Snippets from The American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress’ Trauma Response E-News

Traumatic Stress, Hurricanes and Young Children

A study conducted at the University of Miami School of Medicine found that preschool-age children commonly exhibit symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) after exposure to a life-threatening hurricane. Based upon reports from mothers, 16.5% of exposed children met the diagnostic criteria for PTSD one year after a hurricane and 11.6% continued to exhibit PTSD symptomatology eighteen months after. The presence of PTSD places young children at increased risk for failure to achieve normal development in cognitive, social, and emotional skills.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in America

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, an estimated 5.2 million American adults ages 18 to 54 have PTSD.

Events Leading to PTSD

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, the traumatic events most often associated with PTSD for men are rape, combat exposure, and childhood neglect and physical abuse. The most traumatic events for women are rape, sexual molestation, physical attack, being threatened with a weapon, and childhood physical abuse.

Paratroopers and PTSD

The results of a recent military study show that 17.4 percent of paratroopers returning from service in Iraq are suffering from PTSD.

 

Comments

[jen light]

Hey, I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciate this site. I am living with PTSD and I found you by doing a search on blogger.

You have, in me, a new reader :)

[m3]

Hey there, the same goes for me. I did a blog search and found your blog. It's nice to see that you inform us more about PTSD-as when I was diagnosed with it, nobody really told me anything else about it. Thanks!