Serving, Advocating, and Promoting Health, Wellness, and Self-Sufficiency of Native Peoples!
PTSD
PTSD – Toxic Stress
There are several prevailing factors that affect every family throughout the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation to a greater or lesser degree and they are: Dependence on Alcohol, and Prescription and Illicit Drugs. These affect all ages, from the young – early teens through elderly years. And through it all… Violence. Violence affects everyone, both as victims and as witnesses to the violence. Domestic violence, partner on partner, adult on child, extended family disagreements, rapes, beatings, families in communities fighting other community members, gang violence..... Murder and other violent crimes are on the rise for our Reservation.
Violence and poverty are among the primary factors that affect every family throughout the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Falling victim to or witnessing violence can result in PTSD – Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Domestic violence, partner on partner, adult on child, child neglect and abuse, extended family disagreements, rapes, beatings, families in communities fighting other community members, gang violence..... All this and murder, too, are on the rise throughout the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Unemployment is 80% – 90% depending on the season, and contributes to profound dependence on government programs for survival. Toxic Stress is directly related to poverty and related issues, including home instability and food insecurity.
Symptoms of PTSD and Toxic Stress can include:
There are several prevailing factors that affect every family throughout the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation to a greater or lesser degree and they are: Dependence on Alcohol, and Prescription and Illicit Drugs. These affect all ages, from the young – early teens through elderly years. And through it all… Violence. Violence affects everyone, both as victims and as witnesses to the violence. Domestic violence, partner on partner, adult on child, extended family disagreements, rapes, beatings, families in communities fighting other community members, gang violence..... Murder and other violent crimes are on the rise for our Reservation.
Violence and poverty are among the primary factors that affect every family throughout the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Falling victim to or witnessing violence can result in PTSD – Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Domestic violence, partner on partner, adult on child, child neglect and abuse, extended family disagreements, rapes, beatings, families in communities fighting other community members, gang violence..... All this and murder, too, are on the rise throughout the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Unemployment is 80% – 90% depending on the season, and contributes to profound dependence on government programs for survival. Toxic Stress is directly related to poverty and related issues, including home instability and food insecurity.
Symptoms of PTSD and Toxic Stress can include:
- Increased anxiety
- Depression
- Sleep disorders
- Health problems
- Increased risk-taking behaviors
- Dependence on substances
- Alcohol
- Drugs, both prescription and illicit drugs,
- Decreased ability to bond and socialize with family, friends, and neighbors
- Suicide
- Suicide is epidemic on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.
- Did you know that studies show a heightened sensitivity to PTSD can be passed down genetically by both the mother and father through up to two generations?
- Long-term exposure to PTSD and Toxic Stress include: increased risk for
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Hypertension, and
- Dependence on alcohol and drugs