Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: The Lasting Impact of Trauma

As a nation, we have experienced a variety of catastrophic events over the years—the Oklahoma bombings, 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, and numerous mass shootings. Each of these tragedies occurred at a specific place and point in time, however, the impact of such events can manifest in ways that are long lasting and life changing.  Personal traumas such as rapes, abuse, plane/automobile accidents, or any life threatening events can significantly impact that way that one moves about in the world.

After disaster, it is not uncommon to have related physical and emotional responses. One may find oneself overly anxious or startled at the sound of a popping balloon or a backfiring car. Feelings of numbness may also develop that alter one’s emotional availability. The desire to be affectionate toward loved one is lost and instead individuals may become avoidant and isolative. The slightest infractions may cause irritability and aggression and perhaps even violence can surface. Nightmares may cause sleepless nights and memories of the original trauma may bring about anxiety. These are just some of the symptoms commonly associated with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.  PTSD, as defined by The National Institutes of Health, as an anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to a terrifying event or ordeal in which grave physical harm occurred or was threatened. 

Initially introduced to describe symptoms developed by civil war veterans after combat, PTSD has historically been called soldiers’ heart, shell shock, battle fatigue and Post Vietnam Syndrome. It was first recognized by the America Psychiatric Association as a mental disorder in 1980, however it is just as relevant today. Soldiers fighting in Iraq, as well as veterans of wars past, are often still haunted by the sounds of fighter planes and explosions, or the vivid sights of dismembered comrades. Likewise, many Americans have indelible imagines of planes crashing into the World Trade Center or falling bodies from windows stories above.  While others retain the faces of those desperately seeking safety from the rising waters after Hurricane Katrina and many sexual abuse survivors live with cemented olfactory memories of childhood perpetrators stealing their innocence. Each of these occurrences could be examples of life threatening events that could leave behind the painful reality that contradicts the notions of the world as a safe place. After trauma, insecurity may set in and familiar places and events become laden with reminders of past tragedy that intrude upon one’s walk through life.
If you have experienced personally or witnessed an event that threatened your safety, death or posed serious injury, you may be living with overwhelming feelings of fear or terror. It is possible that you may be experiencing symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and are unaware. If you identify with any of the following symptoms, please consult with a mental health professional:

• Recurrent and intrusive distressing recollections of the traumatic episode, including images, thoughts or perceptions. Children may engaged playing in which the theme or aspects of the play are related to the trauma
• Nightmares or recurrent dreams of the catastrophe
• Flashbacks, hallucinations, delusions or feelings of actually reliving the experience
• Intense physiological responses trigged by cues (internal or external) or situations that remind you of the original trauma
• Intense psychological distress trigged by cues (internal or external) or situations that remind you of the original trauma

As mentioned previously, not all traumatic experiences result in PTSD, however no one can define and determine the severity of a traumatic experience for anyone else. Just because a formal diagnosis of PTSD is not rendered, does not mean that you are not in need of assistance to learn to cope with the traumatic experiences of your past.

Have the courage to look within. They may just be another you waiting to be freed from emotional shackle.

Dr. Mitchell

Feel free to contact Dr. Mitchell with questions, comments and suggestions for article topics at Doctor Mitchell@verizon.net. For questions about psychotherapy please call 202.486.8352.

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