We’ve all heard about how stress can affect people long after a trauma has occurred. Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can result after almost any event that is life-threatening, that causes intense fear, or that severely affects a person’s emotional well-being. Military veterans who have served in combat zones often return with PSTD and people who have witnessed or sustained a severe accident or physical injury can later be diagnosed with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. In fact, getting a life-threatening medical diagnosis (such as cancer), being the victim of a rape, robbery, assault, or kidnapping, being exposed to a natural disaster (or man-made disaster, such as the terrorist attacks of 9/11), or enduring physical, sexual, emotional abuse can all lead to PSTD.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms include:

• Flashbacks, bad dreams, or alarming thoughts, as well as the physical sensations they are remembering. Re-experiencing symptoms of the trauma can be brought on by situations, words, or objects that remind the victim of the trauma
• Feeling emotionally numb or, conversely, feeling guilty, worried, or depressed
• Avoiding anything that reminds them of the dangerous event
• Being easily upset, feeling “on edge”, having trouble sleeping, or having angry outbursts.

Having these feelings and symptoms can make the person even more upset and can cause them to change their routine, which can make them feel even more tense and angry.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder treatment helps victims cope with the trauma that so deeply affected them. Talking to other survivors, joining a support group, relaxation techniques, and eliminating negative behaviors (for instance, not abusing alcohol and being with other people instead of keeping oneself isolated) can sometimes help people manage their symptoms. Often, however, it is recommended that victims seek professional Post Traumatic Stress Disorder treatment such as:

• Psychotherapy, including cognitive behavior therapy, to teach the person ways to manage their fear and anxiety
• Medications which can help decrease physical symptoms and allow sufferers to modify external stimuli and decrease fear. Research shows that medications can decrease anxiety, depression, and panic, and reduce the aggression, impulsivity, and suicidal thoughts that can be associated with PSTD.

Most of all, therapy helps the person understand that PSTD develops, not because of a personal weakness, but because of extraordinary stress. For more information aboutPost Traumatic Stress Disorder treatment, contact Dr. David A. Gross in Delray Beach, Florida at 561-496-1281 or email Dr. Gross today.