Family therapy. The entire family is 111wt. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, affected when a person experiences 2000. Posttraum.atic trauma. A skilled family therapist can help Wilson, John, Friedman, Matthew, Lindy, family members provide support for the Jacob (eds.). Trent1i1_q P.1ychologic11/ Trauma nnd victim and deal with their own . PTSD. New York: Guilford Press, 2001. Stress Disorder Support groups. A support group can be very healing when it includes others WHAT IS POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS who share similar experiences and who SEE THESE HANDOUTS FOR RELATED TOPICS DISORDER? struggle with similar problems. Building Your Self-Esteem Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) devel­ Cognitive behavioral therapy. Support­ Childhood Trauma ops in response to a traumatic or life­ ive psychotherapy is essential for anyone threatening event that is outside the normal who has experienced trauma. The cogni­ range of experience. It can arise when a tive behavioral approach is shown to be Dissociation person experiences or witnesses an event such helpful in treating PTSD symptoms. How People Change as any of the following: Eye movement desensitization repro­ Managing Angry Feelings cessing (EMDR). A fairly new thera­ • Sexual abuse Managing peutic tool. EMDR is shown lo be • Rape effective in treating victims of trauma. A Phobias, , and Agoraphobia • Lil'e-threatening injury or illness licensed, experienced therapist trained in Recovering from Loss this technique may be able to relieve the • Murder Techniques symptoms of' PTSD. • Violence Seeking Spirituality Relaxation training. Since many victims • Being threatened with a weapon Sleep Disturbance of trauma have a difficult time relaxing, • Terrorism special training to promote relaxation may be helpful. • Physical exercise. An active exercise • Natural disaster (e.g., tornado, hurricane, program is an excellent way to relieve earthquake) stress. • Early and traumatic loss of a parent Medication. Antidepressant medications can help relieve symptoms of depression and anxiety, and they also encourage sleep.

WHERE CAN I GO FOR MORE INFORMATION?

National Center for PTSD (www.ptsd.va.gov/)

/PTSD.va.gov offers free information about PTSD and related disorders.

Rothschild, Babette. The BoJy Reme111ber.1: The

A1ychophy.1111/o_qy of Trauma a,u) Trauma Trent- People w ho develop PTSD may have both psy­ HOW IS PTSD DIFFERENT FROM NORMAL make one more vulnerable in the face ofa chological and physical symptoms. The disor­ REACTIONS TO STRESS? traumatic event. der often occurs in conjunction with conditions Not everyone who experiences or witnesses a S upport system. Those lacking in family s uch as depression, substance abuse, and mem­ life-threatening or traumatic act develops and friends who will listen and offer a ory a nd thi nking problems. PTSD. After such an experience, most people shoulder to lean on are likely to have a have the symptoms ofacute stress-beginning much more d ifficult time recovering from WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF PTSD? with a sense of numbness or shock and perhaps a traumatic experience. Some symptoms of PTSD may become appar­ , , a nd anxiety. T hey may also Family and social environment. Vic­ ent right away; other symptoms may be have any of the symptoms in the preceding list. tims made to feel ashamed or guilty are delayed until adulthood. T he symptoms of T hese signs of' acute stress are normal. If they much more li kely to experience PTSD. PTSD may last from several months to many d isappear within a month, they do not consti­ T hose treated with and under­ years and may include the foll owing: tute PTSD, but if they worsen and last longer standing have a much better chance of than a month, PTSD could be the diagnosis. complete recovery. • Confusion • Agitation; hyperarousal WHY DO SOME PEOPLE GET PTSD WHILE fl' WHAT IS THE TREATMENT OF PTSD? OTHERS DON'T? • and anxiety Early treatment is best. Ideally, the vic­ • Feelings of helplessness Several factors determine w hether a person tim of' trauma should receive supportive suffers from PTSD following a traumatic expe­ • ; treatment at the earliest possible time. Vic­ r ience. The following are the most important tims benefit from the support of' their fam­ • Sadness; depression factors: ily members, friends, and mental health • S hock, , or numbness prof'essionals. The most important element • D issociation ofany treatment plan is to create a sense Tuse +rea.ted witk eiupa.~ Md tnuler­ • W ithdrawal; detachment ofsafety. • Flashbacks of the event st-a.nding ka.ve a. iu.u.ek better ekMce or • Avoidance ofspecific places and situations eoiuple+e reeove~J- Tu en.tire ra.Mi~ is affected wken. a. • In children, acting out of the event in play peroon. experiences tra.uKW.. Asblled s ituations Nature and extent of trauma. The more ra.Mi~ tkefafist ea.n. kelp ra.Mi~ W!u­ • N ightmares horrific the experience, the greater the • Dread of the event happening again impact it w ill have on anyone who experi­ bero provide suprorl- for tke vietiu • Fear of imminent death ences it. Md dea.l witk tkeir ow,t feelings. • Less in activities t hat once were skills. People with a better abil­ enjoyable ity to cope with st ress will have fewer and milder symptoms. Individual psychotherapy . A therapist • Headaches, stomachaches, or other physi­ who specializes in working with victims of cal symptoms Previous experiences. People w ho have experienced mul tiple traumatic events in trauma can help the patient talk about the • Insomnia the past may be at greater risk. event. The patient can also be encouraged • Inability to concentrate to write about it. The therapist may use Current stress level. Already experienc­ behavior modification techniques and cog­ ing a g reat amount of li fe stress is likely to nitive therapy to alleviate the person's and worries.