Causes Of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
In the past decade there has been a tremendous increase in individuals diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disorder that is caused as a direct result of experiencing or witnessing traumatic or life-threatening events (Iribarren, Prolo, Neagos & Chiappelli, 2005, pp. 503-504). Many individuals have suffered from traumas in childhood such as physical abuse, mental abuse, sexual abuse and bullying which can carry over into adulthood. As a nation that has been involved in years of violent wars we are also seeing increased numbers of currently active duty military members as well as veterans suffering from PTSD. Repeated exposure to combat and the multitude of horrors an individual
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PTSD can become quite debilitating as it causes disruption in the daily lives of those suffering from it as well as within their families lives, admitting to loved ones that you may not feel mentally sound is a heavy burden to carry. As a result, individuals suffering from PTSD often turn to drugs and/or alcohol to mask the pain that they are feeling both physically and mentally. PTSD causes both biological and psychological issues, depression is staggering and as stated anxiety issues become part of daily life as the individual fears events that may remind them of the past or that new experiences will result in similar trauma. As you know, many individuals suffering from PTSD are stuck in a constant state of flight or fight which leaves them continuously flooded with the neurohormone cortisol. This continuous flood of stress causing hormones leads to chronic physical and emotional pain as the body is left in a constant state of tension. Physically, PTSD is often related to chronic pain experienced from combat wounds that have long-term effects that are limiting. Prior to their injuries most veterans state that they had active lives with friends and families and now are unable to participate or are fearful of letting down loved ones so they just don’t try (Gibson,
PTSD can become quite debilitating as it causes disruption in the daily lives of those suffering from it as well as within their families lives, admitting to loved ones that you may not feel mentally sound is a heavy burden to carry. As a result, individuals suffering from PTSD often turn to drugs and/or alcohol to mask the pain that they are feeling both physically and mentally. PTSD causes both biological and psychological issues, depression is staggering and as stated anxiety issues become part of daily life as the individual fears events that may remind them of the past or that new experiences will result in similar trauma. As you know, many individuals suffering from PTSD are stuck in a constant state of flight or fight which leaves them continuously flooded with the neurohormone cortisol. This continuous flood of stress causing hormones leads to chronic physical and emotional pain as the body is left in a constant state of tension. Physically, PTSD is often related to chronic pain experienced from combat wounds that have long-term effects that are limiting. Prior to their injuries most veterans state that they had active lives with friends and families and now are unable to participate or are fearful of letting down loved ones so they just don’t try (Gibson,