PTSD

Case Study 2:
Hannah, age 55, was in a major car accident 20 years ago during a cross country trip. Ever since, she has been unable to drive on major highways. Although she does drive, she goes to great length to travel only on back roads and scenic routes. She is able to go where she wants but it often takes her much longer to get there than it should.


Hannah is suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This disorder is often seen in people who have experienced or witnessed an event involving actual or threatened death or serious injury. Every time she is exposed to a highway, she is reminded of the traumatic event.

Treatments for PTSD usually include psychotherapy and medications. Medicines that act on the nervous system, such as antidepressants, can help reduce anxiety and other symptoms of PTSD. Some types of therapy used in treating PTSD are cognitive therapy, cognitive behavior therapy, and exposure therapy. All these different approaches can help you gain control of the fear and distress that happen after a traumatic event. They can also help you learn more about why you have certain feelings and thoughts, and how to replace them with more positive and realistic thinking. Through psychotherapy, you learn ways to cope so that you don't feel overwhelmed by thoughts and feelings related to your traumatic experience.




http://www.behavenet.com/capsules/disorders/ptsd.htm

http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/post-traumatic-stress-disorder/overview.html

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/post-traumatic-stress-disorder/DS00246/DSECTION=treatments%2Dand%2Ddrugs