Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that’s triggered by a terrifying event. Either they may have experienced it or witnessed it.
Those events include violent assault, kidnapping, sexual assault, torture, being a hostage, prisoner of war or concentration camp victim,experiencing a disaster, violent automobile accidents or getting a diagnosis of a life-threatening illness or being a rescue worker.
“In war, there are no unwounded soldiers.”-Jose Narosky
According to US studies using DSM-IV criteria have reported a 1-month prevalence of PTSD of 1.2% for men and 2.7% for women (Stein et al 1997)
Many people who go through traumatic events have difficulty adjusting and coping for a while, but they don’t have PTSD with time and good self-care, they usually get better.
But if the symptoms get worse or last for months or even years and interfere with your functioning, you may have PTSD. But it is important to meet a doctor to confirm the diagnosis.
These patients will come with flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event.
However this is treatable with medications and psychological treatments. People of all ages can have post-traumatic stress disorder. Some aetiology is identified and some individuals are more at risk to develop PTSD after a traumatic event.
- Here the severity, duration, and proximity of an individual’s exposure to the traumatic event are the most important factors
Dr. Yapa Wijeratne