PsychSense: Sensible Psychological Solutions

The main cause of PTSD is exposure to a severe stress that results in fear and helplessness. The stress may be caused by intentional or unintentional human actions or nature. Intentional trauma is thought by some to be more traumatic then unintentional harm. A partial listing of possible stressors is below.

 Intentional traumas

•  War 
• Abuse, sexual and physical
• Personal assault
• Hostage
• Terrorism
• Kidnapping
• Victim Crime
• Witness to violence (murder/ suicide)

 Unintentional traumas and natural disasters

• Fires

• Accidents

• Sudden death of a loved one

• Storms of all types

Risk Factors for PTSD

• 25% of people exposed to trauma will develop PTSD

• Women are at twice the risk of getting PTSD then men.

• Biochemical makeup 

• Childhood abuse may sensitive the nervous system to future PTSD with minimal stress

• Guilt may increase the risk of PTSD

• Mixed feelings about the stress (such as in combat) may increase the risk of PTSD

 Watch for future discussion of what you can do to avoid PTSD.