Description
PTSD occurs in people that have experienced or witnessed extremely distressing events such as natural disasters, murder, rape, war, imprisonment, torture, and accidents. Rather than recovering from the event patients frequently re-experience or re-live the trauma and associated symptoms. The symptoms may begin right after the event or may develop months or years later. The recurrence of symptoms can be very debilitating.
Symptoms
Flashback episodes, recurrent distressing memories of the event, repeated dreams of the event, physical reactions to situations that remind one of the traumatic event, feelings of detachment, inability to remember important aspects of the trauma, lack of interest in normal activities, staying away from places or people, difficulty concentrating, exaggerated response to being startled, excess awareness (hyper vigilance), irritability or outbursts of anger, sleeping difficulties.
Tests
Common tests used for diagnosis and treatment
Workup:
A history and physical exam will be performed. The diagnosis is established with the history of the symptoms and previous life events.
Specialists:
Internal Medicine, Psychiatry, Pediatrics, Family Practice, Pediatric and Adolescent Psychiatry
Workup:
A history and physical exam will be performed. The diagnosis is established with the history of the symptoms and previous life events.
Specialists:
Internal Medicine, Psychiatry, Pediatrics, Family Practice, Pediatric and Adolescent Psychiatry
Treatment
Conditions such as substance abuse or depression may need to be treated before directly treating the symptoms of PTSD. Behavioral therapy is used to help control symptoms. Medical therapy may include antidepressants (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) and antianxiety medications.