Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that sometimes occurs in victims of trauma, such as those in military combat or severe traffic accidents. This disorder is very distressing to those who experience it, with symptoms ranging from nightmares and flashbacks of the traumatic event to irritability, withdrawal, and insomnia. War veterans are at a much higher risk of developing PTSD than the normal population, because of the prolonged exposure to traumatic scenes and events.
After World War I, many veterans returned home and were labeled as having "shell shock." This layman's term is basically a different name for PTSD, except that it only occurs in veterans of war. Increasing numbers of veterans are being diagnosed with PTSD nowadays, and there are also high numbers of rape victims and refugees who are being diagnosed with it as well. Obviously, this is a big problem in America and worldwide, but the good news is that there are several treatments for the disorder.
One rather controversial treatment for PTSD is called exposure therapy, or in vivo exposure. This treatment aims to reduce anxiety and other disturbing symptoms of PTSD by "flooding" the victim with thoughts of the traumatic event in a controlled setting. If it sounds like it would be scary, it probably is. Many people with this disorder try to avoid thoughts of the event as much as possible. Exposure therapy encourages people to face their fears while in the company of a trained professional. Psychologists and counselors usually have the victim picture the event in great detail, while simultaneously training him or her to relax. After some time, the traumatic event is less disturbing to the individual because they have learned to relax while thinking about it. Reportedly, many people have been greatly helped through exposure therapy.
But if this sounds too good to be true, it may be. Some studies herald this treatment as being one of the most effective for victims of PTSD, while other studies indicate that there is no evidence that it works at all. Still other studies list exposure therapy with treatments that may cause psychological harm. Like many other topics in psychology and science in general, we just don't know yet whether this treatment is a good thing or not. The best bet for a victim of PTSD searching for effective treatments is to talk to a mental health professional who can help you choose the best treatment for your situation and personality.
