Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Description

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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder can turn into a very chronic condition that can immensely affect the daily life of an individual. As the name implies, there is a great amount of stress and fear related symptoms that follow a traumatic event. These events can range from something as extreme as being in combat or to something that can happen at any given moment, such as a car accident or assault. In general, we associate this disorder with veterans, as most develop signs of the disorder soon after coming back home, but in reality, PTSD can happen to anyone at any point in their lives. The fifth edition of the American Psychological Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Illnesses lists eight criteria that an individual must meet in order to receive proper diagnosis of the disorder. These criteria are dependent whether one is older or younger than six years old, but are both very similar. Specifically in children, there will be more observable behavior during play and demonstrate more attachment towards the parent or guardian, but otherwise, the symptoms are similar to adults. The first criterion states that the patient must have been involved in the traumatic event, whether they were directly involved, witnessed, or heard about the event that involved someone close to them. Vivid flashbacks and nightmares are also an indicator of the disorder. These are not just any flashbacks and nightmares; they relate to the event and cause a great amount of physiological arousal. When it comes to their sleeping habits, there are constant sleep disturbances that can prevent the individual to fall asleep. There must also be avoidance of anything that reminds the patient of the traumatizing event. The patient will do anythin... ... middle of paper ... .... Retrieved from http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/index.shtml National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices. (2014). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing. Retrieved from http://nrepp.samhsa.gov/ViewIntervention.aspx?id=199 Rizzo, A. (2005). Virtual reality exposure therapy. University of Southern California Institute of Creative Technologies. Retrieved from http://ict.usc.edu/prototypes/pts/ Trickey, D., et al.(2012). A meta-analysis of risk factors for post-traumatic stress disorder in children. Clinical Psychology Review, 32, 122-138. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2014). Post-traumatic stress disorder: National center for PTSD. Retrieved from http://www.ptsd.va.gov/PTSD/index.asp Carrion, V. (2001). Attenuation of frontal asymmetry in pediatrics. Society of Biological Psychiatry, 50, 943–951.

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