Traumatic Events

• What is a traumatic event?
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Signs and symptoms of PTSD
• When symptoms appear
• Some interventions
• University of Adelaide programs

The information below is intended to provide some information to staff on the topics of traumatic events, post traumatic stress disorder, and some associated disorders. It is delivered in layman's terms and not intended to be a comprehensive analysis of these topics. Thanks to various Internet websites and other sources, for this information.

What is a traumatic event?

A traumatic event is an event that a person may experience, see, or learn about that causes intense fear, helplessness, and horror.

The event may involve actual or threatened death or serious injury, or threats of harm to oneself or to others.

For example, a person may be:

• Hurt or traumatized by a natural disaster, such as a bushfire or flood
• Physically attacked, as in cases of mugging or rape
• Injured in a serious journey accident
• Informed of the sudden, unexpected death of a relative, friend or colleague.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

In some people, an extreme traumatic event may lead to a condition known as post traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. The condition may also be known as critical incident stress.

Some examples of situations that may be associated with PTSD include:

• A woman who survived a terrible car accident 3 years ago hears an ambulance siren in the distance. She shakes uncontrollably, her heart starts pounding rapidly, and her palms sweat.
• A man who was mugged and severely beaten on a darkened street is "extremely jumpy" and avoids leaving his home, especially at night.
• Two years have passed since a woman lost her home and everything in it during a flash flood. But she still has nightmares about floods, and she has severe problems falling asleep and staying asleep whenever overnight rain is in the weather forecast.

In the past, it was believed that only soldiers or other people who had been in a war could get PTSD. The condition was commonly called "combat fatigue" or "shell shock". But, based on new research, healthcare professionals are learning that all kinds of people can have traumatic experiences that can lead to PTSD.

Most people who experience an extreme traumatic event will not develop PTSD. The good news is that, in many cases, PTSD can be treated successfully.

Signs and Symptoms of PTSD

A person who has experienced an extreme trauma may be diagnosed with PTSD if he or she has a certain number of symptoms from each of three symptom groups: re-experiencing, avoidance/numbing, and hyperarousal. These symptoms must last for more than 1 month and must cause severe problems or distress in personal life, work life, or other important areas of daily living.

Re-experiencing - one or more of the following:

• Frequent, sudden, and upsetting memories about the event, including certain images and thoughts about the event
• Repeated distressing dreams about the event
• Acting or feeling as if the traumatic event were happening again (includes reliving, such as having flashbacks about the event)
• Strong mental and emotional pain when seeing people, places, or other reminders of the event
• Physical reactions (such as shakiness, chills, heart beating fast) when seeing people, places, or other reminders of the event.

Avoidance and numbing - three or more of the following:

• Making efforts to avoid thoughts, feelings, or conversations about the event
• Making efforts to avoid activities, places, or people that are reminders of the event
• Not being able to remember important details about the event
• No longer enjoying or taking part in activities once enjoyed
• Feeling detached or removed from family and friends
• Having feelings of emotional numbness that others may notice
• Believing that certain important life goals (such as marriage, parenthood, or growing older) will not be fulfilled.

Hyperarousal - two or more of the following:

• Problems falling asleep or staying asleep
• Angry outbursts or being irritable
• Problems concentrating
• Feeling "overly alert"
• Being "overly startled".

Appearance of PTSD Symptoms

Symptoms of PTSD usually start to appear within several weeks of the traumatic event. However, some people may not have any symptoms for months or years after the traumatic event.

The Possibility of Other Conditions

Sometimes people with PTSD also may have another medical condition, such as:

• Another anxiety disorder
• Major depression
• Also, people with PTSD may try to numb their feelings by "self-medicating" with alcohol and/or drugs
• In addition, some people with PTSD have physical complaints along with PTSD symptoms.

These people often go to their doctors seeking treatment for these symptoms, which may include:

• Stomach pains; alternating constipation/diarrhea
• Respiratory problems
• Headaches
• Muscle cramps or aches
• Low back pain
• Cardiovascular problems.

Treatments

Many people with PTSD can benefit from treatment. Treatments that are often used include medicine, psychotherapy, or a combination of these treatments.

Your doctor may also suggest that you see a psychiatrist or other mental health professional that has experience in treating PTSD. The kind of therapy they provide may help you deal with the traumatic event and its effects on you.

Only a doctor or other qualified healthcare professional can make a diagnosis of PTSD since its symptoms could be due to other medical disorders. If you or someone you care about has experienced a traumatic event, and you think you see the symptoms of PTSD described earlier, talk to a doctor.

In PTSD, as with any serious medical condition, it can take time for your symptoms to improve.

University of Adelaide programs

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Critical Incident Debriefing Services
• Health Promotion programs

Other links

• University of Adelaide Stress policy
• The Counselling Centre
• PTSD.com