Whata can you tell me about Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?

A close friend of mine told me he/she has PTSD. That person was raped as a child, I tried all i could to help them. (the rapist was put in prison) They are also in the military, but i dont think PTSD as to do with them being in the military, cause they like it.

What does PTSD do to someone, how can I help them? They dont talk about it, they are taking meds for it.

there's not a lot you can do... they should see a therapist who is trained

PTSD is caused by a tramatuic event like your friend's rape.. and it oculd be a result of hte military even if your freind likes it.

it cause sthem to have difficulty moving past the event and forming normal relationships. The best thing you can do is be there for yoru firend by theyyyyy neeeeeeeeeeeed to see a licensed psychologist who can help them

here are some articles
:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post_trauma...

http://www.ncptsd.va.gov/ncmain/index.js...

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/healthinformatio...

http://www.mentalhealth.com/dis/p20-an06...

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/postt...

The symptoms of PTSD usually begin within 3 months of the traumatic event. However, sometimes they surface many years later. The duration of PTSD, and the strength of the symptoms, vary. For some people, recovery may be achieved in 6 months; for others, it may take much longer.

There are three categories of symptoms. The first involves re-experiencing the event. This is the main characteristic of PTSD and it can happen in different ways. Most commonly the person has powerful, recurrent memories of the event, or recur-rent nightmares or flashbacks in which they re-live their distressing experience. The anniversary of the triggering event, or situations which remind them of it, can also cause extreme discomfort. Avoidance and emotional numbing are the second category of symptoms. The first occurs when people with PTSD avoid encountering scenarios which may remind them of the trauma. Emotional numbing generally begins very soon after the event. A person with PTSD may withdraw from friends and family, they may lose interest in activities they previously enjoyed and have difficulty feeling emotions, especially those associated with intimacy. Feelings of extreme guilt are also common.

People with PTSD may develop a dependence on drugs or alcohol. They may become depressed. It is not uncommon for another anxiety disorder to be present at the same time as PTSD. As well, dizziness, chest pain, gastrointestinal complaints and immune system problems may be linked to PTSD. These are often treated as self-contained illnesses; the link with PTSD will be revealed only if a patient volunteers information about a traumatic event, or if a doctor investigates a possible link with psychological trauma.

The best thing you can do for your friend is be there for support.

My ex was a cop with PTSD. It does also affect the military. When he was in the Coast Guard a boat caught on fire and he was nearly trampled by people trying to escape. As a cop he saw the worst possible side of human beings. He wouldn't talk about it, drugs didn't help. He couldn't sleep because he was hyper-vigilant and on the alert all the time. Any form of change, good or bad, drove him nuts.It broke us up. I don't know what could help these people.

PTSD--A Normal Reaction to an Abnormal Experience
http://watchtower.org/library/g/1998/3/2...

Coping With Post-traumatic Stress
- When Terror Strikes
- PTSD--What Is It?
- Traumatic Stress Will End!
- Symptoms of Post-traumatic Stress
http://watchtower.org/library/g/2001/8/2...

Help for Battered Women! :
- "Maybe This Time He'll Change"
- Why Do Men Batter Women?
- Help for Battered Women
- Machismo--A Global Problem
- Correcting Misconceptions
- "Sometimes I Think I Am Dreaming!" (a successful outcome)
http://watchtower.org/e/20011108/article...

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