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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a personality disorder that is caused by an event that is extremely upsetting and stressful to an individual. War veterans often experience this, as do victims of rape or other sexual assault. Anyone who is in any type of crash or accident (especially where others die and the individual is left alive) is susceptible to this illness. It involves the inability to cope with one’s feelings over a traumatic event.
This is not a serious mental illness. In reality, it’s not a mental illness at all, but a bizarre (though still somewhat normal) reaction to something that’s stressful to a particular person. Though it’s categorized as a mental illness, one should not be mislead into thinking that it truly is such. These people are not disturbed in their thinking and are responsible for their mental functioning, as well as their actions.
It’s characterized by reliving the event over and over again. Some people turn to alcohol or working long hours to escape having to think about the event. This merely delays the onset of the symptoms. This is obviously closely related to workaholism, although it is not the only cause of such. Often, these people are looking for an escape, and in working they find one.
Individuals will suffer from nightmares and flashbacks, during which they lose touch with reality as they relive the event. Often they will try anything to avoid doing things that remind them of what happened. They may be very angry and irritable with family members, and others may not understand just what’s going on. Emotionally numb, detached, and easily startled behavior is common.
Some people have trouble concentrating, depression, and sleep difficulties. Such symptoms usually show up relatively shortly after the trauma (though as mentioned above, it is possible to delay the onset by escaping into work or alcohol). Some may not show up for years even with no numbing factors (as mentioned above) involved.
Scientists are not exactly sure what causes this disorder. Some people experience trauma and are able to work through on their own, while others become quite stricken by it. It is thought that these individuals are unable to handle the event and their reactions to it. Some people naturally find it easier to express themselves than others. Sometimes, in a case like this, emotion MUST be expressed. It seems as if it finds a way, even if the individual is unwilling to help.
Often it is believed by the person (and sometimes others) that the individual is “going crazy.” Indeed, the symptoms (and the terror over the event itself) are enough to feel like insanity. This is, of course, not true. It is simply a reaction to extreme stress. Treatment is necessary for this, because the individual needs to work through his or her emotions of what happened. Treatment of this is with psychotherapy, and, in some cases, mood-altering drugs. Group therapy usually helps quite a bit and is often used. The sense of camaraderie and that one is not alone can help. Also, the fact that others may have been through similar events from which they are also suffering is comforting.
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