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Morning Rounds: What you need to know about PTSD

Posted at 10:39 AM, Aug 22, 2018
and last updated 2018-08-22 12:39:18-04

MISSOULA – We answer your medical questions every Wednesday on Montana This Morning during our Morning Rounds segment.

If you have a question that you’d like us to answer, just send us an email at morningrounds@kpax.com.

Dr. Blair Davison discusses Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) during the August 22nd edition of Morning Rounds.


The National Institute of Mental Health offers up more info about PTSD on their website including the following: 

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Overview

PTSD is a disorder that develops in some people who have experienced a shocking, scary, or dangerous event.

It is natural to feel afraid during and after a traumatic situation. Fear triggers many split-second changes in the body to help defend against danger or to avoid it. This “fight-or-flight” response is a typical reaction meant to protect a person from harm. Nearly everyone will experience a range of reactions after trauma, yet most people recover from initial symptoms naturally. Those who continue to experience problems may be diagnosed with PTSD. People who have PTSD may feel stressed or frightened even when they are not in danger.

Signs and Symptoms

Not every traumatized person develops ongoing (chronic) or even short-term (acute) PTSD. Not everyone with PTSD has been through a dangerous event. Some experiences, like the sudden, unexpected death of a loved one, can also cause PTSD. Symptoms usually begin early, within 3 months of the traumatic incident, but sometimes they begin years afterward. Symptoms must last more than a month and be severe enough to interfere with relationships or work to be considered PTSD. The course of the illness varies. Some people recover within 6 months, while others have symptoms that last much longer. In some people, the condition becomes chronic.

A doctor who has experience helping people with mental illnesses, such as a psychiatrist or psychologist, can diagnose PTSD.