Research, PTSD Alyssa

Having Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can cause the reliving of a traumatic event. Which can be known as; nightmares, flashbacks and triggers (to see, hear or smell something to make you relive the event). There are many other symptoms of PTSD. Avoiding situations that remind of the event is typical for someone who has PTSD.  Also, avoiding crowds and certain movies. Changing the way the think about themselves and others, not having a positive or loving feelings toward friends and family, and thinking the world is completely dangerous and no one can be trusted. More symptoms can be hyper arousal which is “a state of increased psychological and physiological tension marked by such effects as reduced pain tolerance, anxiety, exaggeration of startle responses, insomnia, fatigue and accentuation of personality traits” (quoted in healthcentral.com).Being jittery, always alert, to become angry and irritable easily, hard time sleeping, startled by loud noise and standing with back against the wall are all to be expected in someone experiencing PTSD. Physical symptoms are, headaches, stomach pains and back pains. PTSD usually starts soon after the traumatic event, but for some it can take months, even years to begin. Symptoms can come and go. Co-morbidity has been found to be more prominent in trauma patients. A lot of people will undergo Psychotherapy and medication for treatment.

     Doctors without Borders (doctorswithoutborders.org) did a survey on the welfare of people in Sierra Leone experiencing PTSD. They concluded the psychological and mental health consequences of war on civilians are all too often neglected. The civil war in Sierra Leone began in 1991. Since 1994 Doctors Without Borders (DWB) has provided medical and nutritional programs in Sierra Leone. Including surgery, primary health care, and water and sanitation. In 1997 a psychosocial program was started around Magburaka, in central Sierra Leone. Because of security situations the program was suspended. Then, in 1999 through trained locals DWB started a psychosocial care unit for amputees at the hospital in Freetown. It became recognized that mental health and psychosocial programs greatly contributed to lessen the severity of the suffering of people in war and disaster-stricken areas. Focused primarily on the effects of PTSD.

    DWB has been addressing the psychosocial problems of the survivors in Sierra Leone before, during and after the January 1999 events. Research has shown that nearly all war victims experience recurrent and intrusive recollections, dreams and sudden feelings of reliving the event(s). When Doctors Without Borders did their survey, they got into teams. A pen was spun to determine the directions and every 10^th house, to the right, was selected to be surveyed. The most senior member of the house hold present was the one interviewed. If there was anyone to refuse it was noted and the selection process would continue to the next 10^th house.

     The survey consisted of the following:

First section assessed the demographics and personal background of the participant.

Second appraised traumatic events. Such as, exposure to violent situations, who was lost, and the traumatic events witnessed.

Third evaluated current physical health complaints and needs.

Pictures of the graphs that were in conclusion of the survey are posted.

Credible sources:
www.ptd.va.gov
www.doctorswithoutborders.org