Answers to Questions About
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or "PTSD"
is a treatable condition which has its roots in the human mind's
automatic response to stress greater than it can handle. PTSD
has both physiolological and psychological components.
PTSD symptoms have been around for a long time.
During WWI and WWII, symptoms of PTSD were referred to as "shellshock"
or "battle fatigue." It wasn't until the Vietnam War
that the diagnosis of PTSD was first identified. Returning veterans
described symptoms of hypervigilance, being easily startled, frequent
nightmares, recurring dreams, anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts,
fears, social withdrawal, and a number of other symptoms. Psychologists
have since realized that many kinds of traumatic events can trigger
PTSD, including automobile accidents and other life-threatening
events such as heart attacks.
Other symptoms of PTSD can include reliving
the past event as though it is currently happening, dissociation,
and psychological numbing.
My "traumatic event" occurred gradually over a period
of more than a year. Could I be suffering from PTSD?
A long-term situation in which you feel that
your emotional and/or physical survival is at stake, in ways that
you did not choose and cannot control, can create PTSD symptoms.
In cases of long-term trauma, it can be more
difficult to associate the symptoms you are feeling to a specific
cause. Depression, irritability, social and emotional isolation,
and having an underlying feeling that something is not "right"
can be indications that a long-term trauma is causing difficulty.
Can something that happens to someone else cause me to experience
PTSD symptoms?
Witnessing a life-threatening event/events,
or feeling responsible for another whose life is in danger and
yet being helpless to control the outcome, can also cause PTSD
reactions.
I had a traumatic event, but it was years ago. Why am I having
symptoms now?
Symptoms of PTSD may arise shortly after the
traumatic event(s), or two weeks, six months, a year, or many
years later. An individual who has been previously traumatized
is at greater risk of suffering PTSD symptoms. Experiences of
childhood or other trauma can be triggered by a traumatic event
in adulthood. This could make you feel that your responses to
the current event are way out of proportion.
What causes PTSD?
PTSD has its roots in the human mind’s
automatic response to stress greater than it can handle. Stressors
include military service during wartime, accident, injury, rape,
and assault. Witnessing the violent death or injury of another
can also trigger a PTSD response, as can many kinds of life-disasters
such as losing one’s home, suddenly losing a loved one, or
suffering a significant natural disaster such as a major earthquake
or fire.
Can PTSD be treated?
YES! Treatments include psychotherapy and sometimes
medications to temporarily reduce anxiety and/or depression until
the underlying emotional injuries can be explored and resolved.
Are there things I can do on my own that will help?
Talking is one of the best things that you can
do. Talking to friends and family demystifies the event. Over
time it can become normalized, making it less surreal and nightmarish.
But—talking is not a substitute for treatment.
A therapist is trained not only to listen to your story, but to
guide the discussion and help you handle and learn from unpleasant
or uncomfortable feelings, to help you get past the painful blocks
you have around the event, and ultimately, to reduce or eliminate
your symptoms completely.
How long does treatment take?
Length of treatment depends upon the severity
of the trauma, whether you've been traumatized in the past, and
your reaction to the current trauma. Usually treatment requires
a minimum of of one to three years.
How much does it cost?
In the San Francisco Bay Area, therapy ranges
from approximately $90 to $150 per hour.
Will my insurance pay?
Some insurance carriers cover a portion of outpatient
mental health treatment. In California, the Victims
of Crime program allows 30 visits at $90 per hour (though
you should be aware that some therapists will not take VOC claims).
Will I ever get "back to normal?"
Hopefully one does not go back, but instead,
goes forward. This traumatic event might end up being a positive
turning point in your life, as you learn more about yourself.
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