Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating mental disorder, which is experienced in response to a traumatic event such as near-death experience, being raped, violated etc. PTSD leaves the individual with a loss of sense of safety and security, feeling detached from self, recurrent nightmares, flashbacks, and hypervigilance (heightened alertness) among many other symptoms, and is accompanied by depression and anxiety.
PTSD affects the person’s level of functioning, its relationships and physical health.
In addition to the person being directly affected by the trauma, also people, who are helping could be affected. This condition is also called “vicarious trauma”. Given the recent tragedies in Haiiti, a lot of attention has been given to the victims from Haiiti and interventions have been in place to help. It is; however, important to recognize that first line workers such as the policemen, firemen, doctors, and volunteers from across the world could be experiencing “vicarious trauma”, and as
such be in need for proper medical and supportive attention. The symptoms of post trauma usually subside within 3 months, and as such a diagnosis of PTSD is only accurate if these symptoms continue after this time frame.
If you see signs of disturbance in your loved ones, friends or neighbors, who just returned from Haiiti, you might want to pay extra attention and encourage them to seek professional help if the symptoms do not subside after 3 months.
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