According to the National Center for PTSD, about 6 of every 10 men (60%) and 5 of every 10 women (50%) will experience at least one trauma in their lives. While some individuals who experience trauma may recover within a few months, others may feel the effects for years, with symptoms beginning long after the event. Overtime, these symptoms may develop into Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
PTSD can drastically alter one's life, making even daily routines feel daunting. Understanding the symptoms is the first step toward seeking help and reclaiming a sense of normalcy. This guide will walk you through 17 key signs and symptoms of PTSD, with their corresponding four major categories. Read all the way to the end for links to resources and additional support.
17 signs and symptoms of PTSD are:
Intrusive thoughts
Nightmares
Vivid flashbacks
Avoidance
Memory Loss
Self-Isolation
Negative Thoughts
Casting Blame
Difficulty Feeling Positive Emotions
Reduced Interest in Favorite Activity
Hypervigilance
Difficulty Concentrating
Anger and Irritability
Insomnia
Risky Behaviors
Memory Issues
Emotional Numbness
Each of these can be broken down into four main categories. They are:
Re-experiencing Symptoms
If you are living with PTSD, you may find yourself "reliving" the traumatic event in various ways throughout your life. This may manifest in a number of ways, including:
Flashbacks - where you vividly recall the event as if it's happening in real time
Nightmares - where the trauma plays out in your sleep
Why does this happen? These experiences can be triggered by certain sights, sounds, or smells that you subconsciously associate with the trauma, leading to intrusive thoughts and emotional distress that can be difficult to control. Physical reactions like sweating, a racing heart, or even panic attacks are common when these memories surface unexpectedly, as your body enters into fight-or-flight mode.
Avoidance Symptoms
Avoidance is when you go to great lengths to avoid reminders of the trauma. This can include avoiding specific places, people, or activities that might trigger memories of the event. It can also mean avoiding conversations or even thoughts related to the trauma, as confronting these can feel overwhelming.
We may not even be consciously avoiding things that remind us of the trauma, but these processes are occurring on a subconscious level. While avoidance may seem like a way to protect yourself from further emotional pain, it often leads to isolation and prevents healing, as it restricts your ability to process and move forward from the event.
Negative Thoughts and Mood Symptoms
Negative thoughts and mood disturbances are another category of PTSD symptoms. These may develop gradually, impacting your emotional well-being and worldview:
Persistent guilt or shame: Many individuals with PTSD struggle with feelings of self-blame or guilt over the trauma, even when it was out of their control.
Emotional numbness: A loss of ability to experience joy or connect emotionally with others is common, leading to withdrawal from previously loved activities or relationships.
Hopelessness: People living with PTSD often report feeling trapped by their memories, leading to a lack of hope for the future.
Memory issues: An inability to recall key details of the traumatic event can make it hard to process what happened and why.
These symptoms may leave you stuck in a cycle of despair, making it hard to break free from the emotional toll of trauma. Negative beliefs about oneself, others, or the world create a constant feeling of being on guard, which further isolates you.
Arousal and Reactivity Symptoms
Arousal and reactivity symptoms can keep you on constant alert, making it difficult to feel at ease, even in safe environments. These include:
Irritability and anger: You may find yourself more easily frustrated or prone to outbursts, even in situations that wouldn't normally upset you.
Hypervigilance: This heightened sense of being on guard can make you overly alert to potential dangers, even when none are present.
Exaggerated startle response: Sudden noises or movements might cause an intense physical reaction, such as jumping, sweating, or an increased heart rate.
Insomnia and difficulty concentrating: Many individuals with PTSD struggle to sleep, which can make concentrating during the day nearly impossible. Sleep disturbances, in turn, worsen emotional regulation and lead to increased irritability and difficulty focusing.
These symptoms keep the body in a heightened state of stress long after the trauma has passed, which takes a toll on both mental and physical health over time.
Is PTSD Treatable?
Now that we've discussed some of the signs and symptoms of PTSD, you might be wondering- is PTSD treatable? Absolutely! With the right approach, many people find significant relief from their symptoms and can regain control over their lives.
Therapies like trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) can all help reduce PTSD symptoms. Lifestyle changes, including mindfulness practices and support from loved ones, also play an essential role in recovery. Treatments such as trauma-informed therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes can significantly reduce symptoms.
At Trauma Recovery Services of Arizona, we specialize in culturally competent, trauma-informed care designed to meet the unique needs of marginalized communities, including BIPOC and veterans. Our experienced team is dedicated to providing individualized treatment options that respect each person's background and trauma history.
Take Back Your Life
Understanding the symptoms of PTSD is the first step towards healing. If you or someone you love is experiencing these symptoms, it's important to seek professional help. We're here to support you on your journey to recovery with our comprehensive, trauma-informed therapy services.
Visit the links below to learn more about how you can reclaim your life and begin a treatment plan for PTSD:
Not sure which service is right for you? Send us a message here and a member of our team will get in touch with you to discuss which options are the best for you.
Remember, you don't have to face this alone. We're here to help you every step of the way!
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