PTSD Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Chat Support Group
Understanding PTSD
PTSD or Post traumatic stress disorder is marked by clear biological changes
as well as psychological symptoms. PTSD is complicated by the fact that it frequently
occurs in conjunction with related disorders such as depression, substance abuse,
problems of memory and cognition, and other problems of physical and mental
health. The disorder is also associated with impairment of the person's ability
to function in social or family life, including occupational instability, marital
problems and divorces, family discord, and difficulties in parenting.
PTSD or Post traumatic stress disorder, is not a new disorder. There are written
accounts of similar symptoms that go back to ancient times, and there is clear
documentation in the historical medical literature starting with the Civil War,
where a PTSD-like disorder was known as "Da Costa's Syndrome." There
are particularly good descriptions of post-traumatic stress symptoms in the
medical literature on combat veterans of World War II and on Holocaust survivors.
Careful research and documentation of PTSD or Post traumatic stress disorder
began in earnest after the Vietnam War. The National Vietnam Veterans Study
estimated in 1988 that the prevalence of PTSD in that group was 15.2% at that
time, and that 30% had experienced the disorder at some point since returning
from Vietnam.
PTSD or Post traumatic stress disorder, has subsequently been observed in all
veteran populations that have been studied, including World War II, Korean conflict,
and Persian Gulf, and in United Nations peacekeeping forces deployed to other
war zones around the world. PTSD also appears in military veterans in other
countries with remarkably similar findings that is, Australian Vietnam veterans
experience much the same symptoms as American Vietnam veterans.
PTSD or Post traumatic stress disorder is not only a problem for veterans,
however. Although there are unique cultural- and gender-based
aspects to the disorder, it occurs in both men and women, adults
and children, Western and non-Western cultural groups, and all
socioeconomic strata. A national study of American civilians conducted
in 1995 estimated that the lifetime prevalence of PTSD was 5%
in men and 10% in women.
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