POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER

Essay by Anonymous UserUniversity, Bachelor's January 1996

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POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder is a condition from which nearly 10% of Americans suffer. It, unlike other afflictions, is associated with a wide variety of circumstances. Many war veterans suffer from Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. However, a new group of people are quickly emerging as common suffers of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder-sexually abused children. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder is a prevalent problem associated with children who are victims of sexual assault.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder is classified as an anxiety disorder under the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Disorders (DSM-III). The diagnoses for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder was not formally diagnosed as part of DSM-III until 1980. According to Famolaro, 'the diagnoses of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder requires: (a) experience of a significant traumatic events; (b) re-experiencing of the trauma in one of several different thought, emotional, or behavioral forms; (d) persistent symptoms of increased arousal, Particularly when exposedto stimuli concretely or symbolically reminiscent of the trauma; (e) symptoms lasting at least one month.

(Famolaro, Maternal and Child Posttraumatic... 28)'.

Children are now becoming realized as significant sufferers of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder is particularly bad for children under the age of 11, because they lack many of the skills needed to protect themselves. Furthermore, this vulnerability is enhanced when the child is exposed to any maltreatment. According to recent studies, 'Posttraumatic Stress Disorder is a common sequella of severe or chronic maltreatment of children, particularly among sexually maltreated children ( Famularo, Symptom Differences... 28)'. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder can be caused if the child is exposed to just one traumatic episode (rape, witnessing a violent crime, physical abuse); However, the child will become more susceptible to Posttraumatic Stress Disorder if the maltreatment continues. Moreover, a child is most likely to suffer from symptoms associated with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder...