This morning we woke up to hear of the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan. I thought it might be helpful to discuss how natural tragedies, such as the 8.9 earthquake in Japan, can cause Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can happen when a person faces trauma that involves the threat of injury or death. The trauma leaves a person feeling helpless.
The way I remember the three major symptoms of PTSD is by using the acronym H.A.R.
H- Hyperarousal
A-Avoidance
R-Re-experiencing
- Hyper-arousal symptomswhere a person has difficulty modulating nervous system activation and are left feeling vigilant. These individuals may "sleep with one eye open" or be on guard all of the time.
- Avoidance symptoms –the person avoids situations and people that remind them of trauma that may activate them or stimulate arousal symptoms and may have an inability to recall aspects of the disaster.
- Re-experiencing symptomswhere a person suffers from repeatedly reliving a traumatic event. These may come in the form of thoughts, dreams, and acting or feeling as if the event were reoccurring and/or intense stress.
Most people will be exposed to a traumatic incident at some point in their lives.
Rape cases account for 45% of victims getting PTSD.
Combat cases account for 30% of victims getting PTSD.
Natural disasters account for 10% of victims getting PTSD.
Why then do some people get PTSD and others don’t?
Not all people who suffer trauma have PTSD. Some people don't have symptoms - some have symptoms and recover - some develop symptoms and don't recover, but function well anyhow - and others suffer debillatating effects.
The cause of PTSD is unknown, but psychological, genetic, physical, and social factors are involved. PTSD changes the body' s response to stress. It affects the stress hormones and chemicals that carry information between the nerves (neurotransmitters). Some factors that may help people avoid PTSD are:
- Altruism
- Physical well being, exercise
- Humor
- Cognitive flexibility – the capacity to reappraise adverse circumstances…look for an opportunity in adversity or failure – finding the "silver lining"accepting of a situation when it cannot be changed
- Having a strong purpose or mission in life
- Strong social support
- Optimistic outlook
- Strong religious or spiritual beliefs
- Brain structure – Chemicals in the body (glutamate, GABA, nor epinephrine, serotonin, and cortisol) damage the hippocampus
- Coping skills
- Minimal Life Stressors such as recent divorce, financial problems, job loss
- Low history of past trauma.
If four “normal” people faced a traumatic event, about ¼ would develop PTSD. But if those four people all had traumatic childhoods involving poverty and abuse, ¾ of those people would develop PTSD. It seems earlier life experiences create a fertile ground for PTSD.
The strongest predictor is the level of trauma - how severe was the experience. Another predictor is the amount of social support.
The majority of people heal within two years but some people suffer from lifelong effects.
Treatment for PTSD
SSRI’s (anti-depressants) may be prescribed
Trauma-focused therapies including cognitive, behavior, and exposure therapies
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
*If you live in Denver and think you have PTSD, here is a list of Community Mental Health Centers click here
To watch video footage click here
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