Photo by DJ Codrin
In the United States about fifty percent of women will experience a traumatic event in their lifetimes, and of those fifty percent, twenty percent will develop post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Some women develop PTSD when they have heart attacks, cancer, or are new mothers. PTSD is often, in about seventy-nine percent of cases, accompanied by another psychiatric disorder such as major depression, anxiety disorders, social phobias, or alcohol and drug abuse.
Symptoms of PTSD include flashbacks (reliving the trauma in your mind), emotional detachment (trouble being a loving family Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mPosttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health problem that can occur after someone goes through a traumatic event like war, assault, or disaster.ental health problem that can occur after someone goes through a traumatic event like war, assault, or disaster.Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health problem that can occur after someone goes through a traumatic event like war, assault, or disaster.member and avoiding activities with people), and jumpiness (being easily startled or over-reflexive).
Because PTSD is so prevalent, many women could be struggling alone in the disorder. This could take a toll on their prospective partners, their partners, family, friends, and children. This can cause problems within a romantic relationship and even problems with children. People with this disorder often become emotionally detached, and this is unfair to the people who love them.
PTSD can be lived with and even controlled in today’s world. There are trauma centers that are willing to work with people to control and understand this disorder as much as possible. If you or someone you know is suffering from PTSD, a trauma center is ready to help. There is even research working on a new way to treat PTSD and make life for these individuals more livable again. Many places need people with PTSD in order to make discoveries and help others with PTSD.
One of these places is The Center for Trauma Recovery at the University of Missouri-St. Louis in collaboration with Washington University is recruiting participants for a neuroimaging study investigating the effects of psychotherapy or an approved medication for the treatment of PTSD. Participants must be women between the ages of 18-55, currently suffer from PTSD, and meet other study eligibility requirements. Treatment will be provided free of charge. Participants will also be compensated for their time in the study.
