PTSD Contact hotline
what is p.T.S.D. ?
Home
What is PTSD?
Publications
PTSD Services in Nebraska
PTSD Self
Test
Helpful Information
» Brain Injury Association» Employer Support
» Give an
Hour» Military One
Source» Nat'l Center for PTSD» NHHS - Behavioral
Health» NE Dept of Veterans' Affairs» NE Nat'l Guard Family» NE TBI
Grants» US Dept of Veterans' Affairs»
Governor's Office
What is PTSD (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder)?
PTSD, or Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, is a psychiatric disorder that can
occur following the experience or witnessing of a life-threatening events such
as military combat, natural disasters, terrorist incidents, serious accidents,
or physical or sexual assault in adult or childhood. Most survivors of trauma
return to normal given a little time. However, some people will have stress
reactions that do not go away on their own, or may even get worse over time.
These individuals may develop PTSD. People who suffer from PTSD often relive
the experience through nightmares and flashbacks, have difficulty sleeping, and
feel detached or estranged, and these symptoms can be severe enough and last
long enough to significantly impair the person’s daily life.
People with PTSD experience three different kinds of symptoms. The first set
of symptoms involves reliving the trauma in some way such as becoming upset when
confronted with a traumatic reminder or thinking about the trauma when you are
trying to do something else. The second set of symptoms involves either staying
away from places or people that remind you of the trauma, isolating from other
people, or feeling numb. The third set of symptoms includes things such as
feeling on guard, irritable, or startling easily.
PTSD is marked by clear biological changes as well as psychological symptoms.
PTSD is complicated by the fact that people with PTSD often may develop
additional disorders such as depression, substance abuse, problems of memory and
cognition, and other problems of physical and mental health. The disorder is
also associated with impairment of the person’s ability to function in social or
family life, including occupational instability, marital problems and divorces,
family discord, and difficulties in parenting.
PTSD can be treated with psychotherapy (‘talk’ therapy) and medicines such as
antidepressants. Early treatment is important and may help reduce long-term
symptoms. Unfortunately, many people do not know that they have PTSD or do not
seek treatment. This fact sheet will help you to better understand PTSD and the
how it can be treated.
What are the symptoms of PTSD?
Although PTSD symptoms can begin right after a traumatic event, PTSD is not
diagnosed unless the symptoms last for at least one month, and either cause
significant distress or interfere with work or home life. In order to be
diagnosed with PTSD, a person must have three different types of symptoms:
re-experiencing symptoms, avoidance and numbing symptoms, and arousal
symptoms.
Re-experiencing Symptoms
Re-experiencing symptoms are symptoms that involve reliving the traumatic
event. There are a number of ways in which people may relive a trauma. They
may have upsetting memories of the traumatic event. These memories can come
back when they are not expecting them. At other times the memories may be
triggered by a traumatic reminder such as when a combat veteran hears a car
backfire, a motor vehicle accident victim drives by a car accident or a rape
victim sees a news report of a recent sexual assault. These memories can cause
both emotional and physical reactions. Sometimes these memories can feel so
real it is as if the event is actually happening again. This is called a
"flashback." Reliving the event may cause intense feelings of fear,
helplessness, and horror similar to the feelings they had when the event took
place.
Avoidance and Numbing Symptoms
Avoidance symptoms are efforts people make to avoid the traumatic event.
Individuals with PTSD may try to avoid situations that trigger memories of the
traumatic event. They may avoid going near places where the trauma occurred or
seeing TV programs or news reports about similar events. They may avoid other
sights, sounds, smells, or people that are reminders of the traumatic event.
Some people find that they try to distract themselves as one way to avoid
thinking about the traumatic event.
Numbing symptoms are another way to avoid the traumatic event. Individuals
with PTSD may find it difficult to be in touch with their feelings or express
emotions toward other people. For example, they may feel emotionally "numb" and
may isolate from others. They may be less interested in activities you once
enjoyed. Some people forget, or are unable to talk about, important parts of
the event. Some think that they will have a shortened life span or will not
reach personal goals such as having a career or family.
Arousal Symptoms
People with PTSD may feel constantly alert after the traumatic event. This
is known as increased emotional arousal, and it can cause difficulty sleeping,
outbursts of anger or irritability, and difficulty concentrating. They may find
that they are constantly ‘on guard’ and on the lookout for signs of danger.
They may also find that they get startled.
What other problems do people with PTSD experience?
It is very common for other conditions to occur along with PTSD, such as
depression, anxiety, or substance abuse. More than half of men with PTSD also
have problems with alcohol. The next most common co-occurring problems in men
are depression, followed by conduct disorder, and then problems with drugs. In
women, the most common co-occurring problem is depression. Just under half of
women with PTSD also experience depression. The next most common co-occurring
problems in women are specific fears, social anxiety, and then problems with
alcohol.
