Recognizing disorder symptoms critical for responders

By Susan Larson | The Daily Journal

Published Tuesday, February 27, 2007

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder does not discriminate in that it can occur in people of any age, including children and adolescents. Bernice Jepson wants to educate others about PTSD “so ordinary citizens know how to respond in a crisis situation,” she said.

The Frazee woman is a member of the Prevent Child Abuse Minnesota team of speakers. She recently teamed up with the Minnesota Department of Health’s Emergency Preparedness Unit offering seminars on how trauma — specifically post traumatic stress disorder — affects lives and how it can be treated.

Unfortunately, Jepson’s expertise on the subject did not come from a textbook or university. A survivor of more than 30 years of various abuses, Jepson herself is a PTSD sufferer. She still experiences flashbacks, but not as frequently as she used to.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is an anxiety disorder that develops after exposure to a terrifying event or ordeal in which grave physical harm occurred or was threatened, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Stress events that may trigger the disorder include violent personal assaults, witnessing traumatic events, natural or human-caused disasters, accidents or military combat.

“It’s like being put in virtual reality,” she said of the episodes. “It puts you right back in the middle of the situation.”

In her presentations, Jepson cites examples of different crisis situations; populaces affected by these situations; the dos and don’ts of crisis intervention; and how to deal with the fallout after the crisis is over.

“PTSD has so many facets,” she said. “It causes disruptions in your life with flashbacks of the event, insomnia, trouble concentrating. It never goes away but it can be treated, but professional help is needed.”

Students, for example, could experience PTSD after the death of a classmate or a school shooting. A natural disaster such as a flood or house fire could trigger PTSD.

“About 20 percent of our returning vets are going to develop it in some form or another.”

The presentation is tailored to schools, churches, universities, organizations, National Guard units and law enforcement agencies.

“They could use this training in situations such as school shootings, flooding, crime victimization, death due to natural or homicide.”

There are three main components to PTSD, according to Jepson:

• Cluster B: Re-experiencing. The memory of the trauma comes back in flashbacks or nightmares. The entire emotional weight and the experience of the trauma is relived over and over.

• Cluster C: Avoidant. Avoids people, places and things that will remind them of the trauma. Sufferers make themselves emotionally flat so they won't feel anything. They distance themselves from emotional relationships. Relationships can become strained or cease to exist.

“The person who has been traumatized feels they will not live as long as non-traumatized people,” Jepson said. “It’s not being suicidal, it’s just not being able to expect a normal life span as before the trauma.”

• Cluster D: Hyper Arousal. PTSD patients have the feeling they can not let their guard down and suffer a lot of anxiety. There is a lot of anger, sometimes to the point of rage.

Jepson authored the book, “I’m Not That Way Anymore,” dealing with child abuse and molestation and domestic violence. She can be contacted by calling 218-334-4284, or e-mailing bernicejepson@loretel.net.