Causes Of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Approximately eight percent of people in the United States suffer from Post-traumatic disorder in any given time of their life. That Is equivalent to the population of Texas. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that is caused by a very stressful, frightening, and distressing event. For the past few decades PTSD has been linked with soldiers returning from war, but in recent years PTSD has been diagnosed in people who have experienced other types of high stress situations. Research has now broadened the definition and causes of this anxiety disorder.
In 1980 PTSD was added to the third edition of the Manual of Mental Disorders by the American Psychiatric Association. The anxiety disorder at that time was only

thought to be related to witnessing impacting traumatic events such as; torture, war, rape, human, and natural disasters. It was first known to be called, “Combat Fatigue” or “Shell Shock.” When soldiers first returned from warfare they received little to no care or acknowledgement about their mental state. They were physically taken care of, but not mentally observed. It was thought that after being home for a while soldiers would integrate back into their normal life. It wasn’t until WWII that some attention was brought to the subject. Soldiers were not returning to their normal mental state. They were experiencing depression, anxiety, nightmares, and sudden shocks of anger or aggression. The worst part was that it became overwhelming for some of them that it led them to commit suicide. That is when the first attempts to deal with the disorder came about.
The first attempt was placing returning soldiers in isolated rooms known as “safe areas”, before they could go home.

They would spends days in these room to be able to transition back into the normal world. Psychiatrists would observe them and administer them with sodium pentothal and other barbiturates to induce repressed memories. Soldier were also often given liquor to deal with their emotions. Every person was affected and reacted differently when coming back from war. It was necessary to conduct more studies in order to be able to understand things better. What psychiatrists did know was that this was just the beginning of extensive research and new discoveries. They came to discover that people with PTSD also have a wide variety of physical symptoms. A common thing in people who have depression and other anxiety disorders. Some studies revealed that PTSD may be linked with increased chances of developing medical disorders. Research was and is still ongoing, too soon to draw clear conclusions about which disorders are related with

PTSD.
In the past few years this anxiety disorder has spread among all type of people not respecting their gender, ethnicity or religion. The consequences of suffering from it have been tragic in many people, affecting their everyday life to the point where they cannot function as regular human beings. It is very common for other conditions to occur along with PTSD, such as substance abuse. More than half of men with PTSD also have problems with alcohol. The next most common co-occurring problems in men are depression, followed by conduct disorder, and then problems with drugs. In women, the most common co-occurring problem is depression. Just under half of women with PTSD also experience depression. The next most common problem in women are specific fears, social anxiety, and then problems with alcohol. People with PTSD often have problems functioning. In general, people with PTSD have more unemployment, divorce or separation, spouse abuse and chance of being fired than people without PTSD. Vietnam veterans with PTSD were found to have many problems with family and other interpersonal relationships, problems with employment, and increased incidents of violence.
After years and years of research, testing, and new studies there have been made great advances in the treatment of PTSD but there is yet to find a cure for it completely. With the help of psychologists, psychiatrists, and other specialty doctors they have found a way to diminish the effect of traumatic events in those affected. One of the most popular and successful methods is cognitive behavior therapy. The goal of this type of therapy is to try and manipulate the brain into believing that what it once found scary and dangerous no longer is. There are six faces to this therapy and has been proven to help with PTSD. One helpful treatment among many others that have been created to suppress PTSD.
Although many can argue that there is still a long way to go in order to find a cure for PTSD, there have been successful cases in which all the hard work and research has paid off.

David Lynch, a United States Army man, who was present during the 9/11 terrorists attacks is someone who can confidently say he overcame PTSD after witnessing such horrible event. After returning home and suffering from various symptoms David was diagnose with PTSD, he was given medication in order to keep him sane. The medication was not enough though, David had to refer to other types of treatment for help. For him the cure was meditation. Through this technique he was able to overcome his fear and anxiety giving him the opportunity to return back to his normal life. Now David and others have created a foundation to help people like him be themselves

again.
At the beginning of this year a future advancement for PTSD was announced to the public. New research in mice found a way to alter memories. Scientist discovered that by using Xenon gas, an already used anesthetic, it can help reduce the reactions of fear. Others labs and specialists are exploring the chances of being able to eradicate a memory completely. One of their primary goals is to reduce the medication when trying to control the disorder. For years now different types of drugs have been developed in order to try and contain the symptoms and effects of PTSD. Even with this anxiety disorder spreading quicker among more and more people, there are twice as many of them fighting to find a cure.