PTSD Risks

Summary of "What are the risks of post-traumatic stress disorder after an accident?" by Emmanuel Lagarde based on resources provided by INSERM (Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale).

Lagarde told readers that many individuals dealing with post traumatic stress disorder still had symptoms a long time after trigger event (8 months afterwards). PTSD usually occurs in when someone's life is at risk, and it can be developed when either one is in danger or one witnesses someone else's near-death experience. Main symptoms that may occur immediately, or even eight months after an incident, include "headaches, uncontrollable fear or maladies of certain kinds, vision problems, balancing problems, or being irritable." 500 of 1300 patients admitted to Bordeaux Hospital in France with cranial trauma had these sorts of symptoms 3 months after being first admitted to the hospital.

After a triggering event occurs in someone's life, many symptoms can occur, ranging from mild to severe in nature. For example, if one witnessed someone else in a near-death situation, they may relive that moment, have hallucinations, et cetera. This can lead to much more severe depression, suicidal thoughts or actions, and extreme rage. Cranial trauma is common in ex-militants, victims of physical abuse, and victims of sexual abuse. This mainly causes the fear aspect, which would be extremely devastating. Many people can't even visualize what it's like to be in a situation where it's impossible to be yourself, and others notice. It's such an inescapable part of many patients' PTSD, and one of the biggest struggles that people can have with their disorder.

INSERM (Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale). (2014, July 17). What are the risks of post-traumatic stress disorder after an accident?. ScienceDaily. Retrieved September 17, 2014 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/07/140717114925.htm