The Traumatic Events That Lead... free essay sample

The Traumatic Events That Lead To PSTSDPost-Traumatic stress disorder is a common mental health issues which affects individuals with past traumatic events. According to Malan Stefanie, a Professor of Psychiatric Genetics in Stellenbosch University who did a research on PTSD, her research shows that, PSTD can affect individuals which includes children, adolescent, military personnel and adult who has witness or experienced a life- threatening trauma. Someone who was been sexually abused, kidnap or has experience a life-threatening trauma, may also suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. In all honesty, I did not hear the term Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) until a friend of mine (Sandra)was diagnosed with this Post traumatic stress disorder by an expert in August 2013. Sandra was sexually assault and emotionally abused at the age of fourteen by her step-father in Ghana west- Africa. This traumatic event from her step- father continued for years, whenever her mother was n ot at home. We will write a custom essay sample on The Traumatic Events That Lead or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page She complained to her mother without mentioning her step fathers name and how he assaulted and raped her when she was not at home. Sandras mother (Susan) refused to believe her daughter. Susan chose to protect her marriage instead of protecting Sandra. (Mr. Owusu) Sandras step-father continued to abuse her for four years until Sandra was seventeen years old.Few months later after Sandra had turn seventeen, she packed her stuff and escaped from her home to leave on the street. She lived on the street for fifteen months before she met a lady named Ms. Sarah, who took Sandra as her own daughter and provide accommodation and shelter. She also helped her to further her education until she finished her high school. Unfortunately, Ms. Sarah died in a car accident a couple of months after Sandra graduated high school education. She was depressed and affected with stressed disorder. In Ghana, some people thought she crazy, and others called her evil child because she acted strange. An unfamiliar symptom of PTSD may not surface for months or years after an actual event occurred, and it may come and go. According to Bernstein, David P and Laura Fink stated that, A patients with child abuse or traumatic history may have a flashback persists over time and disrupt the persons daily life. This friend of mine began to experience a series of common physical ailments such as migraines, dizziness, fatigue, chest pain, difficulties breathing, and stomach aches. She would Scream, Gifty! Please help me Im having a sharp Pains on my chest. Gifty and family helped and took her to the hospital. Sometimes, while taking a walk with her she would stop walking and sit on the floor. Gifty would ask, Sandra whats wrong with you? She would reply, Im feeling dizzy. This happened several times whenever she walks for a distance. A few months later, Sandra started to yell and fight by saying, Please Mr. Owusu dont do this to me! God please help me. whenever she was sleeping. The next day, she would yell Please! Somebody help me he is killing me!. Her friend will rash to her bed but there was nobody in the bed with her. It was very difficult to understand her. She always wants to spend more time alone and disengaged herself from most activities that create a good bond between our family and friendship. Post-traumatic stress disorder also known has PTSD forms part of anxiety disorder. At the point of the traumatic event a person intrusive recall and start to become emotionally and frozen. Said, Malan, et al (2011, Vol. 28 Issue 12, p1081-1085). For example, during the American civil war many of the solider who survived were observed with a very much like PTSD because of the trauma events the observed and went through during the war. These made them experiences of flashbacks, and traumatic play syndrome.