PSY303 WEEK 5 FINAL PAPER
Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD)
What is Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome?
By
Freddy B. Jerez
PSY303: Abnormal Psychology
Instructor: Emily Meier
July 6, 2013
What is Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome?
Introduction:
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a complex and serious syndrome that existed long before the Vietnam War. With emotional symptoms, psychiatric symptoms and physical consequences that, not until 1980 when the newly published DSM–III gave the disorder a name, was PTSD formally identified as a diagnosable condition. The DSM–III defined PTSD as an extreme anxiety response to traumatic, life-threatening events that were not in the normal range of human experience as experienced and complained by the Vietnam veterans. By giving Vietnam veterans' symptoms a name, and a recognized mental condition, the DSM–III legitimized the veterans' (and others who experience extreme trauma) claims for help. Scott-Tilley, Tilton, Sandel, and Mark, (2010), (Gertzfeld, & Schwartz, 2012) For this paper I will present a thorough overview of Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in straightforward laymen language.
Etiology of PTSD and the main symptoms:
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder. It usually occurs after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic life-threatening event or perceived to be a likely cause of serious injury to themselves or others. Young people react with symptoms such as intense fear, helplessness and nightmares, with the affects usually lasting a few days or weeks as the threat is removed. Some young people respond positively and learn new coping skills, however other young people continue to have acute symptoms for months after the event. (Chowdhury, Uttom; Pancha, Amit, 2011)
Although early experiences and interest centered on combat soldiers, it has now become clear that female victims of intimate partner violence (IPV) also...