Important Signs and Symptoms of PTSD You Shouldn't Ignore
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects about one in ten Canadians and seven to eight percent of the U.S. population. PTSD is a severe mental health condition caused by experiencing a traumatic event or series of events. PTSD can affect anyone but does not affect everyone who experiences trauma. For some people, after experiencing trauma, with self-care and as time passes, they get better. If the symptoms remain and get worse, lasting months or years and interfering with daily functioning, the reason might be PTSD.
Signs And Symptoms Of PTSD
PTSD symptoms can start immediately after experiencing the traumatic event, but for some people, the symptoms arise months or even years later, usually after experiencing an event that triggers memories of the traumatic event. Typically, PTSD symptoms begin within six months of experiencing the traumatic event. PTSD can seriously affect the daily functioning of sufferers and requires effective treatment to reduce symptoms and improve functioning. Seek medical attention if experiencing PTSD symptoms. There are four main groups of PTSD symptoms that vary over time and from person to person. These symptoms include having intrusive memories, avoidance, changes in physical and emotional reactions, and negative changes in thinking and mood.
Intrusive Memories
PTSD symptoms include experiencing recurring and unwanted distressing memories of the traumatic event and reliving the traumatic event in the form of flashbacks. Intrusive memories also arise in upsetting dreams and nightmares about the traumatic event and experiencing negative physical reactions and severe emotional distress about something that triggers memories of the traumatic event. Intrusive memories caused by PTSD are preoccupying and debilitating, often interfere with daily functioning and can even lead to suicidal thoughts and feelings. The treatment of intrusive memories can be achieved with different approaches and techniques. For example, cognitive behavioral therapy helps the client examine core negative beliefs and seeks to replace them with positive ones. If unhealthy anger is a coping strategy for the PTSD sufferer, anger management therapy techniques such as using self-talk to soothe oneself and de-escalate the anger can be helpful for changing one’s mood into a more positive one.
Avoiding Reminders Of The Traumatic Event
Avoidance symptoms may include making an effort to avoid thinking or talking about the traumatic event and avoiding people, activities, and places that are reminders of the traumatic event. Avoidance is a common reaction to trauma, but when it is a main coping strategy and interferes with daily living, it becomes a problem requiring treatment. Using avoidance as a main coping strategy can cause PTSD symptoms to worsen. While not all avoidance is harmful, avoidance can be healthy under certain circumstances, if used as a primary coping method for dealing with trauma, it can have harmful effects psychologically and in daily functioning. The best thing to do if experiencing avoidance after trauma is to seek medical attention and therapy to learn how to deal with thoughts and feelings post-trauma in a healthier way.
Negative Changes In Thinking And Mood
Negative changes in one's thought processes and emotions may include having negative thoughts about self, other people and the world; feeling hopeless about the future; having difficulty remembering things, including important aspects of the traumatic event; having difficulty maintaining close relationships and feeling detached from family and friends; losing interest in once enjoyable activities; having difficulty experiencing positive emotions; and feeling numb emotionally. Grief and depression often accompany trauma, and having an overwhelmingly negative outlook on life is a common PTSD symptom. Being optimistic and having more positive thoughts, is an essential part of recovering from PTSD. Various therapeutic techniques can be helpful including cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps retrain the brain to interpret events in a more positive way. If experiencing the PTSD symptom of negative changes in thinking and mood, seek medical attention to begin a faster recovery.
Changes In Physical And Emotional Reactions
Changes in physical and emotional reactions may include hypervigilance (always being on guard for danger); being easily frightened or startled; self-destructive behaviour, such as driving too fast or drinking too much; having trouble concentrating and sleeping; feeling constantly irritable; experiencing angry outbursts or exhibiting aggressive behaviour; and feeling of overwhelming guilt or shame. Children under the age of six may also experience symptoms including re-enacting the traumatic event through play and having frequent nightmares. All PTSD symptoms can come and go, but the symptoms generally tend to increase when experiencing higher levels of stress or when faced with reminders of the trauma. Seek medical attention immediately if experiencing suicidal thoughts or are experiencing severe PTSD symptoms and are having difficulty with daily functioning. Treatment can help prevent the worsening of PTSD symptoms and aid in a full recovery.