People with PTSD often have problems functioning. In general, people with
PTSD have more unemployment, divorce or separation, spouse abuse and chance of
being fired than people without PTSD. Vietnam veterans with PTSD were found to
have many problems with family and other interpersonal relationships, problems
with employment, and increased incidents of violence.
People with PTSD also may experience a wide variety of physical symptoms.
This is a common occurrence in people who have depression and other anxiety
disorders. Some evidence suggests that PTSD may be associated with increased
likelihood of developing medical disorders. Research is ongoing, and it is too
soon to draw firm conclusions about which disorders are associated with
PTSD.
How common is PTSD?
An estimated 7.8 percent of Americans will experience PTSD at some point in
their lives, with women (10.4%) twice as likely as men (5%) to develop PTSD.
About 3.6 percent of U.S. adults aged 18 to 54 (5.2 million people) have PTSD
during the course of a given year. This represents a small portion of those who
have experienced at least one traumatic event; 60.7% of men and 51.2% of women
reported at least one traumatic event. The traumatic events most often
associated with PTSD for men are rape, combat exposure, childhood neglect, and
childhood physical abuse. The most traumatic events for women are rape, sexual
molestation, physical attack, being threatened with a weapon, and childhood
physical abuse.
About 30 percent of the men and women who have spent time in war zones
experience PTSD. An additional 20 to 25 percent have had partial PTSD at some
point in their lives. More than half of all male Vietnam veterans and almost
half of all female Vietnam veterans have experienced “clinically serious stress
reaction symptoms.” PTSD has also been detected among veterans of other wars.
Estimates of PTSD from the Gulf War are as high as 10%. Estimates from the war
in Afghanistan are between 6 and 11%. Current estimates of PTSD in military
personnel who served in Iraq range from 12%.
© 2007 Nebraska Department of Veterans' Affairs
301
Centennial Mall South, 6th Floor
Lincoln, NE
68509-5083
What is PTSD?
Publications
PTSD Services in Nebraska
PTSD Self
Test
Helpful Information
» Brain Injury Association» Employer Support
» Give an
Hour» Military One
Source» Nat'l Center for PTSD» NHHS - Behavioral
Health» NE Dept of Veterans' Affairs» NE Nat'l Guard Family» NE TBI
Grants» US Dept of Veterans' Affairs»
Governor's Office
What is PTSD (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder)?
PTSD, or Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, is a psychiatric disorder that can
occur following the experience or witnessing of a life-threatening events such
as military combat, natural disasters, terrorist incidents, serious accidents,
or physical or sexual assault in adult or childhood. Most survivors of trauma
return to normal given a little time. However, some people will have stress
reactions that do not go away on their own, or may even get worse over time.
These individuals may develop PTSD. People who suffer from PTSD often relive
the experience through nightmares and flashbacks, have difficulty sleeping, and
feel detached or estranged, and these symptoms can be severe enough and last
long enough to significantly impair the person’s daily life.
People with PTSD experience three different kinds of symptoms. The first set
of symptoms involves reliving the trauma in some way such as becoming upset when
confronted with a traumatic reminder or thinking about the trauma when you are
trying to do something else. The second set of symptoms involves either staying
away from places or people that remind you of the trauma, isolating from other
people, or feeling numb. The third set of symptoms includes things such as
feeling on guard, irritable, or startling easily.
PTSD is marked by clear biological changes as well as psychological symptoms.
PTSD is complicated by the fact that people with PTSD often may develop
additional disorders such as depression, substance abuse, problems of memory and
cognition, and other problems of physical and mental health. The disorder is
also associated with impairment of the person’s ability to function in social or
family life, including occupational instability, marital problems and divorces,
family discord, and difficulties in parenting.
PTSD can be treated with psychotherapy (‘talk’ therapy) and medicines such as
antidepressants. Early treatment is important and may help reduce long-term
symptoms. Unfortunately, many people do not know that they have PTSD or do not
seek treatment. This fact sheet will help you to better understand PTSD and the
how it can be treated.
What are the symptoms of PTSD?
Although PTSD symptoms can begin right after a traumatic event, PTSD is not
diagnosed unless the symptoms last for at least one month, and either cause
significant distress or interfere with work or home life. In order to be
diagnosed with PTSD, a person must have three different types of symptoms:
re-experiencing symptoms, avoidance and numbing symptoms, and arousal
symptoms.
