What are the symptoms of PTSD

POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER WHAT IS PTSD? 8% of Americans suffer from PTSD at some point in their lives 5.2 million adults suffer from PTSD every year throughout the world Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that develops in a person following exposure to a violent traumatic event 20-30% is the estimated 70% of the people who are victims of a traumatic event develop PTSD lifetime occurrence of PTSD in combat veterans WHAT IS A TRAUMATIC EVENT? WAR AND PTSD About 30% of Vietnam War veterans experience PTSD WAR PHYSICAL ASSAULT About 20% of Iraq War veterans experience PTSD NATURAL DISASTER CHILD ABUSE About 12% of Afghanistan War veterans experience PTSD ACCIDENT SEXUAL ASSAULT SYMPTOMS OF PTSD HOW IS PTSD TREATED? Cognitive behavioral therapy - This therapy involves carefully and gradually exposing the patients to thoughts that remind them of the trauma and then helping them overcome it. DEPRESSION FLASHBACKS GUILT HALLUCINATIONS Family therapy - Since PTSD affects the family of patients too, this therapy helps in mending relationship of patients with their families and helps them communicate with their families. ANGER INSOMNIA Medication - Antidepressants such as Zoloft and Prozac are the most common medicines given to patients to relieve symptoms of PTSD such as depression and anxiety. MEMORY LOSS DRUG USE