Post+Traumatic+Stress+Disorder

Jack and Martin

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

**Causes of PTSD**


 * Natural Disaster[[image:flippingaround_911.flv.jpg width="358" height="268" align="right"]]
 * Assault
 * Domestic Abuse
 * Prison Stay
 * Rape[[image:file:///Users/student/Desktop/flippingaround_911.flv.jpg]]
 * Terrorism
 * War
 * Other traumatic events

The real cause of PTSD is unknown. There are psychological, genetic, physical, and social factors involved. PTSD changes the bodies response to stress by changing the hormones and chemicals in the nerves.

1. Reliving the event - flashback episodes, repeated upsetting memories, and nightmares of the event. 2. Avoidance - emotional feeling as you don't care about anything. Feeling detached and acting depressed. 3. Arousal - Difficulty concentrating, being paranoid, and being more cautious of things.
 * Symptoms of PTSD**

There are no laboratory tests to specifically diagnose PTSD. Instead to give a proper diagnosis doctors run tests to check for the symptoms and diagnose from there. PTSD is treated by either medication or psychotherapy. Anti-depressants are used to treat the feelings of PTSD and psychotherapy is used to help the patient cope with the event and learn to manage their symptoms to cure the disorder. There are several different versions of psychotherapy including:
 * Diagnosis and Treatment**
 * Cognitive-behavior therapy[[image:ptsd-2.jpg width="221" height="186" align="right"]]
 * Exposure therapy
 * Psychodynamic therapy
 * Family therapy
 * Group therapy
 * EMDR

Sources: **http://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/guide/post-traumatic-stress-disorder?page=2**
 * http://www.ncbi.nlm.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001923/**
 * Post Traumatic Stress Disorder by Peggy Thomas**


 * Links: @Mood Disorders**
 * @Bipolar Disorder**