Post traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is a mental health condition resulting from some of the scariest experiences in people’s lives. Understanding PTSD causes and symptoms will lay the groundwork for the recovery you long for on the road back to a life without fear. Some people struggle to live with the atrocities of war.
Some wrestle with the aftermath of a natural disaster or a tragic accident. Still others carry in their bodies the trauma of abuse or assault. Do you suspect that you or someone you love may be experiencing PTSD?Whatever the circumstance, it is important to remember that something serious and life-altering drives the anxiety of a PTSD sufferer. To recover, it’s important to understand PTSD, why it happens and what it looks like.
What Causes PTSD?
Under the right conditions, PTSD can take hold in anyone’s mind and life. The disorder is not choosy. Anyone from any background can be faced with it following a traumatic event. Still, there are some people who experience a normal range of distress after trauma and there are those who are more predisposed to a worsening of that distress, which leads to PTSD.
PTSD Risk Factors include:
Trauma that was severe, repeated, or prolonged.
Intimate proximity to the events as opposed to events observed from afar.
Significant personal injury or loss, or the death of someone close.
Intense feelings of powerlessness or helplessness during the traumatic event.
A previous mental health problem or diagnosis.
Very little help and support obtained after the trauma.
Signs and Symptoms: What Does PTSD look like?
Understanding PTSD means accepting that the daily struggle just to manage the disorder changes a person dramatically. It can often be lonely and emotionally exhausting.It may strain relationships and disrupt everyday life.Take a close look at the following PTSD symptoms:
Re-experiencing the Trauma
Do you relive the fear, pain, and helplessness repeatedly? Are you held hostage to memories and traumatic flashbacks?
Recall of your trauma may revisit you in nightmares or intrusive thoughts. Unexpected, extreme responses to sights, sounds, or smells may trigger overwhelming emotions.
Automatic Arousal
Are you constantly on edge or on alert? Are you ready to fight or prepared to flee at a moment’s notice?
PTSD is hard on the nervous system. You may feel jumpy or easily startled. Insomnia, panic attacks, and irritability are not uncommon.
Shutdown and Avoidance
Do you avoid hobbies, gatherings, activities, or previous routines to prevent upsetting triggers?
PTSD sufferers may stuff away the feelings associated with their trauma by emotionally shutting down and cutting off anything or anyone that reminds them of the trauma.
For some, avoidance is so deep-seated that they don’t cognitively recall the trauma but feel it physically or psychologically, experiencing general guilt, depression, or anxiety.
People Problems
Are your friends and family more a source of stress than comfort?
Are you struggling to connect or confused by your desire to isolate?
PTSD may have altered how you see and relate to those around you. Even people you love. Trust and positive interaction may prove difficult. It may seem logical to you to just back away.
Aches and Pain
Are you physically hurting from attempts to stave off the memories and remain in control?
Many PTSD sufferers experience headaches and digestive issues from the stress and constant tension.
If the causes and symptoms of PTSD look or feel familiar, please get help soon. The key to understanding PTSD is accepting that it is a real anxiety disorder, not a character or personality defect. It can be treated with the aid of a qualified therapist. It can get better. Reach out for a free consultation so that the work of recovery can begin.
To find out more about my services click here: PTSD Treatment. Serving Boulder, Longmont, Denver.
