Question:
There are two separate traumatic seens and experiences that seem
to have affected mental and physical states of about 80% to 95%
Khmer population inside and outside of Cambodia today. They are:
1. The shows of the killings of Khmer men in the public movie
. theatres in the 1960's and 1970's.
2. The Khmer Rouge killings in the 1975-79
Yet, almost 98% of Khmers are living their lives undiagnosed and
untreated. I think this is probably one of the greatest causes of
an unhealthy Khmer society. What is PTSD?
Answer:
The diagnostic term PTSD was introduced into the APA's official
dianostoc mannual (1980) as a term that encompasses the historical
sysdromes of "Shell Shock" (Mott), "War Neurosis" (Freud, Simmel, &),
and "Combat Fatigue" (Baker). The essential feature of PTSD is
"The Development of Characteristic Symptoms of following of a
Psychologically Distressing Event that is outside the range of usual
human experience". The stressor(s) producing PTSD would be
seriously distressing to almost anyone, and is usually experienced a
long with Intense Fear, Terror and Helplessness. Five PTSD criteria
have been identified (APA, 1987):
1. A markedly distressing traumatic event
2. At least one symptom of persistent reexperiencing
3. At least three symptoms of persistent avoidance of stimuli
. associated with the trauma
4. At least two sysmptoms of persistent increased arousal
5. Duration of the disturbance for longer than one month
It is not unusual for those Khmer people with PTSD to have been
dually daignosed or misdiagnosed with any of the following
psychiatric categories:
a. Organic Mental Disorder
b. Antisocial Personality Disorder
c. Bipolar Disorder
d. Dysthymia
e. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
f. Alcoholism
g. Drug Dependence
h. Depression
For those Cambodian middle ages and older generation, the seen of the
act of killings those Khmer men in the public movies theaters could
produce PTSD symptom and commenced immediately after that traumatic
displays. For most Khmer people, the affects of PTSD follow a steady
progression, for some Khmers, it improved spontaneously and later recure.
For almost all Khmers who have been through the Khmer Rouge killingfield,
the symptoms may be totally absent for years - but only to emerge as a
full-blown syndrome later after they are settled in the third worlds.
I absolutely agree that the "Sudden Death Sysdrome"
occur in any nationality in America or in other country. But I
do not believe it fits in the diagnostic criteria of the PTSD. However,
the prolong untreated PTSD which could lead to "Generalized Anxiety
Distorder" has the power to push a person into the "Panic Disorder".
Some feature of Panic Attack includes:
1. Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
2. Dizziness, unsteady feelings, faintness, or fall death
3. Palpitations or Accelerated heart rate
4. Trembling or Shaking
5. Sweating
6. Choking
7. Nausea or abdoinal distress
8. Depersonalization or derealization
9. Flushes or Chills
10. Chest pain or Discomfort
11. Fear of dying
12. Fear of going crazy or of doing something uncontrolled
13. Numness or tingling sensations
Please note that the sudden death syndrome for babies caused
by totally different causes.
it is most likely a stroke..caused by high blood pressure, high
cholesterols, inactive, stress, and genetic too.
The way to avoid is moderation in salt, red meat, and saturated fat, eat
high fiber foods, exercise regularly, avoid stressing situation as much
as possible.
