Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Medical Author: Roxanne Dryden-Edwards, MD
Medical Editor: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Causes
Virtually any trauma, defined as an event that is life-threatening or that severely compromises the emotional well-being of an individual or causes intense fear, may cause PTSD. Such events often include either experiencing or witnessing a severe accident or physical injury, receiving a life-threatening medical diagnosis, being the victim of kidnapping or torture, exposure to war combat or to a natural disaster, exposure to other disaster (for example, plane crash) or terrorist attack, being the victim of rape, mugging, robbery, or assault, enduring physical, sexual, emotional, or other forms of abuse, as well as involvement in civil conflict. Although the diagnosis of PTSD currently requires that the sufferer has a history of experiencing a traumatic event as defined here, people may develop PTSD in reaction to events that may not qualify as traumatic but can be devastating life events like divorce or unemployment.
Many Sleep-Deprived Americans Blame Stress
Sleeping Problems Affect Millions, and Health, Job Performance, and Relationships Often Suffer, Study Finds
By Bill Hendrick
WebMD Health News
Reviewed By Laura J. Martin, MD
Nov. 12, 2010 — Millions of Americans say they’re not getting enough sleep and that the lack of shut-eye affects their personal relationships, job performance, and mental and physical health, according to a new study.
A global survey of more than 30,000 people in 23 countries commissioned by the Philips Center for Health and Well-Being shows that people in the U.S. have one of the highest rates of sleep deprivation. The survey finds that 37% of Americans feel they don’t get enough sleep. Only France at 45% and Taiwan at 50% had higher incidences of sleep deprivation.
What’s Keeping Us From Sleeping?
So what’s the problem?
- 49% of Americans who don’t get enough sleep blame stress and worry.
Oxytocin More Than Mere ‘Love Hormone’
Latest Mental Health News
Hormone Boosts Trust, Empathy, Charitable Donations; Reduces Anxiety and Stress, New Research Shows
By Kathleen Doheny
WebMD Health News
Reviewed by Laura J. Martin, MD
Nov. 15, 2010 (San Diego) — The love hormone oxytocin, known to be plentiful in lactating women and released by men and women during orgasm, appears to do much more, according to new research presented here at the annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience.
It’s also associated with boosting trust and empathy — to the point of increasing the wish to donate to charitable causes — and reducing anxiety and stress. It may also improve social functioning in people with autism, although research is scant on that.
One thing’s clear: It’s no longer just the ”cuddle hormone,” says Margaret McCarthy, PhD, a researcher at the University of Maryland School of Medicine who moderated a news conference Sunday that summarized the latest research.
Stressful Jobs May Raise Women’s Heart Attack Risk, Study Finds
By Amanda Gardner
HealthDay Reporter
SUNDAY, Nov. 14 (HealthDay News) — Women who have taxing jobs with little control over their busy days are at higher risk for heart attacks or the need for coronary bypass surgery, new research suggests.
Furthermore, worrying about losing one’s job also raised the odds of having cardiovascular disease risk factors such as high blood pressure and higher cholesterol levels — but not actual heart attacks, stroke or death, the researchers said.
The study, presented Sunday at the annual meeting of the American Heart Association in Chicago, breaks new ground for being one of the first to look at the effect of work-related stress on women’s health. Most previous studies have focused on men and, yes, those studies found that job stress upped males’ odds for cardiovascular disease, too.
Death of Loved One May Trigger Elevated Heart Rate
SUNDAY, Nov. 14 (HealthDay News) — In the months following the death of a spouse or a child, the surviving spouse or parent may face a higher risk of heart attack or sudden cardiac death due to an increased heart rate, new research suggests.
The risk tends to dissipate within six months, the study authors said.
“While the focus at the time of bereavement is naturally directed toward the deceased person, the health and welfare of bereaved survivors should also be of concern to medical professionals, as well as family and friends,” study lead author Thomas Buckley, acting director of postgraduate studies at the University of Sydney Nursing School in Sydney, Australia, said in an American Heart Association news release.
“Some bereaved,” he added, “especially those already at increased cardiovascular risk, might benefit from medical review, and they should seek medical assistance for any possible cardiac symptoms.”
Exercise And Stress
Even though exercise may not be the most exciting word in your vocabulary, it sure is a word with a lot of benefits. Participating in daily exercise will not only make you healthier in general, but it can also diminish the effects of stress on your body as well.
Think about all the times you have heard someone say “the doctor says it’s stress related”. Normally people will laugh it off, concluding that doctors say that when they don’t know the real answers or diagnosis. The truth of the matter is that too much stress will play a role in many diseases.
To help increase your immune system and decrease your stress level as well, try exercise, as movement is the key word here. Bending, stretching, reaching and walking. There’s really no need to buy any expensive equipment either, as you can implement more movement into your daily routine and reap the benefits.
