Related Anxiety Disorders

Post-traumatic stress disorder, also known as PTSD, is an anxiety disorder. PTSD affects many people. In fact, about 5 million cases of PTSD occur each year in this country. Approximately 7 percent to 8 percent of the population in the United States will experience PTSD.

 

Post-traumatic stress disorder develops when a person experiences something very traumatic or witnesses something very traumatic happening to someone else.

 

Symptoms of PTSD are often recurrent and can be either frequent or very sporadic. PTSD symptoms will generally appear within three months of experiencing a traumatic event or witnessing a traumatic event happen to someone else, though in some cases PTSD can appear more quickly. In some cases, it can take years for symptoms to appear.

 

PTSD also puts people at risk for a number of other complications, including panic anxiety disorders and other anxiety disorders. Some of the more common related anxiety disorders and problems that PTSD sufferers may develop include:

Treating anxiety disorders along with PTSD will be necessary for a full recovery.

 

When PTSD sufferers develop extra anxiety disorders and health issues, their condition is often referred to as complex PTSD. Complex PTSD sufferers may have changes in behavior and temperament as well, including aggressive and irritable behavior.

 

No matter which anxiety disorders a person develops along with PTSD, all symptoms must be addressed and dealt with. Many of these will be helped by the same medications that will help with the depression and anxiety caused by PTSD. In many cases, a combination of medication and therapy will be needed to address any and all health problems and anxiety disorders.

In women, anxiety disorders and pregnancy can be an added problem. Pregnant women may experience symptoms differently than other people and may not be able to take certain medications while pregnant. Switching medications may be necessary during pregnancy and possibly even after pregnancy and during breastfeeding.

 

Anxiety may also increase in pregnant women, especially during the first trimester of pregnancy. Studies and research have also shown that women who are pregnant and have anxiety disorders may be more prone to early delivery, babies with low birth weight and other complications of pregnancy. Thus, pregnant women with anxiety disorders should be closely monitored by a doctor throughout their pregnancies.

 

After giving birth, pregnant women may also experience post-partum depression, a disorder that creates severe depression and causes women to sometimes not be able to care for a newborn child.

Post-traumatic stress disorder can cause sleeping difficulty and sleeping disorders in many people. Often, flashbacks of whatever traumatic triggered PTSD are relived during disturbing dreams. This can make it difficult for PTSD sufferers to stay asleep and may even make them not want to go to sleep.

 

In some cases, medications that address depression and anxiety may help with flashbacks and sleeping issues. However, in other cases a PTSD sufferer may also need a medication to act as a sleep aid.