Post Traumatic Stress Essay Example

Post Traumatic Stress Free Essay

In their article, authors Javier Iribarren, Paolo Prolo, Negotia Neagos and Francesco Chiapell describe the problem of the post-traumatic stress disorder, explain the most important components of the mechanism of the disease, and discuss the treatment. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disease that arises on the ground of dramatic or risky experience. PTSD frequently affects people who were exposed to the negative emotional influence of such  events as terrorist attacks, natural disasters, crime or abuse. A state of shock that follows causes complex pathogenic changes in the systems of neural, endocrine and immune regulation.

Subjects with post-traumatic stress disorder often complain about worsening of the quality of social life. Their behavior often becomes uncontrolled: patients are moody, may become causelessly rude and aggressive. Patients also complain about nightmares. They often suffer from depression. Such behavioral changes are reflected in their daily life and may result in divorces and loss of job. Common physical signs include increased sweating, facial flushing or paleness, tremor and breathing disorders.

Post-traumatic stress disorder can be diagnosed in different ways. All methods can be subdivided into two major groups: some are used as part of comprehensive diagnostic techniques, while others are designed especially to identify PTSD.

Profound studies of the pathogenesis indicate that the nervous system is involved in the process. Impairment of the sympathetic and parasympathetic regulation causes insufficiency of hypothalamic function. It is followed by an increased release of glucocorticoid hormones that badly influences the immune system. Therefore, the affected organism is more sensitive to various diseases.

In the management of the post-traumatic stress disorder, different factors should be taken to account, such the main causal factor, patient’s sex and age. To achieve better results, it is recommended to combine psychotherapy with pharmacotherapy. Antidepressants like sertraline and fluoxetine are highly effective in reduction of stress symptoms. Paroxetine has been tested in numerous trials and may be an adequate alternative.

The post-traumatic stress disorder is a significant problem nowadays, when people’s lives become more tensed and cities become less safe. The number of victims of terrorists’ attacks and political conflicts rises. Although patients with PTSD do not always have physical injuries, their problems are not less dangerous. Victims of crime, abuse, veterans of war or witnesses of violent actions should be carefully examined by specialists, in order to identify the disorder on the very early stages and to prevent the development of symptoms.

Post-traumatic stress disorder is a serious social issue and cannot be underestimated. Severe stress that was not distinguished and treated in time will have deadly impact later in life. It slowly ruins personality and the individual stops functioning as a part of a society. Government spends millions of dollars on advanced pharmacological trials, and effective drugs have already been invented. However, together with appropriate medication, patients should also receive the appropriate dose of support and sympathy.

I found the information in the article very interesting and useful. In their work, authors not only describe the important issues concerning this problem, but also emphasise that more efforts  should be made to resolve it. Reading such articles broaden one’s mind and provides with much material for thinking.