35 24TH ANNUAL CRIME PREVENTION GUIDE ► Summary: Post-traumatic stress Disorder (PtsD) is an anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to traumatic events where one was exposed to or witnessed danger, such as with violence or disasters. Introduction It's natural to be afraid and upset when something terrible happens to you or someone you know. But sometimes people experience an event that is so overwhelming that it continues to have a serious effect on them, long after the danger has passed. If you feel afraid and upset weeks or months later, it's time to talk with your doctor. You might have posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Fortunately, even if you have PTSD, you can get treatment and feel better. What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)? Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to traumatic events where one was exposed to or witnessed danger, such as with violence or disasters. It can happen to those who are physically hurt. It can also happen even if you weren't physically hurt, simply through witnessing others being traumatized. Who Gets PTSD? PTSD can happen to anyone at any age. When does PTSD start? PTSD starts at different times for different people. Signs of PTSD may start soon after a frightening event and then continue. Other people develop new or more severe signs months or even years later. What Causes PTSD? Living through or seeing something that's upsetting and dangerous can cause PTSD. This can include: • Being a victim of violence, or seeing violence • War or combat • Car accidents and plane crashes • Hurricanes, tornadoes, and fires • Violent crimes, like a robbery or shooting. • The death or serious illness of a loved one Strong emotions caused by the event create changes in the brain that may result in PTSD. Signs and Symptoms of PTSD People with PTSD have persistent frightening thoughts and memories of their ordeal and feel emotionally numb, especially with people they were once close to. They may experience sleep problems, feel detached or numb, or be easily startled. Symptoms of PTSD can be terrifying. They may disrupt your life and make it hard to continue with your daily activities. It may be hard just to get through the day. PTSD symptoms usually start soon after the traumatic event, but they may not happen until months or years later. They also may come and go over many years. If the symptoms last longer than 4 weeks, cause you great distress, or interfere with your work or home life, you probably have PTSD. There are four types of symptoms: reliving the event, avoidance, numbing, and feeling keyed up. 1. Reliving the event (also called re-experiencing symptoms): Bad memories of the traumatic event can come back at any time. You may feel the same POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD) (ALL AGES)
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