Synthesis Of PTSD

Many things in life will affect the human psyche positively and negativity, but nothing can prepare someone to bear witness to or take part in a horrific life changing event. Countless times these occasions can be as unassuming as being in a bad car accident or as terrible as participating in war and losing or taking life. These events or causes can have a profound influence on people, and if bad enough is the precursor to developing PTSD. According Blacks Medical Dictionary this condition is defined as “one of several psychiatric disorders that can develop in people exposed to severe trauma, such as a major physical injury, participation in warfare, assault or rape, or any event in which there is major loss of life or a threat of loss of

life”. Causes of PTSD have dreadful effects on sleep cycles, memory recollections, temperament and eventually could lead to substance abuse.

Children's nightmares are more about ghost, goblins, and fictional things. When you have PTSD the nightmares are a vivid reliving of the horrific events that took place in one’s life. These dreams are so real to the person it feels like they are actually there over and over again. Every time they close their eyes and go to sleep their brain will manifest the same situation or time frame that the event happened in. These nightmares could be classified as night terrors, but they do not always have to happen during the dark hours.

During the day PTSD can manifest as relentless flash backs of the traumatic event.

The triggers that cause the flash back could be anything from certain sounds, smells, or visual references that prompt the traumatic memory to ocour. With a war veteran the sound of a car backfiring or the smell of gunpowder can send them back to fighting for their life, even though their already safely home from the war. Likewise a car accident victim could freeze in their tracks at the sound of screeching tires. This feeling or action by their brain is automatic and cannot be overridden by rational thinking. All these feelings can be overwhelming when they cannot be controlled and could lead to other symptoms like aggression or

irritability.

Aggression and irritability in war veterans is very real and dangerous when exhibiting signs of PTSD. According to the Military Medicine Journal “one-third of Vietnam veterans with PTSD engaged in partner violence in the previous year, at a rate 2 to 3 times higher than those without PTSD” (Angkaw). The aggression can take many forms; Physical violence directed at someone or directed at them self, verbally abusing someone, or actually enacting physical violence to someone. Between the sleepless nights, uncontrollable memory's, anger and guilt that come with treating people and them self badly comes a way to suppress all those feelings.

Substance abuse is just one more thing that can manifest from having PTSD.

When someone has a condition such as PTSD they will be looking for ways to suppress or weaken the mental state from the horrific event. Many in this situation will turn to substance abuse to control or numb their anxiety and fears. PTSD for dummies stated “Between 60 and 80 percent of Vietnam vets seeking treatment for PTSD also have alcohol problems” (Kadem pg55). This thought control or numbing ritual also has a negative effect on the person life. Their problem is compounded; they now have PTSD and a forever viscous cycle of substance abuse to control their PTSD. When the substance abuse no longer numbs or controls the feelings some people will find no other relief except a life ending

event.

The causes of PTSD could be any horrific event in one’s life that has caused immense emotional or physical scarring. With the physical and emotional scarring come many side effects that alter their perception of a normal life. Between the sleepless nights and the vividly horrific day time flash backs it causes them to have an outlet of anger and aggression to relieve the pain. With all the multiple symptoms of PTSD combined, the only relief for some people is to numb themselves to the world through habitual substance abuse or a life ending event. In conclusion PTSD can be a vicious cycle of pain and regret if not treated at the first signs and symptoms of onset.