Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is an anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to an extremely stressful or terrifying event, most often when physical harm occurred or was threatened. Traumatic events that may trigger PTSD include violent personal assaults, natural or human-caused disasters, accidents, or military combat.
Typical symptoms of PTSD include:
- Distressing memories of the event
- Recurrent disturbing dreams of the event
- Re-experiencing the traumatic event, such as reliving the event, or having hallucinations, illusions, or flashbacks about it
- Intense distress when exposed to situations similar to the event
- Avoidance of situations resembling the event
- Trouble recalling aspects of the trauma
- Feelings of detachment
- Increased anxiety
- Exaggerated 'startle' response
Many types of traumatic events can trigger PTSD, including personal injuries, experiencing threats, witnessing accidents, or even learning about violence or threats to significant others. In PTSD, the person usually feels intense fear, helplessness, or horror at the unfolding situation.
Two medications have been approved for PTSD and several other investigational medications are being studied for use in this condition. Summit Research may employ an approved medication in comparison to investigational drugs in studying PTSD.
Summit Research Network participates in research studies of investigational medication for PTSD. If you are selected, all research-related care and study medications will be provided at no cost. If you would like more information, please call us at (206) 292-CARE (2273), or fill out the form below and we will contact you.
