What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSD is a mental health condition caused by an extremely stressful or terrifying event – either being part of it or witnessing it. Common symptoms include flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, and uncontrollable thoughts about the event.
Examples of events include, but are not limited to:
- Witnessing a violent encounter during a robbery,
- Maintaining a continuous state of high vigilance with frequent life-saving interventions as a caregiver or work/role requirement,
- Losing everything in a disaster such as a house fire or tornado,
- Surviving years of domestic or childhood violence (verbal or physical), or
- Reporting to work in the face of daily workplace harassment.
Symptoms of PTSD
Experiencing one of these does not mean you will develop PTSD, but you may be at high risk. Most people who endure a shocking, scary, dangerous event will experience a physical and emotional response, such as difficulty sleeping, increased anxiety, sadness, the need to talk about it, and even find it difficult not to think about the events frequently for a while, but within three months, most of those symptoms begin to show improvement.
Here are some additional symptoms that indicate you might need help:
- Worrying a lot or feeling very anxious, sad, or fearful
- Crying often
- Having trouble thinking clearly
- Having frightening thoughts or flashbacks, reliving the experience
- Feeling angry, resentful, or irritable
- Having nightmares or difficulty sleeping
- Avoiding places or people that bring back disturbing memories and responses
- Becoming isolated from family and friends
Physical responses to trauma may also mean that a person needs help. Physical symptoms may include:
- Having headaches
- Having stomach pain and digestive issues
- Having difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
- Having a racing heart and sweating
- Being very jumpy and easily startled
If symptoms persist for 3 months or more without improvement, or if they begin to interfere with normal activities, it’s time to seek support. Seeing a therapist who specializes in PTSD treatment could help you process your emotions in a way that would allow you to release what is stuck and help you move forward with healing.
How is a diagnosis of PTSD made?
To receive a diagnosis of PTSD, an adult must have all the following for at least 1 month:
- At least one re-experiencing symptom
- At least one avoidance symptom
- At least two arousal and reactivity symptoms
- At least two cognition and mood symptoms
Re-experiencing symptoms
- Flashbacks—reliving the traumatic event as if it were happening again, including physical symptoms, such as a racing heart or sweating
- Recurring unwanted, distressing memories, dreams, or nightmares related to the event
- Severe emotional distress and physical reactions reminding you of the traumatic event
Thoughts and feelings can trigger these symptoms, as can words, objects, or situations that are reminders of the event.
Avoidance symptoms
- Staying away from places, events, or objects that are reminders of the experience
- Avoiding thoughts or feelings related to the traumatic event
Avoidance symptoms may cause people to change their routines. For example, some people may avoid driving or riding in a car after a serious car accident.
Arousal and reactivity symptoms
- Being easily startled
- Feeling tense, on guard, or on edge
- Having difficulty concentrating
- Having difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
- Feeling irritable and having angry or aggressive outbursts
- Engaging in risky, reckless, or destructive behavior
- Physical reactions, such as sweating, rapid breathing, fast heartbeat, or shaking.
Arousal symptoms are often constant. They can lead to feelings of stress and anger and may interfere with daily activities, such as sleeping, eating, or concentrating.
Cognition and mood symptoms
- Trouble remembering key features of the traumatic event
- Negative thoughts about oneself or the world
- Exaggerated feelings of blame directed toward oneself or others
- Ongoing negative emotions, such as fear, anger, guilt, or shame
- Loss of interest in previous activities
- Feelings of social isolation and detachment from family and friends
- Emotional numbness
- Difficulty feeling positive emotions, such as happiness or satisfaction
Cognition and mood symptoms can begin or worsen after the traumatic event. They can lead people to feel detached from friends or family members.
Severity of Symptoms
Symptoms may not feel intense all the time. You may have coped well most of the time, but during periods of high stress or anxiety, symptoms emerge. If the symptoms persist for more than a month, see your healthcare provider to discuss what might be happening and ways to reduce your reactions.
Recovering from PTSD
If you are experiencing PTSD signs, it’s important to seek help from either a mental health professional experienced in treating PTSD or to attend programs designed specifically for PTSD recovery that have effective recovery rates. Often, individuals with PTSD have multiple issues to address, and someone with mental health training can assist with them all. Support from family, friends, and your church can also provide you with encouragement.
Treatment for PTSD usually centers around medication, psychotherapy, or a combination of both.
Sources:
What is PTSD? National Institute of Mental Health
PTSD: National Center for PTSD U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, National Center for PTSD
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Mayo Clinic
