CRIME AND PTSD
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Crime and PTSD
Tanner Oglesbee
CCJ 4604
March 26, 2018
CRIME AND PTSD
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Abstract
In this research paper, we will be discussing the effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, which
will be henceforth referred to as PTSD, and how they correlate to the prevalence of crime in war
veterans. We will discuss the causes of PTSD and how it effects the patient’s thoughts and actions.
CRIME AND PTSD
To fully understand what this paper will discuss we must first understand how trauma and
PTSD are defined. According to the DSM-5, trauma is described as “the events or experiences that
are shocking and overwhelming, typically involving a major threat to the physical, emotional, or
psychological safety and well-being of the individual victim(s) and loved ones and friends (as well
as to others).” The trauma that accrues is often sudden and typically causes the individual great
stress during and after the event. The APA states that it is normal for an individual to have stress-
induced issues after a traumatic event but its effects are only considered damaging if they last for
more than three months, cause significant distress, or disrupt your work or home life.
According to the National Center of PTSD, the symptoms of PTSD include reliving the
event, avoiding situations that remind an individual of the event, unfavorable changes in beliefs
and feelings, and having hyperarousal. These symptoms can cause lack of sleep, inability to talk
