Anxiety disorders are one of the most prevalent mental health problems in the UK, with 4.7% of the population experiencing these issues, yet this disorder is still under treated and under diagnosed (Mental Health Statistics: Anxiety, 2014). A household survey of adults in the UK estimated prevalence rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) being 2.6% in men and 3.3% of women (McManus et al., 2007). It has also been found that first responders such as police and ambulance personal are more likely to be exposed to traumatic events and in turn develop PTSD.
Symptoms of PTSD:
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) (American Psychiatric Association, 2013), diagnosis of PTSD requires exposure to an …show more content…
Zhang et al (2014) conducted research into the relationship of the hippocampus and the amygdala in coal miners suffering from PTSD after surviving a gas explosion, Zhang took MRI scans of miners and a control group and found those with PTSD had significantly decreased grey matter volume in the hippocampus and amygdala, and concluded that the decrease in volume may be associated with dysfunctional emotional memory …show more content…
It is now understood that there are clear biological changes that occur with PTSD as well as psychological ones, it is also difficult to treat PTSD solely because this disorder often develops with other problems such as depression, problems with memory and problems of mental health (Breslau, 2030). It is clear that PTSD does affect the biological system as well as how the person processes information and memories, which shows that when a person has PTSD they will be affected physiologically and psychologically (Henry, 1993). When it comes to treatment it also seems that both approaches work hand in hand and it seems that the most successful treatment are those that use drugs as well as therapy together (Hetrick et al., 2010). It is vital that a person with PTSD undergoes therapy because they need to understand how to change their irrational thoughts of the traumatic events into those they can cope with (Morgan, 2003) and this would not be possible to do with the sole use of
Symptoms of PTSD:
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) (American Psychiatric Association, 2013), diagnosis of PTSD requires exposure to an …show more content…
Zhang et al (2014) conducted research into the relationship of the hippocampus and the amygdala in coal miners suffering from PTSD after surviving a gas explosion, Zhang took MRI scans of miners and a control group and found those with PTSD had significantly decreased grey matter volume in the hippocampus and amygdala, and concluded that the decrease in volume may be associated with dysfunctional emotional memory …show more content…
It is now understood that there are clear biological changes that occur with PTSD as well as psychological ones, it is also difficult to treat PTSD solely because this disorder often develops with other problems such as depression, problems with memory and problems of mental health (Breslau, 2030). It is clear that PTSD does affect the biological system as well as how the person processes information and memories, which shows that when a person has PTSD they will be affected physiologically and psychologically (Henry, 1993). When it comes to treatment it also seems that both approaches work hand in hand and it seems that the most successful treatment are those that use drugs as well as therapy together (Hetrick et al., 2010). It is vital that a person with PTSD undergoes therapy because they need to understand how to change their irrational thoughts of the traumatic events into those they can cope with (Morgan, 2003) and this would not be possible to do with the sole use of