We’ve been talking about mental health conditions that have an unfortunate relationship to suicide. This week we begin a two part series on PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) and suicide. In Part I we will explore what is PTSD, who can get it, and what causes it. 

This condition has gotten a lot of recent attention in the media, largely because of efforts from the VA.  However, it affects more than just combat vets.  Anyone who has gone through a traumatic event can develop PTSD.  A traumatic event is defined as an event where you believed your life was in danger. That can include things such as rape, abuse, car accidents, acts of terror, combat, even natural disasters. While it is normal to feel shaken, sad, or traumatized after such events, most people eventually are able to “move on.” People who develop PTSD are still struggling 30 days or more after the incident. 

Common symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder are intrusive thoughts, trouble sleeping, problems remembering things, hypervigilance, changes in mood, and avoidance.  It is not uncommon for those who suffer from PTSD to self-medicate in order to numb out from their trauma.  The more trauma you experience the more likely you are to develop symptoms.  Repeated trauma such as that experienced by victims of domestic violence or child abuse is often linked to PTSD. Similarly, first responders or combat vets who experience multiple traumatic events are also at greater risk for developing it. (We explore trauma’s effect on the brain in this week’s blog, What Trauma Does to the Brain.)