Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

 

Traumatized individuals frequently develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a disorder in which the memory of the traumatic event comes to dominate the victims' consciousness, depleting their lives of meaning and pleasure.

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Post traumatic stress disorder is a condition brought on by seeing or experiencing a shocking event. 

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What Are the Risk Factors for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder?

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Those at risk for developing PTSD may have experienced the following:

• Domestic or intimate partner violence

• Rape or sexual abuse

• Physical assault

• Random acts of violence

• Neglect

• Unexpected events including car accidents, natural disasters, acts of terrorism, or industrial accidents

• Being diagnosed with a life threatening illness

• The sudden loss of a loved one

Additionally, those who have military experience, or who have served as EMS workers, police officers, firemen, and search and rescue teams are at a higher risk of being diagnosed with PTSD.4
 
Although experiencing these events does not guarantee that individuals will develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, statistics indicate that those who experience severe physical abuse such as rape, severe assault, or other sexual trauma are 23.7 to 49 percent more likely to develop PTSD. Other traumatic experiences such as natural disasters or witnessing a tragic event are less likely to lead to PTSD diagnosis.4