Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Essay

Erin Strickland
1st Block
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a complex anxiety disorder that
may occur when individuals experience or witness an event perceived as a threat
and in which they experience fear, terror, or helplessness, (Rebecca Frey). The
first notice of PTSD was after the Vietnam war, but later was acknowledged in
civilians who experienced a traumatic event. After being diagnosed, the patient
goes through treatment which is most commonly a form of psychotherapy and
medications. PTSD should be treated by a healthcare professional and is a big part
of healthcare. Veterans with PTSD receive healthcare benefits and disability
payments, which help them pay for their therapy and recovery.
PTSD varies from minor to sever. Signs and symptoms can include the
following: flashbacks, nightmares, depression, hyperarousal, and suicidal
behaviors. These symptoms could eventually affect the physical condition of the
patient, especially if they abuse drugs or alcohol. If the patient has nightmares,
they may not get enough sleep, causing sleep deprivation. Some studies show a
correlation between staying in a hospital and PTSD flashbacks. the delirium
caused by sedation and organ failure led to nightmarelike delusions and
distorted memories, The patients mistook a catheter in the bladder, for example,
as a sexual assault, and reported memories of events that never occurred, such as
plots to murder them, (Joseph Bienvenu).
When providing therapy or rehab to PTSD patients, you have to be careful to
not trigger memories of the event. Common things can trigger flashbacks, such as
loud noises or touching them. You may need to modify your treatment to make
them comfortable. You may need to try to not make loud noises, touch them only
if it is absolutely necessary, or increase privacy. If treatment for their PTSD
triggers their disorder, then the patient may refuse to get treated anymore and live
with their PTSD for the rest of their life.
Today, soldiers coming back from Iraq or Afghanistan are evaluated for
PTSD, many that are flagged for the disorder show no signs of it in the future.
However, many that are not flagged later have symptoms of it. The Institute of
Medicine (IOM) says, The scientific evidence on treatment modalities for PTSD
does not reach the level of certainty that would be desired for such a common and
serious condition among veterans." Louise Gerdes writes that the IOM
recommends that the funders of PTSD research take steps to identify and require
investigators to use methods that will improve the internal validity of the research.
The IOM, along with many others, argue that we are not doing enough for people
with PTSD, and we should since it is such a widespread condition.

Sources:
Frey, Rebecca J. "Post-traumatic stress disorder." The Gale Encyclopedia of
Medicine. Ed. Jacqueline L. Longe. 5th ed. Farmington Hills, MI: Gale, 2015.
Science in Context. Web. 1 Sept. 2016.
"Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)." Opposing Viewpoints Online Collection.
Detroit: Gale, 2015. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 1 Sept. 2016.
Alic, Margaret, PhD. "PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)." The Gale
Encyclopedia of Genetic Disorders. Ed. Tracie Moy and Laura Avery. 4th ed. Vol.
3. Farmington Hills, MI: Gale, 2016. 1506-1510. Science in Context. Web. 1 Sept.
2016.
Black, Harvey. "A Hospital Stay Can Trigger PTSD." Scientific American. N.p., 03
June 2013. Web. 05 Sept. 2016.
"Most Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Therapies Are Ineffective." Behavioral
Disorders. Ed. Louise I. Gerdes. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2010. Opposing
Viewpoints. Rpt. from "Treatment of PTSD: An Assessment of the Evidence."
Report Brief. Institute of Medicine, 2007. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 2
Sept. 2016.