Stress-related disorders may include mental health disorders such as post-traumatic stress and obsessive-compulsive disorder. It consists of all disorders which occur as a result of an atypical response to either short term or long-term anxiety caused by mental or emotional stress. A post-traumatic disorder develops after an individual is exposed to an event that causes trauma such as death, rape, war or even threats. In psychology, stress is a feeling of strain and pressure. It’s a type of psychological pain. However, small amounts of stress may be desirable, beneficial, and even healthy. The choice of post-traumatic stress disorder is because it is the most common among the stress-related disorders covered in the course. This paper describes the causes, symptoms, and methods which may be useful in treating stress-related disorders.

Stress also plays a factor in motivation, adaptation, and reaction to the environment. Excessive amounts of pressure, however, may lead to bodily harm. Stress can increase the risk of strokes, heart attacks, ulcers, and mental illnesses such as depression. Stress can be external and related to the environment but may also be caused by internal perceptions that make individuals experience anxiety or other negative emotions surrounding a situation, such as pressure, discomfort, etc., which they then deem stressful. Humans experience stress or perceive things as threatening when they do not believe that their resources for coping with obstacles (stimuli, people, situations, etc.) are enough for what the circumstances demand. When people think the expectations of them exceed their ability to cope, they then perceive stress.

The Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM 5) criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder has several approaches. For a patient to be diagnosed with PTSD, it is required that they got exposed to one or more event(s) that involved death or threatened death, actual or threatened serious injury, or threatened sexual violation. In Criterion B, patients diagnosed with the disorder usually have experienced at least one intrusive symptom associated with the event such as strong bodily reactions or dissociation through dreams and flashbacks. Also, the patient avoids reminders of the event in Criterion C. according to Criterion D, the individual experiences adverse changes in thoughts and mood following the traumatic occurrence. The changes include the inability to remember some specific details about an event, negative evaluations, and self-blame as well as loss of interest in favorite activities. Besides, the person experiences at least two changes in arousal such as irritability or aggressiveness, difficulty in concentration and lack of sleep in Criterion E. in Criterion F, the subject is diagnosed with PTSD if the above symptoms last for more than one month. If the signs bring distress in the life of the subject, then they are diagnosed with PTSD in Criterion G. however, Criterion H only concludes that one has the disorder if the symptoms are not due to medical condition or use of drugs.

Post-traumatic stress disorder may develop due to exposure to traumatic events in someone’s life. Traumatic events include incidences which evoke vivid memories which are not quickly forgotten. They are events which may change an individual’s life. Examples of events which may lead to the development of PTSD are witnessing of death either in traffic accidents, warfare or fire accidents. Such an event gives a person horrifying images which may trouble their mind. Additionally, sexual assault or rape also may cause trauma to the victim. Also, receiving threats on one’s life is an incidence which may traumatize the victim.

Most people with the post-traumatic disorder begin to experience symptoms within the first three months after the traumatic event has occurred. However, for some individuals, the symptoms do not start until a later period in their life after several years. The most common sign of the disorder is recurring memories of the traumatic event through flashbacks, upsetting dreams and nightmares and thoughts of the occurrence. Besides, victims experience strong body reactions such as increased heartbeat while experiencing the memories. Due to the recurring thoughts, people tend to avoid the thoughts of the event and even avoid people or places who remind them of the event. The victims also develop significant changes in their views resulting to self-blame, negative evaluations and inability to experience positive emotions such as happiness. Furthermore, people living with PTSD are likely to have increased irritability and aggressive behavior. They have difficulties in concentration and sleeping.

There are numerous courses of treatment that may be helpful in healing post-traumatic stress disorder. However, the most common treatment observed by many health institutions and recommended by doctors is a psychological debriefing. In the process of psychological debriefing, the individuals exposed to trauma get a chance to share their experiences.  The victims restructure their memories With the help of counselors. Through the process, the individuals can face the memories they fear most. It helps the victims learn how to live with the memories of the traumatic event they experienced. However, the process of psychological debriefing has been described to be dangerous to the patients by the American Psychological Association.

The most effective method for the treatment of the post-traumatic disorder is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). In this method of treatment, the individuals exposed to a traumatic event receive exposure to cues and emotions associated with their trauma. The patient is, therefore, able to experience the same traumatic event again only that this time it is in a safe environment with support from counselors and a trusted person. The patient is also encouraged to talk about the event or visit the place where the incident occurred to restructure their thoughts. Instructing survivors from car accidents to make short drives in neighborhoods has proven to help the survivors manage their disorder and majority can drive again. Similarly, visiting the sites where incidences occurred such as bomb blasts and war ruins has helped a significant number of victims overcome their traumatic thoughts and memories.

In summary, PTSD is a common mental disorder resulting from exposure to events which traumatize an individual. It can be diagnosed through the (DSM 5) criteria for the disorder. Symptoms associated with PTSD include experiencing flashbacks or dreams about the traumatic event which changes the thoughts and personality traits of the individual who suffered the event. Psychological debriefing is the most common method of treating  PTSD. However, the technique is dangerous to the patients according to APA. A safer and effective way for managing the disorder is through cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). In this clinical process, the victims or survivors exposed to a traumatic event repeat the experience in a safe environment which helps them gain confidence and restructure their thoughts.

Works Cited

American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-5®). American Psychiatric Pub, 2013.

Do you need high quality Custom Essay Writing Services?