Usually PTSD is associated with survivors of major disastrous events, rape survivors, war survivors. However, I think that lesser forms of PTSD can be found in people with food allergies or those that have experienced traumatic asthma events (like being hospitalized).
Some new studies underscore the correlation between PTSD and asthma: Researchers found that sufferers of PTSD had higher instances of asthma. "No one knows the reason for the association between asthma and mental disorders," lead researcher Renee D. Goodwin, Ph.D., M.P.H., Columbia University, was quoted as saying. "Asthma could increase the risk of anxiety disorders, or anxiety disorders might cause asthma, or there could be common risk factors for both asthma and anxiety disorders. Our study found the association between asthma and PTSD does not appear to be primarily due to a common genetic predisposition." The authors believe it is possible traumatic stress -- which has been associated with compromised immune functioning -- can lead to an increased vulnerability to immune-system-related diseases such as asthma.
As I mentioned, after years of practice, I'm able to recognize when I'm feeling anxious and separate that from when I'm feeling allergic. The trick is to separate the real allergic danger from the perceived danger and to calm the anxiety arising from something historical, rather than what is really happening in the present. I wonder how many of you have felt the same way?
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