I think when many people hear or see the letters “PTSD” an image of a war surviving soldier pops up in our minds. However, the prevalence and effect of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder doesn’t affect solely veterans and military service members. Adolescent females, ages 13-18, have the highest prevalence of PTSD in their age demographic at 8%. Adults in the U.S., age 45-59, sit at 5.3% prevalence. There are many experiences that can cause a response in people, such as sexual assault/violence, physical assault, serious accidents, the unexpected death of a loved one, and many others. This all to say, PTSD doesn’t discriminate. Being aware of the prevalence of PTSD is beneficial when you are in the position of helping an individual who may be dealing with diagnosed or undiagnosed PTSD, whether that be as a mental health professional, a teacher, or a friend.
PTSD is, at its core, rooted in anxiety, according to the DSM-V, which is the diagnostic manual used by professionals who are diagnosing mental illness in their clients (i.e. psychiatrist, therapist, social worker, etc.). The DSM-V criteria for PTSD includes direct or indirect exposure to a traumatic event, followed by symptoms of intrusion, avoidance, negative changes in thoughts and mood, and changes in arousal and reactivity. Though not every person will have symptoms that fit all four categories, understanding the response and reactions that people can experience after being exposed to a traumatic event can help us all.
Many people who have PTSD experience “flashbacks” of the traumatic event, where they relive the event. Some people will have recurring nightmares related to the event as well. These types of “re-experiencing” symptoms can cause significant stress to the individual and those around them, while raising their already heightened levels of hyper-vigilance. Some common symptoms of PTSD, specifically in children, can be wetting the bed, acting out the event or a similar event in play, or being unusually clingy to a parent.
Being aware of the signs and symptoms of PTSD, as well as the prevalence of exposure to traumatic events individuals experience, is so important in our work as humans. There is a quote by Annette Breaux that I see often. It is, “Nine times out of ten, the story behind the misbehavior won’t make you angry, it will break your heart.” Let’s remember this as we move forward and help our fellow humans.
Cara Parkinson can be found behind the front desk in the office. She has worked in mental health with children and adolescents for the past 4 years and joined our office in July of 2020. She is currently working to complete her Master’s in Social Work. She enjoys spending time with her dog, Bella, reading and is a lover of learning. She looks forward to discovering more ways to advocate for and help others along their journey through life and finding healing.