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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Snow knocks out power to 25,000 residences in Southern Oregon, causes crashes ... SOU, Ashland School District cancel Monday classes ... UPDATE: Victim identified in Medford homicide ... Snow knocks out power to 25,000 residences in Southern Oregon, causes crashes ... SOU, Ashland School District cancel Monday classes ... UPDATE: Victim identified in Medford homicide ... Your Mental Health: My husband denies he has PTSD Comment By Nancy Ryburn More Content Now MailTribune.com By Nancy Ryburn More Content Now Posted Apr. 7, 2015 at 7:32 AM By Nancy Ryburn More Content Now Posted Apr. 7, 2015 at 7:32 AM » Social News Q. I think my husband has post-traumatic stress disorder, but he refuses to acknowledge it. He was in Iraq, and he’s experienced some stressful events at his job since returning home. He gets angry each time I mention his problems. Please explain more about PTSD, since he reads your column. A. PTSD is defined as “an anxiety disorder that may develop after exposure to a terrifying event or events in which severe physical harm occurred or was threatened.” Events that may trigger PTSD include military combat, personal assault, sexual abuse, automobile accidents, witnessing traumatic events, or any episode in which a person feels terrorized or helpless in the face of impending disaster or doom. PTSD is usually categorized in four separate categories listed below. Remember that one does not have to have disturbances in all of these categories to have PTSD. • Intrusive memories: Some people who have had traumatic experiences have unwanted thoughts about the events, upsetting dreams, acting out in one’s sleep and a sense of impending disaster. I once had a student with PTSD who reported that his wife locked him in a separate bedroom at night because he dreamed she was an enemy attacking him. In the course of the dream, he actually attempted to choke her. • Avoidance: When individuals experience trauma, they often do not want to discuss it. Many people remember a father or grandfather who returned from World War II, but did not want to talk about his experiences. In fact, the war was rarely mentioned. Many people are the same today. A police officer or social worker may see horrible tragedies at work, but not want to discuss them with his or her family. Instead, we see too many men and women turn to drugs and alcohol to avoid the feelings activated by traumatic experiences. • Arousal: When some people experience the symptoms of PTSD they become exceedingly irritable, cynical, sleep deprived, and often report both work and family problems. Some people feel a need to re-experience the feelings of arousal, so they cheat on their spouse or partner, drive too fast, get into fights, and display other types of self-destructive behavior. • Somatic complaints: Instead of admitting that they are facing a mental health crisis, many people with PTSD will complain of health issues such as headaches, chest pain, stomach aches, and fatigue. The belief for some is that it is acceptable to be physically ill, but having a mental health issue is a “sign of weakness.” This irrational fear has kept many people from getting the help they need. Talk to your husband. Convince him to go to his doctor for a physical and to discuss his symptoms. Since he is a veteran, insist that he schedules an appointment with the VA mental health services for an evaluation. There are many treatments for PTSD, but unfortunately, one size does not fit all. Understanding that the condition does not mean that one is weak or “less than a man” is the first step in seeking treatment and alleviating the symptoms. There are many excellent websites including the Mayo Clinic site, WebMD and the National Institute for Health. If you have some knowledge of biology and psychology, I highly recommend the book, “The Body Keeps the Score” by Dr. Bessel Van Der Kolk, one of the pioneers in the study of PTSD. Nancy Ryburn holds a doctorate degree in psychology from Yeshiva University in New York City. She teaches psychology at Southeast Arkansas College in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, and maintains a private practice. You can reach her at [email protected]. By Nancy Ryburn More Content Now MailTribune.com By Nancy Ryburn More Content Now Posted Apr. 7, 2015 at 7:32 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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