PTSD on PBS

Posttraumatic stress disorder – PTSD – is an anxiety disorder following a traumatic event that can disrupt all aspects of a person’s life. You might be hearing about it in the news, on TV dramas, and maybe from people you know who have served in Iraq or Afghanistan. Actually, it’s more common than you might think – researchers estimate that at least 50 percent of us will experience or witness a traumatic event in our lives, and many of us will experience PTSD symptoms. An upcoming three-part documentary series, This Emotional Life (PBS, January 4-6, 2010) reveals the serious impact that PTSD can have on sufferers’ lives, with a special look at its impact on service members and their families. Watch the trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMshm6UpYVE

In this video, Dr. Barbara Rothbaum, Director of the Trauma and Anxiety Recovery Program at Emory University School of Medicine, discusses the fundamental questions about PTSD. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQ5v4YYafL4

And according to experts in the series, here’s a Q&A about PTSD, why it’s important for us to understand, and how to recognize the signs – and get help.

Q: What is PTSD?
A: After experiencing a traumatic event, it is natural to feel distress and upsetting feelings. In many cases, the lingering emotional effects go away after a few months, but when they persist for many months and cause difficulties in many aspects of life – from work to sleep to interactions with others – it is symptomatic of PTSD. Common situations that can lead to PTSD include witnessing or experiencing terrible injury or danger to a loved one, rape, assault, and war.

Q: What are the symptoms of PTSD?
A: There are three “clusters” of symptoms of PTSD. The first are the “re-experiencing the trauma” symptoms like nightmares and flashbacks. The next are the “avoidance” symptoms – sufferers don’t want to talk about their experiences and will often shut down emotionally. The third group of symptoms is the “physical arousal” symptoms group, including hyper-vigilance, exaggerated startle response, problems sleeping and concentrating, and irritability.

Q: Can PTSD be treated?
A: There are several options for treatment for PTSD. People can learn to be the people they were before the treatment – it doesn’t happen for everyone, but there are many examples. Treatment strategies that have demonstrated success include cognitive behavioral therapy, exposure therapy (“re-living” or re-telling the experience in a controlled way), eye-movement therapy, and medication. Learn more about these approaches.

Q: How does PTSD impact people who serve in the military?
A: PTSD is complex for members of the military who return home from war. Not only do members of the armed forces witness or experience traumatic scenarios and events, but they often come home to families, colleagues and neighbors who can’t imagine what war is like. It can be an overwhelming experience, and many service members show signs of PTSD; some studies show it approaches 30 percent returning from combat. It’s critically important for veterans to receive the support they need – both professionally and from their communities. Watch this video from Iraq veteran, Bob, who shares his experience with this difficult condition.

Bonus:

Check out the “Perspectives” feature of the This Emotional Life Web site, with video clips, behind-the-scenes interviews, and blogs from celebrities, experts, and amazing real people featured in the project. From stress to happiness to PTSD and resilience, “Perspectives” connects people with stories and conditions and expert insight that’s only available here. www.pbs.org/thisemotionallife/perspectives

Follow the project on Facebook: www.Facebook.com/ThisEmotionalLife

PBS on Facebook and Twitter: www.Facebook.com/PBS and www.twitter.com/pbs

Ben Wakana
On behalf of This Emotional Life
t| 617.692.0505
c| 617.834.6709
w| www.pbs.org/thisemotionallife

Premiering January 4, 2010

Started a new Blog

I have started a new blog, I will probably go back here and publish more stuff, but a lot of this blog has to do with the suffering I have experienced. I wanted to create a site that was a little different than that, so you can see my new page here at:
www.nevadog.com

Again, come back here and check on me every now and again but most of my posting is now over at my new page. I hope you like it!

I am home

I just spent 4 months in Iraq and I am now home again...

My daughter and me at Disney

just got back from Iraq 3 days ago and in time for Naya's birthday. We are at Disney World today.

My Father and I, can you tell who is who?

Today at the beach with my 2 Brothers

Happy Daughter

Angry Daughter

On the back roads about 50 miles north of Tampa Florida

My day

31 March 2009

I'm tired today, my legs are sore and I have been rather stressed lately. I'm doing well though, I have my children and I have a job and that is more than some people have these days with the rate of layoffs occurring in our economy.

So being grateful... I am grateful. My son is sitting next to me as I type and I am glad to be able to hug him and have him near. My daughter is in her gymnastics class and doing well. I really have no complaints. The drama about the guy who attempted to use my blog to meet women has died down (or so it seems to me) and for that I'm glad.

I should do some more videos for all of you as well as begin writing on that novel; or starting a new one until I can decide what to do with the story on the one I posted. One last thing, I realized recently that I have been over-using the word douche (as in that car is douche, or that guy is a douche bag), in doing that (over-using this word) I in fact have been sounding like a douche.

That is about it for me right now. I will begin work at once on my writing again and until next time, take care.

Zach