PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder, is an anxiety disorder triggered by the experience of a life-threatening traumatic event. This disorder is a mental illness, and traumatic memories often scar victims of this disease. To be diagnosed with PTSD, a victim must have been “in a situation [of high] risk for death, serious injury, or sexual violation” (WebMD). Studies show that PTSD is related to changes in brain function. Individuals with pre-existing abnormal brain functions may have a higher chance of having PTSD after experiencing a traumatic event. Using MRI and PET scans, scientists can study the brain to explore this illness, and they have found that more women develop PTSD than men. Can taking medication birth control pills or
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MacLean, the brain can be divided into three parts, the Reptilian brain, which includes the brain and the stem, the Mammalian brain, which includes the limbic and the midbrain, and the Neomammalian brain, which includes the cortex and the forebrain. (psych central). The Reptilian brain gains control during a traumatic experience, causing the body to be extremely reactive (psych central). Then, the brain stem shuts down all body and mind processes that are not essential to survival. Hydrocortisone (C21H30O5), a stress hormone is released by the sympathetic nervous system, preparing “the body to fight, flee or freeze” (psych central). Normally, when the immediate threat is over, the parasympathetic nervous system begins to restore the body by reducing hydrocortisone levels and allowing the brain to shift back to its original state (psych central). However, the brains of 20 percent of these trauma survivors never shift back to a responsive mode. Instead, the “reptilian brain […] holds the survivor in a constant reactive state” (psych central).
Women are twice as likely to develop PTSD than men. Research shows that “60% of men and 50% of women experience a traumatic event during their lifetimes. Of those, 8% of men and 20% of women may develop PTSD” (PTSD.va). This is because women, in general, experience more sexual assault than men and sexual assault is more likely to cause PTSD than any other traumatic event. (PTSD.va). Emerging studies suggest, “the reason for this susceptibility may be the monthly menstrual change in estrogen”
MacLean, the brain can be divided into three parts, the Reptilian brain, which includes the brain and the stem, the Mammalian brain, which includes the limbic and the midbrain, and the Neomammalian brain, which includes the cortex and the forebrain. (psych central). The Reptilian brain gains control during a traumatic experience, causing the body to be extremely reactive (psych central). Then, the brain stem shuts down all body and mind processes that are not essential to survival. Hydrocortisone (C21H30O5), a stress hormone is released by the sympathetic nervous system, preparing “the body to fight, flee or freeze” (psych central). Normally, when the immediate threat is over, the parasympathetic nervous system begins to restore the body by reducing hydrocortisone levels and allowing the brain to shift back to its original state (psych central). However, the brains of 20 percent of these trauma survivors never shift back to a responsive mode. Instead, the “reptilian brain […] holds the survivor in a constant reactive state” (psych central).
Women are twice as likely to develop PTSD than men. Research shows that “60% of men and 50% of women experience a traumatic event during their lifetimes. Of those, 8% of men and 20% of women may develop PTSD” (PTSD.va). This is because women, in general, experience more sexual assault than men and sexual assault is more likely to cause PTSD than any other traumatic event. (PTSD.va). Emerging studies suggest, “the reason for this susceptibility may be the monthly menstrual change in estrogen”