Treating PTSD – Symptoms and Coping Tips
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder is a disorder that can develop when a person experiences an event that is life-threatening or appears to threaten their safety. Soldiers are the people most often associated with PTSD. However, many civilians have experienced similar traumatic experiences, such as rape or a violent act against them. PTSD occurs when an event completely overwhelms an individual, and the emotions and feelings associated with its memory are deeply hurtful and upsetting. When this feeling comes on, sufferers are tempted to take flight, freeze, or go directly into fight mode.
Example of events that can trigger PTSD include: war, plane and car crashes, terrorist attacks, the sudden death of someone close, kidnapping, rape, violent assault, and even childhood neglect. PTSD is most common in the days, weeks, and months after a traumatic event occurs. However, it can sometimes take years to surface. Such is the case with many soldiers returning home from war, or people who have buried a trauma only to have it resurface after years.