$Unique_ID{BRK00143}
$Pretitle{Mental and Emotional Conditions}
$Title{How Do You Know If You Have Post-Traumatic Stress?}
$Subject{post-trauma stress}
$Volume{E-23}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


How Do You Know If You Have Post-Traumatic Stress?


------------------------------------------------------------------------------

QUESTION:  How do you know if you have post-traumatic stress?

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ANSWER:  We all have various sorts and levels of stress in our lives, but
occasionally, some people experience a stressful event that is beyond the
range of normal human experience.  Such events include auto or industrial
accidents, violent crimes, child abuse, or disasters.  These types of events
would be distressing to anyone who experienced or witnessed them and many
people react by showing signs of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).  In
many cases, soldiers, police, fire fighters, and rescue workers suffer PTSD
because of experiences they undergo in their jobs.
     Not everyone who experiences PTSD shows all the same symptoms, but common
ones include recurrent recollections of the incident, nightmares, distress at
reminders of the events (such as an anniversary), headaches, sleeplessness,
drug or alcohol abuse, diminished interest in normal activities, difficulty
concentrating, and physical reactions to reminders of the event (such as
breaking out in sweat in a car after a care accident).
     The best clue to diagnosing PTSD is that the symptoms came on after a
specific traumatic event.  Treating the disorder is a matter of stabilizing
the patient, that is, treating such surface problems as headaches,
sleeplessness, and drug or alcohol abuse.  Patients should then receive mental
health counselling, either from their family physician or from a psychiatrist
or psychologist.  The patient should be encouraged to return to normal
activities as soon as possible.  A word of hope to you personally, the
situation can be licked, with some courage and effort.
ÿ
----------------

The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