Re-experiencing Symptoms
Re-experiencing symptoms are symptoms that involve reliving the traumatic
event. There are a number of ways in which people may relive a trauma. They
may have upsetting memories of the traumatic event. These memories can come
back when they are not expecting them. At other times the memories may be
triggered by a traumatic reminder such as when a combat veteran hears a car
backfire, a motor vehicle accident victim drives by a car accident or a rape
victim sees a news report of a recent sexual assault. These memories can cause
both emotional and physical reactions. Sometimes these memories can feel so
real it is as if the event is actually happening again. This is called a
"flashback." Reliving the event may cause intense feelings of fear,
helplessness, and horror similar to the feelings they had when the event took
place.
Avoidance and Numbing Symptoms
Avoidance symptoms are efforts people make to avoid the traumatic event.
Individuals with PTSD may try to avoid situations that trigger memories of the
traumatic event. They may avoid going near places where the trauma occurred or
seeing TV programs or news reports about similar events. They may avoid other
sights, sounds, smells, or people that are reminders of the traumatic event.
Some people find that they try to distract themselves as one way to avoid
thinking about the traumatic event.
Numbing symptoms are another way to avoid the traumatic event. Individuals
with PTSD may find it difficult to be in touch with their feelings or express
emotions toward other people. For example, they may feel emotionally "numb" and
may isolate from others. They may be less interested in activities you once
enjoyed. Some people forget, or are unable to talk about, important parts of
the event. Some think that they will have a shortened life span or will not
reach personal goals such as having a career or family.
Arousal Symptoms
People with PTSD may feel constantly alert after the traumatic event. This
is known as increased emotional arousal, and it can cause difficulty sleeping,
outbursts of anger or irritability, and difficulty concentrating. They may find
that they are constantly ‘on guard’ and on the lookout for signs of danger.
They may also find that they get startled.
What other problems do people with PTSD experience?
It is very common for other conditions to occur along with PTSD, such as
depression, anxiety, or substance abuse. More than half of men with PTSD also
have problems with alcohol. The next most common co-occurring problems in men
are depression, followed by conduct disorder, and then problems with drugs. In
women, the most common co-occurring problem is depression. Just under half of
women with PTSD also experience depression. The next most common co-occurring
problems in women are specific fears, social anxiety, and then problems with
alcohol.
People with PTSD often have problems functioning. In general, people with
PTSD have more unemployment, divorce or separation, spouse abuse and chance of
being fired than people without PTSD. Vietnam veterans with PTSD were found to
have many problems with family and other interpersonal relationships, problems
with employment, and increased incidents of violence.
People with PTSD also may experience a wide variety of physical symptoms.
This is a common occurrence in people who have depression and other anxiety
disorders. Some evidence suggests that PTSD may be associated with increased
likelihood of developing medical disorders. Research is ongoing, and it is too
soon to draw firm conclusions about which disorders are associated with
PTSD.
How common is PTSD?
An estimated 7.8 percent of Americans will experience PTSD at some point in
their lives, with women (10.4%) twice as likely as men (5%) to develop PTSD.
About 3.6 percent of U.S. adults aged 18 to 54 (5.2 million people) have PTSD
during the course of a given year. This represents a small portion of those who
have experienced at least one traumatic event; 60.7% of men and 51.2% of women
reported at least one traumatic event. The traumatic events most often
associated with PTSD for men are rape, combat exposure, childhood neglect, and
childhood physical abuse. The most traumatic events for women are rape, sexual
molestation, physical attack, being threatened with a weapon, and childhood
physical abuse.
About 30 percent of the men and women who have spent time in war zones
experience PTSD. An additional 20 to 25 percent have had partial PTSD at some
point in their lives. More than half of all male Vietnam veterans and almost
half of all female Vietnam veterans have experienced “clinically serious stress
reaction symptoms.” PTSD has also been detected among veterans of other wars.
Estimates of PTSD from the Gulf War are as high as 10%. Estimates from the war
in Afghanistan are between 6 and 11%. Current estimates of PTSD in military
personnel who served in Iraq range from 12%.
© 2007 Nebraska Department of Veterans' Affairs
301
Centennial Mall South, 6th Floor
Lincoln, NE
68509-5083
helping a family member who has ptsd
Choose When
someone has PTSD, it can change family life. The person with PTSD may act
differently and get angry easily. He or she may not want to do things you used
to enjoy together.
You may feel scared and frustrated about the changes you see in your loved
one. You also may feel angry about what's happening to your family, or wonder if
things will ever go back to the way they were. These feelings and worries are
common in people who have a family member with PTSD.
It is important to learn about PTSD so you can see how it happened, and
how it is treated, and what you can do to help. But you also need to take care
of yourself. Changes in family life are stressful, and taking care of yourself
will make it easier to cope.
How can I help?
You may feel helpless, but there are many things you can do. Nobody expects
you to have all the answers.
