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During and immediately following a traumatic event some form of stress response is to be expected and it might have an impact on your emotional as well as your physical wellbeing. In fact, most people are familiar with the emotional stress response triggered by trauma to be a form of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, not every traumatic stress response can be attributed to PTSD. If the emotional trauma during and immediately following a traumatic event—such as an inability to concentrate or panic attacks in response to any association with the traumatic event—persist for at least two days or up to four weeks, it is more likely acute stress disorder (ASD). While there are some symptom similarities, the diagnosis of PTSD versus ASD has more to do with when emotional limitations occur and how long the symptoms last.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an incapacitating disorder that may occur in individuals who witness or experience dangerous or threatening traumatic events. Individuals who experienced a disaster, witnessed or participated in war, or experienced personal violence are examples of those who might suffer the disorder. There is a biological component to PTSD; the brain structure and function change. The hippocampus gets smaller, the amygdala becomes overactive and thus memory and emotion are affected. Lifelong changes in the brain’s biology result. The frightening event is relived; the individual experiences hyperarousal, fear, and a sense of being unsafe. Memories of the event get muddled because the trauma changes how memories are encoded. Abnormal levels of stress hormones that occur in those with PTSD include lower levels of cortisol (indicating stress exhaustion) and higher levels of epinephrine and norepinephrine (part of the flight or flight response).

Even traumatic events committed in secret against the youngest members of society can produce lasting, more pervasive, effects on health and functioning. For example, early-life traumatic experiences such as childhood sexual abuse may influence the physiology of the developing brain. Later in life there is a chronic hyperarousal of the stress response, making the individual vulnerable to further stress and stress-related disease. The dysfunctional HPA axis stress response might be part of the posttraumatic sequelae associated with the trauma.

While most people do not anticipate the occurrence of traumatic events, it is not uncommon for average citizens to learn how to survive in case of an emergency and only deal with PTSD or ASD should the traumatic event occur. What about those who live lives full of danger and uncertainty? Whether they are members of the police force, the fire department, an emergency response team, or the armed forces, lack of preparation in managing the numerous stressful events that they experience and witness can leave them unable to continue answering the call of duty.

This population whose professions expose them to traumatic events can learn to:

· Assess their response to stress,

· Be mindful of physiological and emotional changes, and

· Employ relaxation techniques to minimize the stress response.

Having a variety of self-assessment and care skills is helpful in bringing the body back into balance and preventing long-term health consequences of traumatic stress.

*Disclaimer: This Learning Resource is not meant to assist in the diagnosis of any disorder. As always, please consult with your primary care physician if you suspect you or a loved one may be dealing with any medical illness.

© 2012 Laureate Education, Inc. 1