Over the last several months, I have written many posts about all aspects of stress and its management as it affects your personal and work lives. Yet another topic is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). At first glance, you might think this is questionably relevant. However, three things are true. One is that you do not have to be a combat veteran to suffer PTSD. Second, PTSD affects your brain. Third, you may be working with or living around someone with PTSD.

So what is PTSD? PTSD is a pathological anxiety disorder resulting after exposure to a traumatic event. An estimated 8% of the U.S. adult population matches the criteria for PTSD with women more likely to develop symptoms than men. While PTSD cases commonly involve combat or assault experiences, there is a wide range of events capable of triggering PTSD symptoms. Trauma events frequently associated with the development of PTSD include the following:

- Physical, emotional, or sexual abuse
- Combat experiences
- Terrorist attacks
- Natural disasters such as tornados, floods, earthquakes, or fires
- Life-threatening accidents, such as automobile accidents, airplane crashes, or boating accidents both experienced or witnessed
- Violent crimes, both experienced or witnessed

There is growing research around the topic of vicariously witnessing traumatic events as well. With the explosion of violent traumatic events in the news of late, there is more interest and concern about the impact of these on people not directly accosted.

What are common symptoms of PTSD? There are four:

Intrusion: Recurrent recollections of the event
- Numbing: Emotional distancing from surrounding people and events
  - Avoidance: Fear and avoidance behavior
    - Arousal: Agitated state of constant wakefulness and alertness

What happens in the brains of people with PTSD? Suffice it to say, there is no use telling them to get over it because PTSD changes the brain's structure.

Extensive neuroimaging studies on the brains of PTSD patients show that several regions differ structurally and functionally from those of healthy individuals. The amygdala, the hippocampus, and the ventromedial prefrontal cortex play a role in triggering the symptoms of PTSD. Together, these regions impact the stress response mechanism in humans. Consequently, the PTSD victim, long after his experiences, continues to perceive and respond to stress differently than someone who does not suffer the results of trauma.

In a subsequent post, I will outline how PTSD affects the brain. For now, note two things. One is to realize that there are treatments available for PTSD. Second, consider the above and whether you or someone you know might be suffering from such a problem. Depression and anxiety are common occurrences with PTSD and can affect well being in life and at work.

No matter what has happened, you can change your thoughts, your life, and your response to stress. See other posts at www.successandmindset.com.