RUNNING HEADER: INTRODUCTION TO PTSD AND TRAUMA STUDIES

Introduction to PTSD and Trauma Studies

Introduction to PTSD and Trauma Studies

Introduction

Post-traumatic stress disorder is commonly described among victims of severe trauma outside of normal human experience, in this case the combat veterans returning from deployment. Traumatic events can lead to reevaluation of life and its meaning; a reconsideration of what is truly important which often changes one's set of priorities. Trauma often causes abrupt cessation of continuity in coherence in sense of one's self (Barlow, 2002). This paper will discuss about the Introduction to PTSD and Trauma Studies.

Discussion

Introduction to PTSD and Trauma Studies

What is post-traumatic stress disorder? What can cause PTSD and how does it affect that individual and the people around them? When the subject of PTSD arises, the “average” persons' first thoughts of PTSD are combat veterans. The fact of the matter is, PTSD has many ways of rearing its ugly face into society. PTSD is caused when an individual if any situation where they have experienced a tremendous event, whether it be through observation or have experienced the event directly. Examples that may cause post-traumatic stress disorder are: child abuse, child neglect, a physical altercation, sexual molestation, rape, combat exposure and among many other things which can include witnessing a death.

What causes post-traumatic stress disorder? The medical community has only recently recognized stress due to combat as PTSD. It did not have a name until the Vietnam War. During World War I, PTSD was called "shell shock" and as "battle fatigue" during World War II. Medical historians described PTSD-like symptoms as "Da Costa's Syndrome" during the Civil War. In combat situations, military veterans experience the death of others, including their close battle buddies. They are also exposed to a high level of stress every day while they are in combat with their opposing side. Men and women in combat also have to deal with the colleagues they see every day which can also cause stress. Not knowing what to expect with each passing day can take a huge toll mentally on them.

How does-traumatic stress disorders affect the individual? There really is no telling when the symptoms of PTSD may come to pass. It can take from weeks, to months or to years for symptoms to arise depending on the individual. PTSD can cause a person to have issues with anger. They can become very violent, and in a worst-case scenario, can cause of death to another person. That can be due to an issue with anger or by having a "flashback." A "flashback" can be caused by that individual experiencing a similar event while at home or by seeing something on the news or a television program that reminds them of a traumatic event they experienced. Another effect caused by PTSD can be that individual becoming depressed and suicidal. A good friend of mine recently committed suicide due to his exposure while in Afghanistan. PTSD can also have an effect on the brain causing them to have that ...