Changing Thought Patterns Crucial in Treating PTSD

Changing Thought Patterns Crucial in Treating PTSD
Jan 16, 2008
BY Kimberly Gearhart, USAG Schweinfurt Public Affairs Office
It's normal and adaptive for Soldiers to experience heightened fear responses following combat experience. But if the occurrences don't subside within a few months, professional medical help may be needed.

They are easily irritated, react suddenly and unexpectedly to loud noises, or become withdrawn and unwilling to communicate. Understandably, this can be frustrating for family members. But the situation usually improves with time.

If it doesn't, then it may be time to seek professional help.

People who experience a frightening, traumatic event - such as many do during war - often react with heightened levels of arousal and fear. Memories of the event are painful, and may trigger a fear response similar to that caused by the original event.

"It's normal" and adaptive to experience these heightened fear responses, said social work care manager Rick Thompson. "But most people, over a period of time, usually around three months, get back to normal."

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, occurs when a person gets "stuck" in the grip of that fear. The cause, though not completely understood, appears to be both neurobiological - a result of chemical reactions in the brain - and also related to the way the patient thinks.

The chemical aspect of the disorder may be treatable with medications, but the thought processes that foster and perpetuate the disorder are often difficult to change.

Click post title for the rest
more on this tomorrow.