Hca 240 - Ptsd - Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

HCA 240

What is post-traumatic stress disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety illness that may come after dealing with a stressful or traumatic event. The person suffering from this event usually has experienced or witnessed a stressful event such as physical or sexual abuse, terrorist incidents, natural disasters, or military combat. People who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder may be able to survive the trauma without seeking medical help. However, while some symptoms may go away for by themselves, others may need to seek medical attention as their symptoms may worsen.

What are the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder

There are three different kinds of symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. The first kind of symptom involves being reminded of the traumatic event and becoming angry or upset. When someone who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder is confronted about the event or just thinks about it while trying to complete a task, they tend to become upset. This symptom is known as re-experiencing symptoms. When people who suffer from this symptom, they are usually reliving the event. Whether it is an automobile accident, military combat, or sexual assault, these memories can be traumatic. When these memories are relived, it is like being in the situation again and it is real. The memories can seem to be so real that people tend to have flashbacks. These flashbacks give the person who suffers from PSTD the feelings of hopelessness, fear, and or horror. The second kind of symptoms involves a person who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder to become anti-social. He or she may not want to be reminded or think about the event, let alone go around others or places that becomes as a reminder to them. This kind of symptom is known as avoidance and numbness symptoms. People who suffer from this kind of symptom usually find it hard to express their emotions to others. Feeling numb becomes his or her way of forgetting or just not talking about the event. He or she may simply avoid things that trigger the traumatic event such as people, sights, sounds, or smells. The third set of symptoms involves a person becoming easily startled at the slightest sound. This person will be caught off guard by a noise such as a horn, a door bell, or a book that may fall on the floor. This kind of symptom is known as arousal symptoms. People who suffer from this symptom are angry, irritable, and have a difficult time concentrating. He or she may even find it difficult to sleep because they are always on guard. This third set of symptoms often complies with people who have been in the military.

Identify the neurotransmitters associated with post-traumatic stress disorder and how they are related to the signs and symptoms

The neurotransmitters that are affected with post-traumatic stress disorder include dopamine, norephinephrine, and Gamma amino butyric acid (GABA). Some of the most common neurotransmitters are excitatory and inhibitory. The excitatory neurotransmitter is one that helps communicate a nerve impulse. The inhibitory neurotransmitter is one that hinders communication of a nerve impulse. One of the most common excitatory neurotransmitters is known as acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is an excitatory neurotransmitter that helps transmit impulses between the motor neurons that help control muscles. A common inhibitory neurotransmitter is known as dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that inhibits nerve impulses in motor neurons. In balancing levels of neurotransmitters, it can have harmful effects. Some of the effects of in balancing could result in psychological and mental illness. Acetylcholine and dopamine is essential to control voluntary movement. Dopamine and norephinephrine are related to the signs of post-traumatic stress disorder their regulatory action. The regulatory actions of people who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder include mood behavior, thought process, anxiety, arousal, and memory.

How is post-traumatic stress disorder diagnosed

When being tested for post-traumatic stress disorder, professionals or clinicians will conduct several interviews. The purpose of these interviews is to get an accurate family background of mental illness and to see what the patient may be going through or have gone through recently. While testing for post-traumatic stress disorder, the clinician will ask many questions during the interview to rule out other disorders that the patient may have dealt with in the past or current. Besides conducting several interviews for accurate information, the clinician may also require that the patient consult with a doctor and get a physical