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Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ( Ptsd )

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Sarah Richards Post Traumatic Stress Disorder March 9, 2015 SW 612 Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that may develop after an exposure to a terrifying event in which physical harm occurred or was threatened. Usually, the anxiety may be brought on by an “exposure to an actual or threatened death, serious injury or sexual violence “(American Psychiatric Association, 2013, pg. 271). Only recently have children and youth been deemed to have experienced PTSD and usually undergo therapy, medication and various treatment options to minimize the impact PTSD has on one’s life. Throughout this paper, I will be discussing the development of the disorder, how PTSD symptoms differ in children, treatment options, and a clinical case example. According to the American Psychiatric Association, exhibiting symptoms of PTSD may include avoidance of stimuli associated with traumatic event, negative alterations in cognitions and mood associated with traumatic events, disturbances that cause significant distress or impairment in social and occupational or other important areas of functioning. Disturbances have to last longer than a month in order to be classified as PTSD (American Psychiatric Association, 2013, pg. 273). “Studies show that about 15% to 43% of girls and 14% to 43% of boys go through at least one trauma. Of those children and teens who have had a trauma, 3% to 15% of girls and 1% to 6% of boys develop PTSD. Rates of PTSD are higher

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