Post traumatic stress disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychological disorder that develops as a result of a traumatic event. Post-traumatic stress disorder appears to be more common in amputees who have lost limbs as a result of combat or traumatic injury. Difficult surgeries and patient immobility are also predictive of PTSD following amputation for trauma. PTSD is relatively rare (< 5%) among amputees whose surgery follows a chronic illness such as diabetes or cancer (Bhuvaneswar et al, 2007).
Symptoms of PTSD typically appear within three months of the traumatic event and can appear up to years later. Symptoms of PTSD fall into four categories:
- Intrusion (memories, dreams, flashbacks)
- Avoidance (staying away from places, events, and objects that are reminders of the traumatic experience),
- Alterations in cognition and mood (inability to remember key features in the event, negative thoughts about yourself, feelings of guilt or blame, and loss of interest in enjoyable activities)
- Alterations in arousal and reactivity (being easily startled, feeling tense, difficulty sleeping, angry outbursts).
Recovery is possible, however, this can become a chronic disorder. Persons with PTSD require professional support.
