Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (2)

Women are more likely than men to experience PTSD and certain populations are more at risk : young adults ; people with a history of other psychiatric illnesses ; and those who are single, divorced, or widowed. Sexual assault is the most common cause of PTSD in women, whereas PTSD is most often combat-related in men.

Within the veteran population, findings(1) show that nearly 17 % of those returning from Operation Iraqi Freedom tested positive for PTSD, anxiety or depression twelve months after returning to the U.S. These soldiers exhibit a higher burden of risk of other illnesses such as lumbosacral spine disorders, lower extremity joint disorders, headache, tendonitis and myalgia.

All nurses need to be familiar with the symptoms of PTSD and aware of the screening tools.(2) They must assess for suicidal ideation and refer the patient to another professional if treatment falls outside their scope of practice.

Nurses need to give reassurance and let patients know that what they are experiencing is a normal reaction to a traumatic experience, and that there are a number of treatment options, including a variety of cognitive-behavior therapies, and the judicious use of select psychiatric medications. Complementary and alternative therapies are being considered by the U.S. Veterans Affairs Department.

Article basé sur PTSD Among Our Returning Veterans, Auteur : Sabella, Donna MEd, MSN, PhD, RN AJN, American Journal of Nursing : November 2012 - Volume 112 - Issue 11 - p 48–52 doi: 10.1097/01.NAJ.0000422255.95706.40