Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder essays

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder essays Stress is an every-day aspect of our life. From day-to-day stressors such as raising children, dealing with careers, dealing with our significant others, driving in traffic, we are continually bombarded with actions and consequences that place stress in our lives. Many of us have come to accept these stressors as normal, and most of us have adapted, even though we may feel a need to take it one day at a time. Yet, in extreme cases, such as wars or other traumatic experiences, dealing with these stressors becomes a life-long ordeal. Persons dealing with severe stress reactions from traumatic experiences, such as wars, long after the incident occurred, have what is called Post-traumatic stress disorder. This anxiety disorder, affecting not only current and past war veterans but also those that have been exposed to any traumatic life event, has been studied in depth and forms of treatment, from group therapy to drug therapy, have been used to treat the maladies associated with this disorder. Post-traumatic stress disorder is defined as the condition caused by extremely stressful experiences in which the person later experiences anxiety and irritability(Lahey). In addition, the website belonging to the National Center for PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) further defined PTSD as a psychiatric disorder that can occur following the experience or witnessing of life-threatening events such as military combat, natural disasters, terror incidents, serious accidents or violent person assaults like rape. The website goes on to explain that persons suffering from this disorder have trouble sleeping and feel detached from the rest of society. Also, the disorder can occur in conjunction with other psychophysical disorders such as depression, substance abuse, and problems with memory and cognition (www.ncptsd.org). In addition, social/family issues also ...