Psychology

Review on Post Traumatic Stress Dis

Abstract : Research on post traumatic stress dis (PTSD ) has been notable for controversy as well as progress . This article concerns the issues in the field of dreaded PTSD , broadening of the definition of trauma , use of cognitive behaviour therapy to treat the dis efficacy and limitations of cognitive behaviour therapy and further research in PTSD

Posttraumatic stress dis

Introduction : Stress plays the spoiler in our emotional lives . Each stressful experience reminds us that our world is not altogether stable and that , no matter how

well we fortify our defences , the unexpected even the unthinkable , can happen (Alex J . Zautra ,pg :35 . The concept of trauma-related emotional disturbance has existed for over a century having names such as shell shock , war neurosis , and rape trauma syndrome . However , its official categorisation in the diagnostic nomenclature as posttraumatic stress dis (PTSD ) is quite recent . It was first introduced in the third edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Diss (DSM-III , American Psychiatric Association 1980 (Foa Meadows , Pg- 449

Posttraumatic stress dis (PTSD ) involves impaired functioning following exposure to an event that is outside the range of usual human experiences and that would be disturbing to nearly everyone (Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Diss-Revised DSM-III-R , 1987 . PTSD has most often been studied in soldiers , but clearly many types of natural and civilian catastrophes , criminal assaults , rape , terrorist attacks , and accidents may precipitate it (Carlson Rosser-Hogan 1991 Foa , Rothbaum , Riggs Murdock , 1991 . Marital problems stemming from loss of emotion and intimacy or physical aggression have also been associated with PTSD (Carroll , Rueger , Foy Donahoe , 1985 . Stress may vary in individuals from different cultures exposed to different types of war trauma ( Escobar et al , 1983 . Combat exposure , its duration , witnessing the death of comrades , and participating in atrocities were the most frequent factors cause PTSD ( Atkinson , Sparr Sheff , White Fitzsimmons , 1984 (Murray Pg :316

PTSD is rarely seen as a separate psychiatric entity . The DSM-III defined PTSD as a syndrome erupting in response to a "stressor that would evoke significant symptoms of distress in almost everyone (APA 1980 ,

. 238 . The diagnosis comprised three symptom clusters . The re-experiencing cluster included recurrent intrusive thoughts about the trauma , traumatic nightmares , and "flashbacks " The numbing cluster included feelings of detachment from others , loss of interest in activities , and constricted affect . The third cluster included miscellaneous symptoms such as exaggerated startle , sleep disturbance and memory impairment . Regardless of whatever symptoms may be present unless a person has been exposed to a qualifying stressor , the diagnosis cannot be made . The architects of DSM-III had in mind events such as combat , rape , and earthquakes as the kind of event capable of causing the dis . However , DSM-IV defines traumatic exposure as "the person experienced , witnessed , or was confronted with an event or events that involved actual or threatened death or serious injury , or a threat to the physical integrity of self or others " and which evoked "intense fear , helplessness , or horror (APA 1994 , pp . 427-28...