PTSD

PTSD

           Our world currently contains 7.4 Billion people; in the United States, 325 Million (Census). Each of these people has a different set of experiences and memories. Some of those are traumatic. When a person has a failure to recover from a traumatic event, they can have recurring traumatic thoughts. Sometimes these thoughts can cause sleeplessness and hypervigilance. “With Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, PTSD, the anxiety is more intense and keeps coming back. And the trauma is relived through nightmares, intrusive memories, and flashbacks. These can be vivid memories that seem real. The symptoms of PTSD can cause problems with relationships and make it hard to cope with daily life” (John Hopkins).

           Many things can cause a traumatic memory. Military deployments can cause devastating mental trauma to everyone involved. Traumatic stress can be caused by other things like car accidents and domestic violence. Some doctors believe that there is a post trauma epidemic in our country. During an interview, one of the leading experts in Neuropsychology, Dr. Stephen Curtis, said that many people have micro Post Traumatic Stress symptoms from the last Presidential election. I can certainly agree that some people are acting abnormally. Does Post Traumatic Stress give people the right to act out? Are crimes vindicated on the assumption that stress caused the behavior?

           People are still responsible for their own actions. No matter what kind of traumatic influence a person is experiencing, laws must be maintained. We, as a society and as humans, should then reflect on how we can reach out to our fellow man or woman in times of need. A person suffering from PTSD may not know why they feel the way that they do. They may be acting out because they are suffering. When it comes to people who are close to us, we must pay attention to changes in behavior. When someone is suffering for extended period of time, they can hurt themselves or others. This can be prevented with therapy.

           Doctors are working on new solutions every day, but the person has to be willing to seek treatment. Having a strong support structure is critical in this process. Therapy from a licensed doctor is a great start. Additionally, research indicates that electrical stimulation, from a CES machine, shows effectiveness in treating PTSD. “The literature also supports the importance of pushing prefrontal/intellectual function while the brain and body are relaxed” (Curtis). Other techniques include calming and meditative techniques as well as blood pressure meditation to increase blood flow to the prefrontal cortex.

           Over the next year, Existential Technologies will be developing a new technology that we believe can curb night time hypervigilance and PTSD sleep disorders. This technology involves Virtual Reality and Artificial Intelligence. More detail will be released as development progresses. The goal is to save lives and decrease the impact of PTSD.

Thanks,

Robert

Resources

Census website. https://www.census.gov/popclock/

John Hopkins Medicine. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/healthlibrary/conditions/adult/mental_health_disorders/post-traumatic_stress_disorder_ptsd_85,p00740/

Dr. Stephen Curtis, clinical neuropsychologist.