What are the Symptoms of Post-trauma stress disorder (PTSD)?
Trauma is an emotional response to a distressing or life-threatening event, such as natural disasters, accidents, violence, or abuse. While trauma can impact anyone, individuals who have experienced multiple or prolonged traumatic events are at a higher risk of developing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
What is PTSD?
PTSD is a mental health condition that develops after exposure to a traumatic event or series of events. It can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, such as:
- Car Accident
- Sexual assault
- Combat
- Natural disaster
- The sudden death of a loved one.
Symptoms of PTSD
While not everyone who experiences trauma develops PTSD, those who do often experience a range of symptoms that can affect their daily lives.
- Symptoms of PTSD fall into four categories:
- Intrusion
- Avoidance
- Negative alterations in mood and cognition
- Alterations in arousal and reactivity.
Intrusion symptoms: refer to the persistent and distressing memories, thoughts, or dreams related to the traumatic event. These symptoms can include flashbacks, nightmares, or distressing thoughts about the event.
Avoidance symptoms: refer to efforts to avoid anything that might trigger a reminder of the traumatic event. This can include avoiding people, places, or situations that remind them of the event or withdrawing from social activities altogether.
Negative alterations in mood and cognition: can include negative feelings about oneself or others, feelings of detachment from others, and difficulty experiencing positive emotions. Individuals with PTSD may also experience memory difficulties or have trouble concentrating.
Alterations in arousal and reactivity: can include being easily startled, feeling on edge, having difficulty sleeping, or having angry outbursts.
Bottom-Line
It's important to note that symptoms of PTSD can vary from person to person and change over time. It's also common for individuals with PTSD to experience other mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, or substance abuse.
If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of PTSD, it's important to seek professional help. PTSD is a treatable condition, and there are effective therapies and medications available that can help manage the condition.