Here are ways you can help:
- Learn as much as you can about PTSD. Knowing how PTSD affects people may
help you understand what your family member is going through. The more you know,
the better you and your family can handle PTSD. - Offer to go to doctor visits with your family member. You can help keep
track of medicine and therapy, and you can be there for support. - Tell your loved one you want to listen and that you also understand if he or
she doesn't feel like talking. - Plan family activities together, like having dinner or going to a
movie. - Take a walk, go for a bike ride, or do some other physical activity
together. Exercise is important for health and helps clear your mind. - Encourage contact with family and close friends. A support system will help
your family member get through difficult changes and stressful times.
Your family member may not want your help. If this happens, keep in mind that
withdrawal can be a symptom of PTSD. A person who withdraws may not feel like
talking, taking part in group activities, or being around other people. Give
your loved one space, but tell him or her that you will always be ready to
help.
How can I deal with anger or violent behavior?
Your family member may feel angry about many things. Anger is a normal
reaction to trauma, but it can hurt relationships and make it hard to think
clearly. Anger also can be frightening.
If anger leads to violent behavior or abuse, it's dangerous. Go to a safe
place and call for help right away. Make sure children are in a safe place as
well.
It's hard to talk to someone who is angry. One thing you can do is set up a
time-out system. This helps you find a way to talk even while angry. Here's one
way to do this.
- Agree that either of you can call a time-out at any time.
- Agree that when someone calls a time-out, the discussion must stop right
then. - Decide on a signal you will use to call a time-out. The signal can be a word
that you say or a hand signal. - Agree to tell each other where you will be and what you will be doing during
the time-out. Tell each other what time you will come back.
While you are taking a time-out, don't focus on how angry you feel. Instead,
think calmly about how you will talk things over and solve the problem.
After you come back
- Take turns talking about solutions to the problem. Listen without
interrupting. - Use statements starting with "I," such as "I think" or "I feel." Using
"you" statements can sound accusing. - Be open to each other's ideas. Don't criticize each other.
- Focus on things you both think will work. It's likely you will both have
good ideas. - Together, agree which solutions you will use.
How can I communicate better?
You and your family may have trouble talking about feelings, worries, and
everyday problems. Here are some ways to communicate better:
- Be clear and to the point.
- Be positive. Blame and negative talk won't help the situation.
- Be a good listener. Don't argue or interrupt. Repeat what you hear to make
sure you understand, and ask questions if you need to know more. - Put your feelings into words. Your loved one may not know you are sad or
frustrated unless you are clear about your feelings. - Help your family member put feelings into words. Ask, "Are you feeling
angry? Sad? Worried?" - Ask how you can help.
- Don't give advice unless you are asked.
If your family is having a lot of trouble talking things over, consider
trying family therapy. Family therapy is a type of counseling that involves your
whole family. A therapist helps you and your family communicate, maintain good
relationships, and cope with tough emotions.
During therapy, each person can talk about how a problem is affecting the
family. Family therapy can help family members understand and cope with
PTSD.
Your health professional or a religious or social services organization can
help you find a family therapist who specializes in PTSD.
How can I take care of myself?
Helping a person with PTSD can be hard on you. You may have your own feelings
of fear and anger about the trauma. You may feel guilty because you wish your
family member would just forget his or her problems and get on with life. You
may feel confused or frustrated because your loved one has changed, and you may
worry that your family life will never get back to normal.
All of this can drain you. It can affect your health and make it hard for you
to help your loved one. If you're not careful, you may get sick yourself, become
depressed, or burn out and stop helping your loved one.
To help yourself, you need to take care of yourself and have other people
help you.
Care for yourself
- Don't feel guilty or feel that you have to know it all. Remind yourself that
nobody has all the answers. It's normal to feel helpless at times. - Don't feel bad if things change slowly. You cannot change anyone. People
have to change themselves. - Take care of your physical and mental health. If you feel yourself getting
sick or often feel sad and hopeless, see your doctor. - Don't give up your outside life. Make time for activities and hobbies you
enjoy. Continue to see your friends. - Take time to be by yourself. Find a quiet place to gather your thoughts and
"recharge." - Get regular exercise, even just a few minutes a day. Exercise is a healthy
way to deal with stress. - Eat healthy foods. When you are busy, it may seem easier to eat fast food
than to prepare healthy meals. But healthy foods will give you more energy to
carry you through the day. - Remember the good things. It's easy to get weighed down by worry and
stress. But don't forget to see and celebrate the good things that happen to you
and your family.
Get help
During difficult times, it is important to have people in your life who you
can depend on. These people are your support network. They can help you with
everyday jobs, like taking a child to school, or by giving you love and
understanding.
You may get support from:
- Family members.
- Friends, coworkers, and neighbors.
- Members of your religious or spiritual group.
- Support groups.
- Doctors and other health professionals