Acupuncture

People who acquire posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after experiencing a traumatic event endure a constellation of debilitating symptoms, including intrusion, avoidance, negative mood alteration, and marked increases in reactivity. They have difficulty falling or staying asleep, and often have comorbid physical and pain-related diagnoses secondary to their trauma. Despite evolving definitions and measures, estimates of prevalence of lifetime PTSD in U.S. population have remained quite consistent since the advent of theDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders(DSM), third edition, revised (III-R). In civilian populations, lifetime DSM-III-R PTSD prevalence rates of 9.2%; DSM, fourth edition, PTSD prevalence rates of 6.8%; and DSM, fifth edition, PTSD estimate rates of 5.4% have been reported. In U.S. military populations, prevalence rates as high as 17% after combat deployments have been reported. Importantly, persons with PTSD experience higher prevalence of other psychiatric and physical comorbid conditions, including mood, substance use, and pain disorders.