Posttraumatic Stress disorder

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Posttraumatic stress disorder, which is also known as PTSD, is a very serious condition that develops when a person ends up witnessing or experiencing an event that is terrifying or traumatic and it is of a nature of inflicting intense physical harm. Apart from that, events in which the person is threatened to an extensive extent can also cause development of posttraumatic stress disorder. PTSD is a medical condition that lasts for long and consists of a sequence of traumatic ordeals that have the tendency to cause extensive helplessness, fear and horror in person (Friedlander et. al, 2004). The events which can inflict such intense fear, stress and horror in people are usually the events which are of serious nature and have left a lasting impact on people, such as a physical or sexual assault, unexpected deaths of loved ones, wars, accidents, or natural disasters. Moreover, families of people who are victims of such events are also likely to develop posttraumatic stress disorder, and rescue personnel as well as emergency workers can also develop this medical disorder.

People who have been through events of trauma and extreme stress will develop reactions that are likely to include anger, shock, nervousness, fear, and in some case, even guilt. These feelings and reactions are more than common and stay for a long time for most of the people (Muhvic-Urek et. al, 2007). In people who are suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder, such feelings continue to increase and become strong to such an extent that they make it difficult for the person to live his life normally. Usually, the symptoms in posttraumatic stress disorder stay for more than a month and that makes them unable to function properly in their everyday lives.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Oral Health

A depressed mood and extensive use of alcohol as well as tobacco is likely to accompany posttraumatic stress disorder. PTSD is actually a chronic mental illness that rises after a person witnesses or experiences a life-threatening event (Friedlander et. al, 2004). Due to the habits and symptoms which the victims develop, they are more than likely to adapt habits which are injurious to their health and also stop taking care of their health, including their oral health. The symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder include constant re-experiencing of the traumatic event, an increase in negative emotions and withdrawal from social life. People who have an active social life are more likely to take care of their health and oral hygiene as they know that they have to go out and meet people, as well as interact with them. On the other hand, people who have posttraumatic stress disorder do not really feel the need to take care of their oral hygiene as they become more of introverts and start avoiding social gatherings and events. Dental diseases become extensive because people suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder ignore oral hygiene and are also highly involved in cigarette smoking.

The dental treatment that they need to be ...