert Consensus Guidelines for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder:  A Guide for Patients and Families (pdf) ~ This guide is designed to answer the most commonly asked questions about PTSD, including symptoms, types of treatment, prevention, and recovery help.

Healing from Shame Associated with Traumatic Events ~ Shame is a debilitating emotion that piggybacks on top of trauma.  Shame complicates the healing and recovery process from trauma on many levels including psychologically (victims blame themselves for being vulnerable) and spiritually (changes relationship with higher power).

Obtaining Social Security Benefits for PTSD ~ Policies, procedures, and qualifications.

Supporting a Person Who is Experiencing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (pdf) ~ Many people who experience PTSD hold a story that few understand.  Their story may be buried beneath layers of pain and humiliation.  The person's real history may be hidden beneath layers of evaluations and incomplete social histories.  It is important that the true story be recovered.

Trauma Treatment Manual ~ Originally written for people working in the field with women survivors of rape in Bosnia, but it can be used more broadly as a guide for helping anyone of either gender who has survived any kind of trauma.

What is Betrayal Trauma? ~ Betrayal is often at the root of PTSD.  The trauma is perpetuated by someone the person should have been able to trust; in short, the person has been betrayed.