Print Article for : What Is Stress Disorder

Your Online Guide » Guide to Medical » Cure Anxiety

[W527]What Is Stress Disorder

by Abigail Franks, Abi

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, (NIMH), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is one of the 5 recognized types of mental illness commonly known as anxiety disorders. While these five major categories are significant, the complexity of mental disorders demand for segmentation into even more conditions.

The post-traumatic stress syndrome, or PTSD is commonly associated with veterans returning from a war zone. Further study however, has suggested that this disorder isn't limited to war zone veterans that can be identified and people who have had a significant negative event touch their lives. Understand that the complexity of this illness isn't limited to simply mood swings but is embedded in general feeling caused by an event.

That event would naturally be very disturbing, unsettling or emotional scarring. These types of events may include:

a. A physically dangerous situation such as a fire or automobile accident.
b. A physical assault, rape, mugging, threats on your life etc.
c. Personal property assault. Theft, break in of your home, etc.
d. A family member, relative or close friend may have been involved in any of the above

What's interesting is that a person who may be suffering with post traumatic stress disorder isn't necessarily the person who was directly hurt by the event. Throughout the US, many people who didn't lose family in the World Trade Center on September 11 or even lives in New York City were dramatically and emotionally affected by the disaster. This is also a common problem when student and workplace shootings occur.

Stress disorder of the posttraumatic type can be characterized as an emotional rollercoaster that never ends. The fear and "shell shock" feeling of just going through a significant life threatening event can be devastating.

Many PTSD disorder sufferers will regain their emotional equilibrium given enough time. Many find that cognitive behavioral therapy and counseling can help speed the process along. In some of the more extreme in serious cases medications have been used effectively.

One difficulty in living with post traumatic stress disorder symptoms is that seemingly on associated things are events can act as a trigger to cause panic and worry. A good example of this is after someone has broken into your home, every noise can become a trigger to relive the event. Imagine a situation where a creaking door brings a flood of thoughts about an intruder in your home back into your memory.

Although far from being just a condition identified with returning war veterans, post traumatic stress has become a significant issue in our modern day world. With the all too frequent mindless shootings in previously safe places like high schools and the workplace it's no wonder that post traumatic stress is a growing problem in our society. If you or a loved one is suffering from this stress disorder, get professional psychological help as soon as possible.

* Feeling like the event is happening again
* Trouble sleeping or nightmares
* Not feeling close to people
* Becoming easily angered
* Feeling guilty because others died when you lived

If so, you might have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Events that might cause PTSD include rape, physical abuse, an airplane or car crash, war or others. For most people, PTSD starts about three months after the event. However, sometimes signs of PTSD show up years later. PTSD can happen to anyone, even children.

And, know this - You are not alone. 5.2 million Americans have PTSD.

If you have PTSD, you often have nightmares or scary thoughts about the experience you went through. You try to stay away from anything that reminds you of your experience. You may feel angry and unable to trust or care about other people. You may always be on the lookout for danger. You can feel very upset when something happens suddenly or without warning.

The symptoms of PTSD fall into three broad types: re-living, avoidance and increased arousal.

1. Symptoms of re-living include flashbacks, nightmares, and extreme emotional and physical reactions to reminders of the event. Emotional reactions can include feeling guilty, extreme fear of harm, and numbing of emotions. Physical reactions can include uncontrollable shaking, chills or heart palpitations, and tension headaches.

2. Symptoms of avoidance include staying away from activities, places, thoughts, or feelings related to the trauma or feeling detached or estranged from others.

3. Symptoms of increased arousal include being overly alert or easily startled, difficulty sleeping, irritability or outbursts of anger, and lack of concentration.

The National Institute of Mental Health conducts and supports research on reactions to national crises and traumatic events. This research includes the reactions of people following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack on the Twin Towers; the Oklahoma City bombing; wars and violence in the Middle East; and disasters such as earthquakes, tornados, fires, floods, and hurricanes, including the 2005 Gulf Coast storms.

There are many different responses to crisis. Most survivors have intense feelings after a traumatic event but recover from the trauma; others have more difficulty recovering 'especially those who have had previous traumatic experiences, who are faced with ongoing stress, or who lack support from friends and family' and will need additional help.

There are many things you can do to cope with traumatic events.

* Understand that your symptoms may be normal, especially right after the trauma.
* Keep to your usual routine.
* Take the time to resolve day-to-day conflicts so they do not add to your stress.
* Do not shy away from situations, people and places that remind you of the trauma.
* Find ways to relax and be kind to yourself.
* Turn to family, friends, and clergy person for support, and talk about your experiences and feelings with them.
* Participate in leisure and recreational activities.
* Recognize that you cannot control everything.
* Recognize the need for trained help, and call a local mental health center

Past traumatic experiences can have a profound impact on the amount of anxiety that we regularly feel. Children who grew up in extremely abusive environments often grow up to very anxious adults. Veterans of war many times come back with a heightened level of anxiety. And also, survivors of major disasters are prone to severe anxiety disorders.

About half of those with PTSD recover within three months without treatment. Sometimes symptoms do not go away on their own or they last for more than three months. This may happen because of the severity of the event, direct exposure to the traumatic event, seriousness of the threat to life, the number of times an event happened, a history of past trauma, and psychological problems before the event. If this is the case, you may need to consider seeking professional help if your symptoms affect your relationship with your family and friends, or affect your job.

Article Source : Pg. 8

About Author

Both Abigail Franks & Sherry Harris are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Abigail Franks has sinced written about articles on various topics from Home Schooling, Health and Mortgage. Abigail Franks has done exhaustive research on many mental health issues. Visit the site for more information on . Abigail Franks's top article generates over 246000 views. to your Favourites.

Sherry Harris has sinced written about articles on various topics from Alternative Medicine, Cure Anxiety and Sleep Disorder. Sherry Harris is the author of the successful e-book . It was created to be The Definitive Guide of insomnia treatments on. Sherry Harris's top article generates over 27100 views. to your Favourites.