Can mere visuals of trauma heighten stress and trigger post traumatic stress disorder?
A recent US study suggests that there is a great deal of psychological impact that occurs due to constant and repeated exposure to violence through digital and traditional media.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), is a mental condition triggered by a traumatic event. PTSD treatment includes pyschotherapy, behavior therapy and medications.
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A survey of 4675 US adults conducted after the 15 April attacks and the manhunt that was launched for one suspect, Tamerlan Tsarnaev, left a deep impact on viewers.
Even though many of the gory images were cropped and modified by many media companies, there were still many unedited pictures doing the rounds which were captured by witnesses that were available on social media.
![Treating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Alcohol Abuse Together Won]( "Treating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Alcohol Abuse Together Won")
Using prolonged exposure therapy to treat patients with post-traumatic stress disorder and comorbid alcohol dependence does not increase drinking or cravings, Penn Medicine psychiatrists report.
Even those that were not directly connected with the incident were affected emotionally. "Media exposure was a stronger predictor of acute stress response than having been there," experts said.
"It wasn't that the direct exposure was not important, it was just that above and beyond having been there, media exposure was an even stronger predictor of acute stress response. It doesn't become PTSD until the characteristic problems go on for more than six weeks and interfere in some significant way with people's lives. People should be aware there is no psychological benefit to repeated exposure to pictures of horror."
Source: Medindia
Treating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Alcohol Abuse Together Won't Increase Drinking
Using prolonged exposure therapy to treat patients with post-traumatic stress disorder and comorbid alcohol dependence does not increase drinking or cravings, Penn Medicine psychiatrists report.
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Even those that were not directly connected with the incident were affected emotionally. "Media exposure was a stronger predictor of acute stress response than having been there," experts said.
"It wasn't that the direct exposure was not important, it was just that above and beyond having been there, media exposure was an even stronger predictor of acute stress response. It doesn't become PTSD until the characteristic problems go on for more than six weeks and interfere in some significant way with people's lives. People should be aware there is no psychological benefit to repeated exposure to pictures of horror."
Source: Medindia
Depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Take Huge Toll on War-ravaged Afghans
Traumatised, depressed and anxious, Mohammad Qasim, a 58-year-old butcher, is just like 50 percent of his fellow Afghans after 30 years of war, according to government figures.
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