PTSD

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder is an anxiety disorder that develops after a terrifying ordeal.  You can have anxiety symptoms right after the trauma or they can develop days, months, or even years later. Post-traumatic Stress Disorder can happen to anyone at any age.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is anxiety that develops after an ordeal involving physical harm or the threat of physical harm.  You can develop post-traumatic stress disorder if you are the one who was threatened or harmed, if you observed an ordeal that happened to someone you loved or cared deeply about, or even if you witnessed a harmful event that happened to a stranger.

Post-traumatic stress disorder should not be confused with the mourning, grief and adjustments that normally take place after a traumatic event. 

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects approximately 8 million American adults, but it can occur at any age, including children and adolescents.  Typically, you may develop post-traumatic stress disorder after you have:

Experienced or witnessed physical, emotional or sexual abuse
Witnessed the sudden death of a loved one
Experienced or witnessed a mugging
Experienced or witnessed life-threatening medical complications
Been involved in serious exploitation, such as through prostitution or enslavement
Been a victim of a violent crime, been kidnapped or held captive
Experienced or witnessed physical or psychological torture
Been involved or witnessed a disaster, war or bombing
Experienced a vicious attack by an animal
Had a post cult/sect religious experience
Had or observed a close brush with death as a result of some traumatic situation
Been in any event where you thought you might be killed

If you are like many other people who suffer with post-traumatic stress disorder, you may have flashbacks where you repeatedly relive the trauma.  Typically, these flashbacks can be so real that you lose touch with reality and, at the time, believe that the traumatic incident is happening again.

The symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder cover the full range of anxiety responses including things like headaches, physiological problems, difficulty concentrating, eating problems, chronic pain and fatigue, sleeping problems, dizziness, depression and hopelessness, lowered self-esteem, feeling emotionally numb or detached from others, being irritable, angry or jumpy, having suicidal thoughts, engaging in self-destructive behavior including addictions and alcohol and drug abuse, and engaging in other high-risk behaviors.

It is estimated that approximately 70% of adults in the United States have experienced a traumatic event at least once in their lives and most of these people do not develop a post-traumatic stress disorder. Typically, the emotional effects of traumatic events will tend to subside after several months but, if they last longer, then it may be time to seek professional help.

A number of therapy approaches have been shown to be effective in treating someone suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder including reality therapy, traditional psychotherapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy, group therapy, relaxation techniques, and stress management skills.  In addition, some of my clients desire to augment their therapy with psychotropic medication prescribed by a physician.

In each case the objectives of treatment are to reduce your emotional distress and other related problem areas and help you to be more effective in dealing with the event that triggered the disorder. 

For more information about Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, please click on the linked websites listed below.

"If you really want help dealing with your feelings and emotions, changing your behavior, and improving your life, I will be happy to help you.  I am available almost any time and any place.  You can call me directly and there is no cost or obligation for the initial telephone consultation.  Or you can reach me by email.  I look forward to the possibility of helping you to improve your life."   Dr. Vince Berger