Archives - Psychology: Page 18
Author: Mariela Jaime (Fri May 05, 2006 4:45 pm)
Title: Stress after a traumatic event.
Being a child, my father almost drowned swimming in the beach. After that he began to experience nightmares in which he was drowning. Having nightmares or flashbacks and other forms of reactions due to a traumatic event are not rare. The consequences of this incident could well fall into what we know as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): a debilitating condition that follows a terrifying event.
I have seen many movies that are based in people who suffer with this disorder. For example, the movie “Vertigo”, directed by Alfred Hitchcock in which the main character has an accident. Following the accident, he begins to suffer with this condition.
PTSD can result from any number of traumatic incidents such as kidnapping, a car accident, natural disasters such as floods or earthquakes, violent attacks such as mugging, rape, torture or kidnapping. Some people with PTSD repeatedly relive the trauma in the form of nightmares and disturbing recollections during the day. They may also experience sleep problems, depression, anxiety, substance abuse and feeling detached. They may feel more aggressive than before, become easily irritated or have violent outbursts, have trouble working or socializing. Seeing things that remind them of the incident may trigger flashbacks or intrusive images. In general, the symptoms seem to be worse if the event that triggered them was initiated by a person (such as rape), as opposed to a flood.
A person having a flashback, which can come in the form of images, sounds, smells, or feelings, usually believes that the traumatic event is happening all over again. Seeing things that remind them of the incident may be very distressing; and therefore, lead them to avoid places or situations that bring back those memories. Anniversaries of the event may also be very difficult.
However, not every person gets full-blown PTSD, or experiences PTSD at all. It is only diagnosed if the symptoms last more than a month, and the symptoms usually begin within 3 months of the trauma. Occasionally, the illness doesn’t show up until years after the traumatic event.
Some people recover within six months, others have symptoms that last much longer. In some cases, the condition may be chronic. For example, a research done by Dr. Richard J. McNally, of Harvard University, detected that veterans from Vietnam with lower levels of intelligence had more inclination to have chronic PTSD as a result from their experiences than their partners with higher levels of intelligence.
Nevertheless, regardless of the severity of the condition or trauma to which the person was exposed to, taking medications, psychotherapy, and support from family and friends can help speed recovery. Having support from our loved ones during difficult times can make a huge difference in our lives.