Definition
We hear people describing horrific situations, catastrophic events. What’s more, we can directly access such events via television, radio, newspapers and the Internet. Will we all be victims of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)? Fortunately, the answer is no. That is why it is important to truly understand what post-traumatic stress disorder is.
Health professionals have reached consensus on criteria that enable them to diagnose PTSD. First, the person must have been a victim of, or witness to, one or several events during which his/her physical integrity or that of someone else was truly or potentially threatened due to serious injury or the risk of injury or death.
Among the events that may create exceptional stress or trauma likely to cause a PTSD are: natural disasters (floods, tornados, earthquakes, etc.), serious accidents (plane, car, explosion, fire, etc.), and deliberately caused events (assault, rape, hostage-taking, war, etc.).
A PTSD may have serious effects on functioning and may affect several aspects of personal, family and social life. The need to avoid any threatening situation may put severe limitations on everyday and social activities. For example, imagine people who were victims or witnesses of a terrorist attack in the subway. At first, it is easy to imagine that they will avoid taking the subway, bus or any public transit, for fear of being put in an extremely dangerous situation again. Any noise that reminds them of an explosion (music, car horn, etc.) may trigger profound anxiety symptoms. They may therefore stop listening to the radio, watching TV, or change the TV channel or radio station every time there are images or sounds that recall the event. Family life may be affected and this may lead to major conflicts since other members of the family do not understand the behaviour or attitudes of the person suffering from PTSD.
Health professionals have reached consensus on criteria that enable them to diagnose PTSD. First, the person must have been a victim of, or witness to, one or several events during which his/her physical integrity or that of someone else was truly or potentially threatened due to serious injury or the risk of injury or death.
Among the events that may create exceptional stress or trauma likely to cause a PTSD are: natural disasters (floods, tornados, earthquakes, etc.), serious accidents (plane, car, explosion, fire, etc.), and deliberately caused events (assault, rape, hostage-taking, war, etc.).
A PTSD may have serious effects on functioning and may affect several aspects of personal, family and social life. The need to avoid any threatening situation may put severe limitations on everyday and social activities. For example, imagine people who were victims or witnesses of a terrorist attack in the subway. At first, it is easy to imagine that they will avoid taking the subway, bus or any public transit, for fear of being put in an extremely dangerous situation again. Any noise that reminds them of an explosion (music, car horn, etc.) may trigger profound anxiety symptoms. They may therefore stop listening to the radio, watching TV, or change the TV channel or radio station every time there are images or sounds that recall the event. Family life may be affected and this may lead to major conflicts since other members of the family do not understand the behaviour or attitudes of the person suffering from PTSD.