Misunderstanding Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

We hear about a tragedy, whether it's a natural disaster like a hurricane or violence by one human being to another like the Virginia Tech shooting, and that counselors are being brought in to help the survivors. We see photos of children and adults with far away looks in their eyes, sometimes emotionally numb, with stories of domestic violence and child abuse. We read that soldiers returning from war have difficulties readjusting to civilian life.

It may be hard to understand that all of these people are living with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (often called PTSD). What exactly is it, first of all? It's an anxiety disorder brought on after "exposure to a terrifying event or ordeal in which grave physical harm occurred or was threatened".

Symptoms may include persistent frightening thoughts and memories of the ordeal (flashbacks.e.g.), emotional numbness and/or feeling detached, sleep problems, hyper-alertness (i.e. easily startled), avoiding reminders of incident(s),feelings of guilt, depression, loss of interest in activities, memory loss of dangerous event(s) and angry outbursts. Some survivors are able to use treatment to move beyond PTSD with counseling.

Others who have suffered prolonged and repeated trauma must learn to cope with residual symptoms. Long term child abuse or torture survivors, for example, can experience changes in the way the brain works, making it more difficult to treat PTSD (sometimes referred to as complex PTSD). They can, however, be helped to live productively with the proper support.

In order to do that, however, we need to diagnose PTSD more effectively and make treatment available. The occurrence of PTSD in our veterans, for example, has been underreported and undertreated, resulting in high rates of homelessness,suicide, substance abuse issues and other problems. Untreated symptoms of PTSD cause many other problems. Yet, although one in five Iraq vets have PTSD, only half seek treatment. Some report fear of being stigmatized, while others are so caught up in their symptoms they have difficulty seeking help. Yesterday's shooting in Iraq of five soldiers by a soldier referred for treatment raises tragic questions about our reluctance to timely diagnose PTSD in a military where personnel sometimes serve three and four tours of duty.

Those who have survived child or domestic abuse also often live in silence with PTSD. They may not have access to treatment or realize that it's available, leading to lifelong relationship issues and job losses as adults. Children with untreated PTSD may do poorly in school and are unable to socialize with their peers, missing critical developmental milestones.

We need to learn to get beyond the stigma associated with naming disorders such as PTSD and offer treatment to those who need it in a timely, compassionate manner. That way perhaps we can help our brothers and sisters rather than label and blame them for having it.

When your child has a close call

This article is something you might want to read if you, a loved one, or friend has gone through the experience of a child having a brush with death, whether through illness or diagnosis. It could help you understand why, after the crisis has passed, the parent finds himself or herself still having palpitations and other symptoms as if everything is not okay. The reason? Could be post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Several years ago, my nephew received testing for muscular dystrophy. There was a different diagnosis in the end which explained his symptoms, but the testing process was lengthy and laborious, covering many months. Then, when one series of tests was negative, it seemed as if the doctor always ordered more tests - on and on. Could be a rare form. Could be this. Could be that. Rare- but fatal - possibilities hung over my sister and brother in law as they weathered through this.

The tests came back and it was none of those. However, I saw the "near grief" reaction in them that's talked about in this article. The illusion that everything is okay, that our kids will grow up to adulthood, was stripped away long enough that there was an understandable emotional reaction. And it's doubly painful to feel this way when others are saying to you "But everything's okay!" as if, somehow, the time you need to catch up to that fact is not legitimate.

What do you do with those feelings? This article suggests talking to other parents who have been through the same thing.

Of course, I'm not saying everyone will go through this, but it certainly explained some of what I saw my family go through. It was helpful in that way, so I figured I'd share it with others. It's a good beginning to exploring what support parents might need where children have illnesses or disabilities where they experience repeated close calls. Getting parents the support they need is a topic I don't think gets enough attention.

Rescuing Youssif

CNN Public Relations just emailed a News Release on this upcoming CNN special with Youssif, the young boy recovering from burns, his family and Dr. Gupta. I know some of you will be interested in having the following viewing times so am posting part of it:

"Rescuing Youssif, the first television special related to CNN’s ongoing “Impact Your World” initiative, not only documents Youssif’s recovery but reveals how the network’s global audience embraced the story and offered money and support to speed his treatment. Impact Your World – Rescuing Youssif will premiere on Monday, Dec. 24, at 10 p.m., with replays on Tuesday, Dec. 25, at 1a.m. and 4 a.m. All times Eastern.

CNN’s Baghdad correspondent Arwa Damon first brought the story of Youssif’s plight to the world in August, reporting that treatment at a local hospital was second-rate and painful for Youssif. Youssif’s mother, Zaineb, movingly described how the dynamic personality of her son took a disheartening turn. CNN chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta reports on Youssif’s medical progress and provides insight into his emotional and physical recovery. "

I continue to send prayers and well wishes for Youssif, his family and all burn survivors and their families.

Film Review : Touching Wild Horses

I rented this film from Netflix. It's a 2002 movie starring Jane Seymour, who plays a prickly woman (Fiona) living alone on an island off Nova Scotia studying wild horses. When her brother in law and niece are killed in a car accident and her sister left in a coma, she reluctantly takes in her nephew Mark who is suffering from post traumatic stress disorder -both from the accident and also from abuse. It becomes clear as the movie progresses that Fiona is hiding her own secret from a hidden past.

The movie sensitively portrays the characters' influence on each other and the emotional healing of the young boy as Fiona helps him regain not only his self esteem but provides him with safety and structure. It contains beautiful footage of the wild horses, the acting is superb and, although the screenplay wasn't as good as the acting, it did justice to the characters, providing a realistic portrayal.

For more information about this movie, click above.

[visual description: Young Mark is shown standing next to one of the wild horses, a black foal.]

Helping students feel safe after tragedy

In this 2001 post 9/11 article, experts talk about how parents and educators can deal with the fears of students on issues such as feeling unsafe, talking about tragedy and violence and limiting exposure to TV coverage. Studies have shown that even those who are not present at a tragedy can experience a form of PTSD, especially children who have difficulty processing repeated images of TV coverage of events.

"Gateway to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder"

Today's tragic shootings at Virginia Tech will affect many lives. It is imperative that the students and staff who personally experienced this tragedy give voice to their experiences in its aftermath.

Click above to learn more about PTSD and to find resources for help and support.