I tend to think of SYM as a community, one that has impressed me with its vitality and its willingness to reach out to others over the last several months. In that spirit, I wanted to create a space where information, thoughts, experiences, or whatever can be shared openly. A sort of community resource center, not to take the place of real life support and relationships, but perhaps to augment them in an appropriate way. I have a bit of background in mental health, so I will try to provide relevant information where I can. And if we need advice on really scary things, we can always ask Mr. Sleep.
And before anyone asks me, I am sorry but I will not be able to comment on what exactly is going on with Weasel. I don't think there is a psychological category for that.
Since someone asked about it today, I thought it might be helpful to post something about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. A big topic -- here is a little introduction:
From the DSM IV:
"The essential features of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder is the development of characteristic symptoms following exposure to an extreme traumatic stressor involving direct personal experience of an event that involves actual or threatened death or serious injury, or other threat to one's physical integrity; or witnessing an event that involves death, injury, or a threat to another person; or learning about unexpected or violent death, serious harm, or threat of death or injury experienced by a family member or other close associate... Traumatic events that are experienced directly include, but are not limited to, military combat, violent personal assault, being kidnapped... severe automobile accidents, or being diagnosed with a life threatening illness."
Facts at a Glance
* An estimated 70 percent of adults in the United States have experienced a traumatic event at least once in their lives and up to 20 percent of these people go on to develop post traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD.
* An estimated 5 percent of Americans -- more than 13 million people -- have PTSD at any given time.
* Approximately 8 percent of all adults -- 1 of 13 people in this country -- will develop PTSD during their lifetime.
* An estimated 1 out of 10 women will get PTSD at some time in their lives. Women are about twice as likely as men to develop PTSD.
10 Ways to Recognize Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
1) Re-experiencing the event through vivid memories or flash backs
2) Feeling “emotionally numb” or crying uncontrollably
3) Feeling overwhelmed by what would normally be considered everyday situations and diminished interest in performing normal tasks or pursuing usual interests
4) Erratic or impulsive behavior that shows poor judgment
5) Isolating oneself from family and friends and avoiding social situations
6) Relying increasingly on alcohol or drugs to get through the day
7) Feeling extremely moody, irritable, angry, suspicious or frightened
8) Having difficulty falling or staying asleep, sleeping too much and experiencing nightmares
9) Feeling guilty about surviving the event or being unable to solve the problem, change the event or prevent the disaster
10) Feeling fears and sense of doom about the future
