PTSD: What Everyone Needs to Know®

Cover
PTSD
Copyright
Contents
Introduction
	What are some types of traumas?
	What are emotional stressors that aren’t usually considered to be traumatic, and why is this so?
	Who experiences trauma?
	What is posttraumatic stress disorder?
	Why do some people develop PTSD and not others?
	What are some common traumatic events that can lead to PTSD?
	How long has PTSD existed?
	What are some treatments for PTSD?
	Are human beings resilient?
1  How Do People React to Trauma?
	What are some common reactions to trauma?
	What are some risk factors for longer term problems following trauma?
	Can you give some examples?
	Who is likely to get PTSD and who will be OK?
	What are common risk factors for trauma-​related problems?
	What is a helpful framework to better understand how we experience trauma?
	What is posttraumatic growth?
	What about physical health or chronic pain following a traumatic event?
	Is it possible to prevent the harmful effects of trauma?
	How do thoughts, emotions, and behaviors relate to each other?
	Does treatment affect the trauma memory?
	What is good advice following a trauma?
2  What Help Is Available to Those Who Have Experienced Trauma?
	What do rape survivors need immediately after the assault?
	Cynthia’s night at the ER
	What is interpersonal violence, and what do survivors need?
	What can you do if you suspect childhood abuse?
	What about survivors of natural disasters?
	Who are first responders, and what are their needs?
	What do military service members and Veterans need?
	Can you provide an example of a military service member who experienced a traumatic event?
	What about burn survivors?
	What are common needs of trauma survivors?
	What should you not say to a trauma survivor?
	What do families of survivors need?
	How can you help yourself?
	How can you help others who have survived trauma?
	How do PTSD sufferers handle the reactions of those who love them?
	What can survivors tell close friends and family members after a traumatic experience?
	Does exercise help?
	What are other services that aren’t actual treatment?
	Is there such thing as needing to be ready for treatment?
	How soon after the trauma should a survivor wait to get treatment?
	What type of early intervention did Lucia receive in the ER?
3  What Is PTSD?
	What are the symptoms of PTSD?
	What are the DSM and ICD?
	How can you tell the difference between chronic grief and PTSD?
	What are some other non-​PTSD problems that can develop after a trauma?
	What about people who have some symptoms but may not meet the full diagnostic criteria for PTSD?
	Does it mean that you are weak if you have PTSD?
	Isn’t PTSD the “war Veterans’ disease?”
	Are there genetic factors that impact PTSD?
	Are there other risk factors for developing PTSD?
	What about people who develop PTSD and substance abuse?
	What are the consequences of having PTSD?
	How is PTSD diagnosed? Is there a blood test for it?
	How common is PTSD?
	What online tools are available for people who want to learn more about trauma survivors and PTSD?
4  What Are the Treatments for PTSD?
	What kinds of people treat PTSD? How do I know if they are good?
	What kinds of therapies help PTSD?
	What is prolonged exposure (PE)?
	What is cognitive therapy?
	What is cognitive processing therapy (CPT)?
	What is eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)?
	What does evidence-​based care mean?
	What about other treatments?
	What tools or resources are available for people working through PTSD treatment?
	What online tools or apps are available for people in treatment   for PTSD?
	Are there medications for PTSD?
	What about yoga and other wellness activities?
	What is sleep hygiene, and why is it important?
	What does “exposure” mean for a trauma survivor?
	Has any organization rated treatments for PTSD?
	Does the PTSD sufferer’s preference matter?
	How can we tell if the treatment is working?
	What can survivors do if they feel like dropping out of treatment?
	What about booster sessions?
	What if treatment didn’t work?
	What about anniversary reactions?
	Can you provide an example of what treatment would look like?
5  How Are Children Impacted by Trauma?
	Is trauma common in children?
	How important are caregivers in children’s experience of trauma?
	What about neglect?
	Jonathan’s abusive father
	Does trauma impact schooling?
	Do children get depressed or have PTSD after trauma?
	How are trauma reactions different in children?
	What should we do after a child has been exposed to  a traumatic event?
	Are there treatments for children with PTSD?
	How important is it for children to hear repeatedly,  “It was not your fault”?
Afterword: A Message of Hope and Resources
	A message of hope
	How to find a provider
	PTSD resources
Afterword in the Face of the Covid-19 Pandemic
INDEX