Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

An Information Picture Book by Stephanie Baker

Stephanie Baker

Dr. Glasgow

ENG 356

30 Sept. 2010

Front Cover Image

“PTSD." Online Image. n.d. Columbiachildpsychologist.blogspot.com.Web. 29 Sept. 2010.

CREATED FORHOW I LIVE NOWby Meg Rosoff

“Mrs. M stayed frozen in one position like she didn’t understand English or even how to walk anymore but everyone else was shouting and running” (108).

“The facts of his *Edmond’s+ existence are plain. I know that he will never silence those unspeakable voices. He heard how people killed, and how they died, and their voices infected him, coursed through his body, poisoned him. He didn’t know how to turn off the noise, or turn the hate back out onto the world like the rest of us. He turned it on himself. You could see that from the scars on him” (193).

Have you ever experienced something you could never forget? Not a good thing. A bad thing. What grown-ups call A Traumatic Event, and

then they look at you with pity.

Munch, Edvard. “The Scream." Online image. 1893. The WebMuseum.Nasjonalgalleriet (National Gallery). Web. 29 Sept. 2010.

If your traumatic event caused you intense fear, horror, or helplessness and you keep

experiencing the event in your mind without your control, then you might have post-

traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). [1]

“Scared Pic.” Online image. n.d. Pamela’s Writing Blog. Web. 29 Sept. 2010.

But don’t worry,

over 7.7 million adults in the U.S. have it, too.[6]

“Crowd.” Online image. n.d. Elviedelacruz.blogspot.com. Web. 29 Sept. 2010.

Anyone who was a victim, witnessed or has been exposed to a life-threatening situation can get PTSD. Common triggers are violent acts (such as domestic violence, rape, sexual, physical or verbal abuse, or physical attacks) and unexpected dangerous events (such as a car accident, natural disaster, or terrorist attack). [4]

“Sitting.” Online Image. 25 April 2008. Psychologytoday.com. Web. 29 Sept. 2010

It’s natural to feel afraid in dangerous situations. Strong emotions related to the “fight-or-flight” response may create changes in the brain that may result in PTSD. “People who have PTSD may feel stressed or frightened even when they’re no longer in danger.” [3]

Freas, Kelly. “Woman and Monster.” Online Image. n.d. Gasoline Alley Antiques. Web. 29 Sept. 2010.

Symptoms of PTSD can happen right after the event, or it may take years before they become a problem to daily life.

“Clock Spiral.” Online Image. n.d. TreeHugger.com. Web. 29 Sept. 2010.

There are three types of symptoms:1.Re-experiencing2.Avoidance3.Increased Arousal

(Feeling tense)

“Yelling.” Online Image. n.d. Sneakerheadvc.com. Web. 29 Sept. 2010.

About 19 percent of Vietnam veterans experienced PTSD after the war. [6]

And kids get it, too.

Culter, David. “PTSD later.” n.d. ACPinternist.org. Web. 29 Sept. 2010.

Scientists found that 73 percent of elementary-aged children who experienced war in Pakistan had PTSD, and the problem they had the most as a result was concentration difficulties, which teachers didn’t always understand.[5]

~hagencalacin. “sad children." Online image. 2009. Deviant Art. Web. 29 Sept. 2010.

With help, PTSD can be easier to handle. Instead of keeping your feelings bottled up, a therapist can help you get better. The most successful ways of talking to a therapist are to talk about specific thoughts that are troubling you and working to reframe them (cognitive therapy) and to talk about the memories themselves (exposure therapy). [2]

Sometimes medication is used to help you feel less sad and worried. They work by helping your brain keep chemicals around to make you feel better. [2]

“Talking.” Online Image. n.d. Thechildcenter.typepad.com. Web. 29 Sept. 2010.

Everyone is different, so a treatment that works for someone else may not work for you. Sometimes you have to try several different things before you figure out what works best for you.

In the meantime, try to take care of yourself by relaxing, spending time with friends and family, exercising, and keeping a journal.[4]

“Writing.” Online Image. n.d. Lauraberry.wordpress.com. Web. 29 Sept. 2010.

Just remember, you’re not alone.

“Support groups.” Online Image. n.d. International Adoption Guide. Web. 29 Sept. 2010.

Resources

1. Gorman, Jack. "Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder." NAMI.org. National Alliance on Mental Illness, May 2003. Web. 29 Sept. 2010.

2. National Center for PTSD. U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, 2010. Web. 29 Sept. 2010.

3. "Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)." NIMH.NIH.gov. National Institute of Mental Health, 28 Sept. 2010. Web. 29 Sept. 2010.

4. Riggs, David S. "Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder." Mental Health America. Mental Health America, n.d. Web. 30 Sept. 2010.

5. Thabet, Abdel Aziz Mousa, and Panos Vostanis. "Post-traumatic stress reactions in children of war."Journal of Child Psychology & Psychiatry & Allied Disciplines 40.3 (1999): 385. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 29 Sept. 2010.

6. "The Numbers Count: Mental Disorders in America." NIMH.NIH.gov. National Institute of Mental Health, 28 Sept. 2010. Web. 30 Sept. 2010.