Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Do You Have PTSD?
If you suspect that you might suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, complete a self-test and show it to your doctor or counselor.
MORE INFORMATION
To download ADAA’s new brochure on Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, click here.
GET HELP
For information or to talk to a professional, contact the Creighton Counseling Center at 280-2733.
Posttramatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a serious, potentially debilitating condition that can occur in people who have experienced or witnessed a life-threatening event, such as a natural disaster, serious accident, terrorist incident, sudden death of a loved one, war or violent personal assault, such as rape. While most people who experience such events recover from them, people with PTSD continue to be severely depressed and anxious for months or even years following the event. They frequently re-live the event through flashbacks and nightmares. Relaxing, concentrating or sleeping may become difficult. They often feel detached or estranged from loved ones.
PTSD is characterized by three main types of symptoms:
- Re-experiencing the trauma through intrusive distressing recollections of the event, flashbacks and nightmares;
- Emotional numbness and avoidance of places, people and activities that are reminders of the trauma; and
- Increased arousal including difficulty sleeping and concentrating, feeling jumpy, easily irritated and angered.
PTSD is diagnosed after a person has been experiencing the above symptoms for at least one month following a traumatic event. Sometimes symptoms of PTSD do not appear until several months or even years later.
Fast Facts About PTSD
- 7.7 million Americans age 18 and over have PTSD.
- PTSD can develop after an individual experiences a traumatic event such as sexual or physical assault, witnessing a death, the unexpected death of a loved one, natural disaster or a terrorist attack.
- 67% of those exposed to mass violence have been shown to develop PTSD - a higher rate than those exposed to other types of traumatic events, such as natural disasters.
- People who have experienced previous traumatic events run a higher risk of developing PTSD.
- Treatment of PTSD can include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), group therapy, exposure therapy, and medication.
- Women are twice as likely to develop PTSD as men.
- PTSD often occurs with depression, substance abuse or other anxiety disorders.