HEALTH BEAT 11-1-2001

Meetings & Conventions: Short Cuts November 2001 Current Issue
November 2001
Short Cuts:
HEALTH BEAT

When trauma lasts

Shock, disbelief, anger and anxiety are normal and immediate reactions to a traumatic experience. But when these feelings persist for months, the sufferer might have Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Left untreated, PTSD can continue for up to 10 years.

PTSD sufferers have trouble functioning in their daily lives. They experience flashbacks, have trouble sleeping and eating, difficulty concentrating, are easily startled, feel uneasy and might even have panic attacks. They become fixated on adjusting their lives -- shunning people, places and things -- to avoid any reminder of the traumatic experience. Very often, they turn to alcohol or drugs to soothe their anxieties.

Sufferers often are misdiagnosed because they exhibit symptoms of other physical and mental disorders, such as frequent headaches, depression, chest pains and digestive or gynecological problems. Treatment includes psychotherapy to work through the trauma and medication to relieve distressing symptoms. More information is available at www.mental-health.com.

C.A.S.