Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder has existed for as long as people have experienced trauma, according to Dr. James Reeves, a psychiatrist with University Medical Center.
During a Mini Medical School presentation hosted by UMC, Reeves explained that Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, dates back to the 1800s and has been recognized under different names throughout history, such as Railroad Spinal Syndrome, which emerged following traumatic train accidents, and shell shock, a label commonly used to describe combat-related trauma in veterans of World War I and World War II.
“PTSD can be found not just in combat veterans but in anybody of any age,” Reeves said. “About half of all people in the United States will go through a traumatic event at some point in life.”
Risk factors for PTSD include previous trauma, childhood neglect and a history of depression or anxiety. Common symptoms include intrusive memories such as flashbacks or nightmares, avoidance of reminders of the traumatic event, insomnia and changes in mood or thinking.
Reeves said PTSD is closely tied to the body’s natural fight-or-flight response. Traumatic events can trigger this survival mechanism, causing the brain and body to remain in a heightened state of alert even long after the danger has passed. Signs include dilation of pupil, dry mouth, fast breathing, heart pounding, tense muscles, slow digestion and sweating of palms.
There are four criteria for diagnosing PTSD. The first focuses on trauma, in which the patient has experienced, witnessed or was confronted with an event that involved serious injury or death, or was a threat to themselves or to others.
The second involves the patient re-experiencing their traumatic event through distressing recollections of the event in their thoughts or perceptions and experiencing psychological distress in having to recall the details of the event.
The third shows the patient avoiding thoughts and activities related to the trauma, with feelings of numbness in the body and a sense of detachment from others.
The fourth and final criterion highlights the patient’s inability to sleep, having trouble with expressed anger and having difficulty concentrating on daily life functions.
“The most effective treatment for PTSD is therapy,” said Reeves. “To overcome your fear, you must face your fear; avoiding your fears only makes them stronger.”
Mini Medical School is a collaborative program of UMC and The University of Alabama’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute that provides educational lectures by UMC health-care providers to OLLI members. The lectures are also open to the public.