Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Mental health disorders are among the most common conditions in the world, affecting individuals of different socials classes, age and gender. They are caused by various environmental factors, including genetic exposure of individuals. The post-traumatic stress disorder is one of the conditions that is triggered by a terrifying event and in which the individual either witnesses or experiences it themselves and results in symptoms such as severe anxiety, nightmares and flashbacks (Westfall & Nemeroff, 2018). This can occur together with the presence of uncontrollable thoughts about the situation. This paper will discuss PTSD resulting from childhood neglect and terrorist attack exposure.
PTSD from Childhood Neglect
Children usually undergo a series of development and body changes as they grow up. However, repeated adverse childhood experiences have the capacity to affect the brain, body and the nervous system and probably the whole life of an individual (Brewin, Rumball & Happé, 2019). Child neglect involves abandonment, lack of the necessary supervision and attendance of emotional and psychological needs and failure of to offer the basic needs such as medical care, nourishment, education, clothing and shelter (Westfall & Nemeroff, 2018). This results in repeated traumatic situations and abuse which occur before the child’s sense of self, cognitive abilities and the brains systems becomes well established, leading to complex PTSD.
Besides, the neglect often makes the child feel hopeless and overwhelmed by the situation they face because of the inability to have the necessary coping capabilities thus making them believe that the world is dangerous (Westfall & Nemeroff, 2018). Also, it results in low self-esteem and behavioral consequences such as drug abuse, use of alcohol and criminal or abusive behavior. Although the dangers for neglect are not easily identified, it has a huge impact on the development of the individual (Brewin, Rumball & Happé, 2019). This then increases there a risk for development of the PTSD which will have a huge impact both psychologically and emotionally in the long-term
PTSD from Terrorist Attack
Terrorism can be described as a systematic use of violence in order to generate a climate of fear in a particular population, usually with aims of political interest. It results in loss of lives of individuals, destruction of properties, disabilities, and at the time it results into serious health consequences depending on the user during the attack (García-Vera & Sanz, 2015). Various studies have indicated that experience or witness of terror attacks results in the feeling of helplessness and fear in individuals (Gregory et al., 2019). This has the possibility to be spread from one person to another and thus to the whole community. Although the issues of fear can be addressed and reduced after a period of time depending on the size of the community, history and diversity, the issue of PTSD is challenging because of the psychological impact it has on the lives of the individuals.
Terrorist attacks and post-traumatic stress disorder have been closely linked by various studies that indicate that they have a relation. According to Gregory et al. (2019), the frequency of having symptoms of mental distress is high among individuals who had previously witnessed or involved in a terror attack. The exposure to terrorism increases the likelihood to develop PTSD (García-Vera & Sanz, 2015). Therefore, the flashbacks of memories which result from exposure indicate PTSD
Conclusion
Conclusively, various mental health conditions are caused by different factors, including genetic predispose. Post-traumatic stress disorder is one of the common cases that has been closely linked with experience or witnessing a terrifying event. For instance, neglect in children predisposes and individual to PTSD due to insufficient mental development to help in coping with stress. On the other hand, being a victim of terror attack results in flashbacks of disturbing memories that predisposes and in individual to the disorder.
References
Brewin, C. R., Rumball, F., & Happé, F. (2019). Neglected causes of post-traumatic stress disorder.
García-Vera, M. P., & Sanz, J. (2015). Psychopathological consequences of terrorism: the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder in victims of terrorist attacks. Fundamental rights and vulnerable groups. Sharjah, UAE: Bentham Science Publishers.
Gregory, J., de Lepinau, J., de Buyer, A., Delanoy, N., Mir, O., & Gaillard, R. (2019). The impact of the Paris terrorist attacks on the mental health of resident physicians. BMC psychiatry, 19(1), 79.
Westfall, N. C., & Nemeroff, C. B. (2018). Child Abuse and Neglect as Risk Factors for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, 443.
