Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Essay -- Post-traumatic stress

Post-traumatic stress disorder (posttraumatic stress disorder) is a relatively new diagnosis that was associated with survivors of war when it was first introduced. Its diagnosis was met largely with skepticism and dismissal by the public of the validity of the illness. posttraumatic stress disorder was only widely accepted when it was included as a diagnosis in 1980 in the third edition of the diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III) of the Ameri end Psychiatric Association. posttraumatic stress disorder is a complex mental disorder that develops in response to exposure to a horrific traumatic event that stems a cluster of symptoms. Being afflicted with the disorder is debilitating, disrupting an individuals ability to function and perform the most basic tasks.Who gets PTSD? Post-traumatic stress disorder can develop at any age, from childhood years to adulthood with any cultural, social, and economic background. Any individual that goes throug h a particular traumatic event can experience great stress and anxiety that can then develop into a post-traumatic stress disorder. Protective improvement men and women, victims of rape, abuse, and torture, as well as victims of natural disasters, accidents are examples of a mass variety of individuals that are touched by the post-traumatic stress disorder. PTSD can be caused by witnessing or by being part of a traumatic event such as combat, torture, abuse, natural disaster, motor-vehicle accident and even a sudden loss of a loved one. Many factors play an important role to determining whether an individual is pre-disposed to PTSD. Risk factors are those that contribute to a mortal to have a higher prevalence of developing PTSD, while resilience factors help the individual to overcome trauma.Risk Factors Sin... ...of the individual to develop the disorder. Identification of individuals with PTSD is a complex decision to make, as there are many contributing factors for d ifferent people. However, treatments, prevention, and assessments of the disorder will be improved and enhanced in the near future.Works CitedFoa, E. B., Keane, T. M., Friedman, M. J., & Cohen, J. A. (2000). Effective treatments for PTSD practice guidelines from the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (Second Edition ed.). New York Guilford Press. Reyes, G., Elhai, J. D., & Ford, J. D. (2008). The Encyclopedia of Psychological Trauma. Hoboken John Wiley & Sons. Violanti, J. M., & Paton, D. (2006). Who gets PTSD?. Springfield, Illinois Charles C Thomas. Wilson, J. P., Friedman, M. J., & Lindy, J. D. (2001). Treating psychological trauma and PTSD. New York Guilford Press.