MANILA, Philippines - Experts fear widespread post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among survivors in Japan's devastating earthquake and tsunami.

According to Dr. Rey Lesaca, a psychiatrist for 34 years, "walang matapang sa post traumatic stress disorder". It will happen to survivors whether they like it or not, he said.

Symptoms of PTSD include anxiety, palpitations, clammy hands, shaking/shivering, insomnia, bouts of crying. This is an emotional, mental, psychological disorder as well as biological imbalance.

Therefore, the treatment would be a combination of psychiatric therapy and intake of anti-depressants and anti-anxiety as well as sleep inducing medicines "para ang katawan at isip makapagpahinga," Lesaca said.

According to the psychiatrist, PTSD is treatable. The only thing to fear is when this will progress into a psychotic break when the person becomes delusional, violent or suicidal."

Dr. Randy Dellosa, meanwhile, has treated patients with PTSD from Pinatubo and Ondoy. Dellosa said the treatment could last from 1 session to years depending on how the patient responds to the mitigation efforts of the doctor.

Children are also more affected by PTSD because unlike adults, they don't have past experiences to look back to.

Children also tend to not know what they are feeling and are going through. Children also could not verbalize the imbalances they go through.

Therefore, a psychiatrist will use play/color/music therapy to treat them.

Dellosa, in treating patients with PTSD, says he uses dream objects in his therapy room.

The object that will be chosen by the patient will be used to draw out suppressed thoughts and feelings.