The definition of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an individual that has been exposed and diagnosed to any kind of threat of physical harm that encourages feelings of fear, helplessness, or horror (American Psychiatric Association, 1994). Some researchers suggest that PTSD is a common outcome of head trauma, whereas others hold that it is a rare or nonexistent outcome (Boake, 1996; Sbordone & Liter, 1995). As a common outcome of head trauma, some cognitive injuries may occur: Sleep difficulties, diminished interests, irritability, poor concentration and exaggerated startle response, to the more problematic symptoms of: Memory loss or forgetfulness, difficulty with attention, speed of information processing and problem solving. PTSD duration has been documented as lasting a few weeks to eight years. Once the patient has been thoroughly diagnosed, with any of the above listed cognitive injuries or other severe traumatic memories are often complaints for medical treatment. A critical aspect of treatment is education on PTSD, to the more thorough treatments ranging from psychotherapeutic intervention to antidepressant medication.
A Review of Post Traumatic stress Disorder.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) has been defined as an individual having been exposed to any threat of physical harm or suggests feelings of fear, helplessness or horror (American Psychiatric Association, 1994). PTSD is a disorder that has been argued among researchers, suggesting that the PTSD does not exist to the idea that PTSD stems from an individual that sustains a serious head injury. Further research is needed to confirm several research findings, and to prove they do exist.
The cases that do exist do not indicate that all patients with PTSD have sustained a head injury, nor do they suggest that all who sustain head injuries will display PTSD symptoms (cf. Sbordone & Liter, 1995). To clarify theses issues, the American Psychiatric Association, (APA), 1994) referred to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th edition; DSM-IV).
