Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments
Step One: Locate a minimum of five scholarly (peer-reviewed) journal articles that will
help you learn about the disorder you selected (your textbook counts as a scholarly source
as well). When doing your research, you should look for articles that:
- describe/explain the symptoms associated with the disorder
- explain biological causes of the disorder
- explain psychological causes of the disorder
- explain socioeconomic causes of the disorder
- give you information about treatments for the disorder
, Introduction
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a complex psychiatric condition that develops
following exposure to a traumatic event involving actual or threatened death, serious
injury, or sexual violence. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR), PTSD is characterized by intrusive
memories, avoidance behaviors, negative alterations in cognition and mood, and
heightened arousal lasting more than one month (American Psychiatric Association,
2022). PTSD affects individuals of all ages and backgrounds, though prevalence is higher
among military veterans, survivors of violence, and those exposed to disasters. This paper
provides a detailed overview of PTSD, including its symptoms, biological, psychological,
and socioeconomic causes, as well as recent advancements in treatment and management.
Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
PTSD symptoms are grouped into four major clusters: intrusion, avoidance, negative
alterations in cognition and mood, and hyperarousal. Intrusive symptoms include
flashbacks, nightmares, and involuntary distressing memories of the traumatic event.
Avoidance symptoms involve efforts to evade trauma-related stimuli, such as places,
people, or thoughts associated with the trauma. Cognitive and mood symptoms manifest
as negative beliefs about oneself or the world, emotional numbness, detachment, and
persistent guilt or shame (Bisson et al., 2021). Hyperarousal symptoms include
irritability, exaggerated startle response, sleep disturbances, and hypervigilance.
Symptoms vary in intensity and duration, often triggered by reminders of the traumatic
event. PTSD prevalence in the U.S. adult population is estimated at 6–8%, with women
Step One: Locate a minimum of five scholarly (peer-reviewed) journal articles that will
help you learn about the disorder you selected (your textbook counts as a scholarly source
as well). When doing your research, you should look for articles that:
- describe/explain the symptoms associated with the disorder
- explain biological causes of the disorder
- explain psychological causes of the disorder
- explain socioeconomic causes of the disorder
- give you information about treatments for the disorder
, Introduction
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a complex psychiatric condition that develops
following exposure to a traumatic event involving actual or threatened death, serious
injury, or sexual violence. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR), PTSD is characterized by intrusive
memories, avoidance behaviors, negative alterations in cognition and mood, and
heightened arousal lasting more than one month (American Psychiatric Association,
2022). PTSD affects individuals of all ages and backgrounds, though prevalence is higher
among military veterans, survivors of violence, and those exposed to disasters. This paper
provides a detailed overview of PTSD, including its symptoms, biological, psychological,
and socioeconomic causes, as well as recent advancements in treatment and management.
Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
PTSD symptoms are grouped into four major clusters: intrusion, avoidance, negative
alterations in cognition and mood, and hyperarousal. Intrusive symptoms include
flashbacks, nightmares, and involuntary distressing memories of the traumatic event.
Avoidance symptoms involve efforts to evade trauma-related stimuli, such as places,
people, or thoughts associated with the trauma. Cognitive and mood symptoms manifest
as negative beliefs about oneself or the world, emotional numbness, detachment, and
persistent guilt or shame (Bisson et al., 2021). Hyperarousal symptoms include
irritability, exaggerated startle response, sleep disturbances, and hypervigilance.
Symptoms vary in intensity and duration, often triggered by reminders of the traumatic
event. PTSD prevalence in the U.S. adult population is estimated at 6–8%, with women
