Lecture
The etiology of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) includes a variety of factors that can lead to the development of this psychological condition. PTSD typically arises in response to one or more traumatic events, and these factors can vary depending on the specific situation. Here are the main factors associated with the etiology of PTSD:
Traumatic event: PTSD generally begins with a traumatic event or series of events that cause severe stress and a threat to a person's life, physical integrity, or psychological well-being. Examples include combat, accidents, sexual violence, domestic violence, natural disasters, and other similar situations.
Intense fear and helplessness: It is often important for the development of PTSD that the person felt intensely frightened and helpless during or after the traumatic event. The degree of fear and helplessness can influence the development and severity of PTSD.
Personal factors: Certain personality factors can increase vulnerability to developing PTSD. These factors include a predisposition to anxiety, a history of depression or other mental disorders, recent stressful events, as well as social support and coping strategies.
Intensity of the trauma: The severity and intensity of the traumatic event can also affect the likelihood of developing PTSD. The more horrific and destructive the event, the greater the chances of developing PTSD.
Social support: The level of social support a person receives after the trauma can also play an important role. Having a supportive family, friends, or professional help can reduce the risk of developing PTSD.
Use of adaptive strategies: The ways in which a person copes with trauma and stress can also affect the development of PTSD. Adaptive strategies, such as talking to a psychotherapist or using healthy stress-regulation mechanisms, can reduce the risk of PTSD.
Duration of the traumatic experience: The longer the traumatic experience lasts, or the more prolonged the stressor, the higher the likelihood of developing PTSD.
At the core of the etiology of PTS, in the view of most researchers
on this topic, lies psychological trauma — an event capable of causing
psychological stress. In all cases, the event that became the cause of
the psychological trauma is extraordinary for the individual and is accompanied by
fear, horror, and a feeling of helplessness. Post-traumatic stress is
the body's reaction to an event (or events) that go beyond the boundaries
of normal human experience. More briefly, this definition can be stated
as follows: post-traumatic stress is a normal
reaction to an abnormal situation (abnormal circumstances).
There is a list of situations leading to PTS.
A. Natural
a) climatic (hurricanes, tornadoes, floods);
b) seismic (earthquakes, volcanic eruptions)
B. Human-caused
accidents:
a) transport-related (road, rail, water, aviation);
b) industrial;
c) explosions (chemical, in mines, at military depots);
d) fires (burns, smoke inhalation);
e) biological (viral, bacteriological, toxemia);
f) chemical (toxic gases, liquids, solids);
g) nuclear (radiation, radioactive contamination).
intentional:
a) terrorism;
b) riots, uprisings, social unrest;
c) wars.
A traumatic situation becomes an event, a trauma, depending
on dispositional factors and, above all, on the nature of the individual's perception and
evaluation of the event. The danger need not necessarily
be real; it may exist only in the person's imagination.
For example, radiation as a real danger, and radiophobia. The nature of their
effect on a person's psyche can be practically identical
in terms of the distress caused, and psychological help is necessary in both
cases. The traumatizing effect of the situation is intensified by the victim's psychological
and physical weakness.
In the development of post-traumatic stress disorders, an important role
is played by the following situational factors: the suddenness and unexpectedness
of the stress (explosions, disasters, natural calamities); the cruelty
of what is happening, as in military actions or terrorist attacks;
insufficient social support.
The number of people with psychological disorders can be significantly
greater than the number of those directly affected, since family members, witnesses,
rescuers, and others become involved in such experiences.
PTSD is a complex psychological disorder, and its development depends on a multitude of factors. Understanding these factors can help in developing more effective methods of preventing and treating PTSD.
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