Of the many types of anxiety disorders, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is one of the most widely discussed. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is often found in the news because many sufferers of this unique type of anxiety disorder develop it after the kind of distressing event that often captures the attention of the media.
For example, after the world trade center attack in 2001, many people who witnessed the towers collapse and many rescue workers who spent time at ground zero in the days following the tragedy developed post traumatic stress disorder. Many television commentators and reporters presented the public with stories about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and there was a drastic increase in the amount of awareness about the symptoms of this unique disorder and how Post Traumatic Stress Disorder can be treated.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, which usually develops within three months of the incident, presents itself with a range of symptoms from nightmares and flashbacks to anxiety attacks. In the most severe cases, PTSD can make it impossible for the sufferer to function in daily life.
In less extreme cases, a sufferer of PTSD may experience symptoms such as increased aggression, difficulty sleeping, or feelings of depression or isolation. Whether the case is debilitating or not, anyone who develops PTSD has been through a disturbing experience which triggered the disorder, and the ongoing symptoms of this anxiety disorder often make sufferers feel as though fate has added insult to injury.
Sufferers of PTSD continually re-experience the terror and the adrenaline rush that they experienced during the event. Often, people with this condition find that they cannot keep from replaying the images, sounds, or other elements of the trauma. These flashbacks can be triggered during the day or may appear during the night as dreams or nightmares. Treatment to reduce the frequency and intensity of these episodes often includes controlled and supervised desensitization that triggers images or smells from the event and, in some cases, pharmacotherapy or talk therapy. Often, support groups offer the most effective treatment for sufferers of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder since spending time in the company of people who are having similar symptoms can help combat the anxiety, aggression, and depression that often comes with this disorder.
