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Types Of Anxiety Disorders: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Anxiety disorders usually develop due to an inherited condition or some form of trauma. Very traumatic events in a person's life, particularly ones involving emotional or physical violence, can damage a person and cause a recurring problem with anxiety for years to come. In the case of children who suffered trauma, the situation is far more complex and difficult to successfully treat. Victims of sexual violence such as rape or child molestation, or survivors of war or assault, will very likely develop post traumatic stress disorder and will be forced to relive the worst moments of their life at inconvenient times, and sometimes for no apparent reason at all.

Post traumatic stress is not limited to suffering through a violent incident only, however. Witnessing an act of violence has been known to cause the disorder, as well as car accidents or train wrecks, bombings, natural disasters, robbery or losing a family member or friend in death. PTSD is related to the threat of violence, or the loss of something precious through violent means.

A person with PTSD may exhibit some very obvious symptoms. They often become emotionally numb, (even to people whom they have affection) lose interest in hobbies, become easily irritable and more aggressive, even violent. The most difficult times will be anniversaries of the traumatic incident as well as encountering situations that recall the event. Symptoms usually don't appear randomly but are triggered by an incident, even something small, that recalls the past experience vividly to mind. It could be a simple phrase uttered by someone else, a particular sight or sound or just a negative experience with parallels to the trauma.

Many PTSD sufferers will actually relive the trauma at some point, whether in their daydreaming thoughts or in nightmares. These episodes are known as flashbacks and are often triggered by something small but related to the trauma. It is possible, though not always the norm, that a person will literally relive the experience and lose touch with the real world for several moments.

However, not everyone who who has suffered trauma will develop post traumatic stress syndrome, nor will every person who has it develop extreme cases of anxiety or flashbacks. Symptoms generally appear within three months of the trauma, but can emerge even years afterward. Because of the nature of trauma, doctors usually won't diagnose PTSD until a month or so after the event. Some people go through minor stages of PTSD but recover within six months. To others however, it may become a chronic condition.

Untreated anxiety disorders can actually lead to the development of more disorders and phobias. It's not uncommon for post traumatic stress sufferers to turn to alcohol or drugs as a way of escaping hints of thr trauma. But this is a dangerous way to treat a serious problem. Recommended treatment is traditional medication or psychotherapy to gradually relieve the heavy symptoms of PTSD. The traumatic memories will never be forgotten, but with professional treatment the symptoms can be relieved.