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Post-traumatic stress disorder

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Post-traumatic stress disorder

Alternative Names: PTSD Symptoms: Symptoms of PTSD fall into three general categories: Text Continues Below 1. Repeated "reliving" of the event, which disturbs day-to-day activity Recurrent distressing memories of the event Recurrent dreams of the event Flashback episodes, where the event seems to be recurring Bodily reactions to situations that remind them of the traumatic event 2. Avoidance Inability to remember important aspects of the trauma Lack of interest in normal activities Feelings of detachment Sense of having no future Emotional "numbing", or feeling as though they don’t care about anything Reduced expression of moods Staying away from places, people, or objects that remind them of the event 3. Arousal Irritability or outbursts of anger Sleeping difficulties Difficulty concentrating Exaggerated response to things that startle them Hypervigilance Other symptoms that may be associated with this disease include a sense of guilt about the event (including "survivor guilt"), and the following symptoms, which are typical of anxiety, stress, and tension: Paleness Feeling your heart beat in your chest, called palpitations Headache Fever Fainting Dizziness Agitation, or excitability Signs and tests: There are no tests that can be done to make the diagnosis of PTSD. The diagnosis is made based on a certain set of symptoms that persist after a history of extreme trauma. Your doctor will do psychiatric and physical examinations to rule out other illnesses.

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