Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is often the result of Accidents, death or Senseless Acts of Violence

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder is a extreme response to a stressful change in life that may result from an accident, death or senseless act of violence. Victims often fail in their attempts to avoid remembering the event, and consequently, they suffer a persistent state of anxiety, and may re-experience the traumatic event while awake through flashbacks or asleep in the form of nightmares. Crisis intervention is usually necessary in the form of an extended period of individual, group or family therapy. Treatment with anxiety reducing drugs may also be needed.

Experiences that threaten death or serious injury can often affect victims many years after the experience has ended. These events can be a death, a serious injury or even witnessing violence against another person. If such a condition persists for more than 3 months, it is considered chronic.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) affects at least 8% of people at some time during their life. Many people who undergo or witness traumatic events such as victims of rape or other violent acts, experience posttraumatic stress disorder.

Later, intense distress often occurs when the person is exposed to an event or situation that reminds them of the original trauma. Anniveraries of the events such as seeing a gun after being shot or even just being on a boat after a near drowning can trigger these events. Victims may avoid things that are such reminders, or they may attempt to avoid thoughts, feelings, or conversations about the trauma and avoid activities, situations or people who serve as reminders. Avoidance may also include memory loss, numbing of emotional responsiveness and symptoms of increased arousal. Depression is also very common along with feelings of guilt.

Treatment of PTSD involves psychotherapy and drug therapy. Because of intense anxiety, supportive psychotherapy also plays an especially important part of treatment. Chronic posttraumatic stress disorder may not disappear but often becomes less intense over time especially with treatment. Nevertheless, some people remain severely handicapped by the disorder for long periods of time.

Name:

Phone:

Email:

What is your question?

The Monahan Law Practice
300 North Pottstown Pike
Suite 210
Exton, PA 19341-2233

Phone: (610) 363-3888
Fax: (610) 363-2429