PTSD described in many ways

  Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, has been described in a number of different ways ranging from hysteria to trauma to shell shock to exhaustion. Shakespeare even coined a term for PTSD in King Henry IV, calling it the "War sequelae."

  However, it was not until the ’80s with the publication of the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders III" that the term post- traumatic stress disorder appeared.

  PTSD not only presents a number of different symptoms, but it also evokes a number of different responses. Gen. Patton slapped a soldier suffering from battle fatigue in a hospital ward during World War II. A television "M*A*S*H" character, Maj. Frank Burns, called them "slug nutties." A family experiences heartbreak when one of its members becomes more and more withdrawn and behaves in an alien manner.

  The current "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV TR" outlines the standards for diagnosing PTSD: exposure to a traumatic event, the traumatic event is persistently re-experienced: flashbacks, nightmares; persistent avoidance of stimuli associated with the trauma and numbing of general responsiveness, persistent symptoms of increased arousal, symptom duration of more than one month and significant impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

  The traumatic or precipitating event can be combat, a hostage situation, a natural catastrophe, a rape, or physical or sexual abuse. Simply and specifically, the event threatens an individual's life or the life of a loved one, and usually involves a feeling of helplessness on the part of the participant or witness. The above symptoms can appear in a few weeks or several years.

  Many people experiencing a traumatic event see themselves as responding uniquely when they watch others rebuild homes after natural disasters or see fellow soldiers acting bravely during a sniper attack. This feeling of uniqueness is primarily what begins to formulate the isolation that the individual experiences when PTSD begins to manifest itself.

  Self-isolation is perhaps one of the most heart- wrenching aspects of PTSD because the individual is separating himself or herself from the very support system that he or she needs to recover from such an event. The individual felt helpless and controlled during the event and then unable to control anger and behavior as PTSD begins to manifest. A feeling of uniqueness and isolation united with a growing loss of control plunges the individual into a private world of pain and misery.

  The anger and stimulus avoidance behavior of the person experiencing PTSD causes separation and distrust with family members and increases the individual’s feelings of fear and guilt and loss of control. The individual’s pain and isolation intensifies, and he or she often resorts to self-medication to assuage the pain and sense of loss. Therefore, drug and alcohol abuse are often components of PTSD.

  The good news is that if the traumatic event has not occurred over a sustained period, a number of people spontaneously recover. The other good news is many medications exist, particularly antidepressants, which can help the sufferer cope with and overcome many of his or her symptoms. Medication, group therapy and individual therapy have returned many PTSD sufferers to full and active lives.

  Group therapy is of tremendous benefit because the isolated sufferer discovers that his or her feelings and experiences are not as unique as believed and helps overcome the isolation that has characterized the descent into PTSD. Cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure therapy are "talk" therapies that have helped traumatized individuals recover.

  PTSD is an anxiety disorder; therefore, the person experiencing these symptoms must also learn productive ways to cope with high levels of anxiety. As a result, the person seeking professional help can take a number of steps to help himself or herself while working through the process.

  First, he or she should get at least eight hours of sleep, eat a balanced diet, exercise, find outlets that are relaxing and stay connected with others. Each person should avoid destructive behaviors such as self-medicating and social isolation.

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Earl Knapp is a licensed clinical liaison with the state of Arizona. He has counseled in several different settings: military, retirement homes, college and church. He currently is a clinical liaison for the Excel Group.