Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is on the Raise Essay

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is defined as mental health disorder triggered by a terrifying event (Mayo Clinic). This ordeal could be the result of some sort of physical harm or threat to the individual, family members, friends or even strangers (NIMH). While PTSD is typically associated with someone who has served in the military, it can affect more than just that genre of individuals. It could affect rape victims, victims in a terrorist or natural disaster incident, nurses, doctors, and police and fire personnel and bystanders. PTSD can manifest itself in many forms. The primary signs and symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder include but are not limited to re-experiencing symptoms (flashbacks, bad dreams, frightening†¦show more content†¦Of those who do, 8% of men and 20% of women will develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (August 2013). A study was done on 810 nurses from a University hospital by having them fill out a detailed questionnaire. Of the 810 nurses, 332 responded by completing their questionnaire. The results showed that 22% had symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and 61% met the diagnostic criteria of PTSD (Depressed Anxiety, 2009). This study shows a high rate of PTSD among nurses but the percentages could be higher due to many not reporting or admitting they have symptoms. Another study done in Australia showed that nurses in remote areas are more likely to experience violent crimes in the workplace which can lead to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. In this study 349 nurses working in remote areas of Australia responded. 88.5% were female in the age range of 20-68 years. In the 12 months preceding the survey, the workplace violence incidents that were the highest are verbal aggression (79.5%), property damage (31.6%), and physical violence (28.6%) (trends in workplace violence in remote areas). This survey provides a statistically significant correlation between workplace violence and PTSD symptoms. It is n o surprise that Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is on the rise and is considered an occupational hazard for nurses. The National Institute of Mental Health calculates that 7.7 million adults or 3.5 % of the adult populationShow MoreRelatedKurt Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse-Five -- A Great American Novel1383 Words   |  6 PagesAfter serving in World War Two, Kurt Vonnegut wrote Slaughterhouse-Five about his experiences through Billy Pilgrim, the protagonist in the novel. Slaughterhouse-Five is a dark novel about war and death. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a mental disease that inflicts people who endured a traumatic event. Some of the common symptoms include flashbacks and creating alternate worlds which Billy Pilgrim experienced various times throughout Slaughterhouse-Five. 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