Hi, need to submit a 1250 words paper on the topic PTSD: Physical, Mental, and Spiritual Dimensions.

Hi, need to submit a 1250 words paper on the topic PTSD: Physical, Mental, and Spiritual Dimensions. &nbsp. The major categories of those symptoms include recurring and intrusive memories of a traumatic experience or experiences. introversion and avoidance of anything that might trigger the memories. and hyper-arousal (Macera, Aealis, MacGregor, Rauh, & Galarneau, 2012. MediResource Inc., 2013). Intrusive memories might come in the form of flashbacks, in which the person with PTSD actually relives the traumatic situation (Macera, Aealis, MacGregor, Rauh, & Galarneau, 2012). For example, a soldier, traumatized from combat, might be playing ball with his children and might suddenly think he is being shot at by an enemy. He may not see the children anymore, but rather the earlier memory of danger and violence is inappropriately superimposed on his current experience. Intrusive memories might also result in quiet staring, or being lost in thought (Tran, Kuhn, Walser, & Drescjer, 2012).

Introversion and avoidance might be reflected in social withdrawal, insomnia, avoidance of conversation, feeling like more of an observer than a participant (Macera, Aealis, MacGregor, Rauh, & Galarneau, 2012). The person may seem hesitant to renew relationships (Tran, Kuhn, Walser, & Drescjer, 2012). They may also turn to alcohol and drugs as a way to withdraw into themselves or mask the bad feelings (MediResource Inc., 2013).

Hyper-arousal is typically seen in the startle reflex and in the feeling that something bad is about to happen, even without objective indications. (MediResource Inc., 2013). Research has found that people with a history of trauma have lower mean cortisol levels. Cortisol is a hormone that is released to help the body cope with stress. However, responding to trauma reduces the body’s blood cortisol level after subsequent trauma (Resnick, Yehuda, Pitman, & Foy, 1995). It is an indication that the body is not reacting in a natural way anymore. In diagnosing PTSD in soldiers with combat experience, post-deployment neurobehavioral and physical symptoms are considered. Neurobehavioral symptoms include such things as irritability, insomnia, inability to concentrate, forgetfulness, indecision, while physical symptoms include such things as headaches, loss of hearing or vision, weakness, numbness (Macera, Aealis, MacGregor, Rauh, & Galarneau, 2012). However, PTSD can be difficult to diagnose because of the various configuration of symptoms, the often delayed occurrence of symptoms, inadequate self-reports, and because the symptoms overlap with blast-induced, mild TBI (traumatic brain injury) (Macera, Aealis, MacGregor, Rauh, & Galarneau, 2012). Initially, PTSD was understood to be caused by combat trauma.