PTSD notes

Definition: “Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that's triggered by a terrifying event — either experiencing it or witnessing it. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event.” By Mayo Clinic Staff
PTSD symptoms: are generally grouped into four types: intrusive memories, avoidance, negative changes in thinking and mood, or changes in emotional reactions.
Causes:
-Inherited mental health risks, such as an increased risk of anxiety and depression
-Life experiences, including the amount and severity of trauma you've gone through since early childhood
-Inherited aspects of your personality — often called your temperame
-The way your brain regulates the chemicals and hormones your body releases in response to stress Risk factors: -Experiencing intense or long-lasting trauma -Having experienced other trauma earlier in life, including childhood abuse or neglect -Having a job that increases your risk of being exposed to traumatic events, such as military personnel and first responders -Having other mental health problems, such as anxiety or depression -Lacking a good support system of family and friends -Having biological (blood) relatives with mental health problems, including PTSD or depression
Kinds of traumatic events:
-Combat exposure
-Childhood neglect and physical abuse
-Sexual assault
-Physical attack
-Being threatened with a weapon
-such as fire -natural disaster -mugging
-robbery
-car accident
- plane crash
-torture
-kidnapping
-life-threatening
-medical diagnosis
-terrorist attack
-other extreme or life-threatening
Complications:
Post-traumatic stress disorder can disrupt your whole life: your job, your relationships, your health and your enjoyment of everyday activities.
Having PTSD also may increase your risk of other mental health problems, such as:
-Depression and anxiety
-Issues with drugs or alcohol use