How to recognize symptoms of PTSD and get help
4-minute read
Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is a mental health
condition some people develop after experiencing or witnessing traumatic events
that are dangerous, shocking, or scary. These events can include things like a
natural disaster, accident, war, personal assault, abuse, an extended illness,
bullying, and other stressful events.
According to the American
Psychiatric Association, about 1 in 11 people will experience PTSD in their
lifetime. PTSD can affect people of all ages, although women are more likely to
experience it.
What are the 5 signs of PTSD?
People who have PTSD continue to feel frightened or stressed
even when the traumatic event has passed, and they are no longer in danger. The
five most common signs and symptoms of PTSD include:
- Reliving the traumatic
event. Having intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, or nightmares about the
event is a common experience among people who have PTSD. Memories of the
traumatic event can be very vivid, feel real, and repeat again and again.
- Avoiding reminders of
the trauma. Staying away from anything that's reminding you of the
trauma — people, places, activities — is common. Not thinking or talking
about it is also common. Blocked memories can also occur, making it hard
to remember certain aspects of the traumatic event.
- Negative or isolating
thoughts and feelings. PTSD can cause you to feel anger, guilt, and
shame. You might also blame yourself for what happened. Losing interest in
activities you used to enjoy or no longer spending time with friends and
family can also happen.
- Feeling constantly on
edge. After a fearful experience, you might be easily startled, feel irritable, depressed, or have
outbursts. You may also have trouble sleeping or concentrating. Feeling
overly suspicious of people or surroundings isn't uncommon, and some
people may engage in unhealthy coping skills, such as consuming alcohol or
drugs, to help them deal with their symptoms.
- Experiencing long-term
symptoms. The symptoms of PTSD can last for a long time after the
traumatic event for months or even years. Long-term PTSD can be harmful to
both physical and mental health.
How PTSD affects the body
When you feel scared, nervous, or stressed about something,
your body quickly releases stress hormones. This is called the
"fight-or-flight" response, which helps keep you safe from danger. It
can also be help you accomplish a difficult task or get through a tough
situation. This type of stress reaction is usually short-lived and not harmful.
Examples of stressful events or situations that may cause a
temporary fight-or-flight response include:
- Getting ready for a
physical challenge
- Giving a speech
- Having a heated argument
with someone
- Hearing a loud, unexpected
noise
- Taking an exam
Even though you feel scared or worried at first, those
feelings should disappear soon after the event passes. However, if you go
through a very scary, traumatic, or dangerous event, it's normal to continue
experiencing some mental
health problems when it's over, but you should start to feel better in time
as your body recovers on its own. It can also be helpful to share your feelings
with a close friend.
But sometimes you can't recover on your own. PTSD can
disrupt the neurotransmitters that transmit important chemical signals between
your nerve cells. If PTSD symptoms last for more than a month and make it hard
for you to do normal, everyday tasks, you should seek help from a qualified
mental health provider. PTSD can be treated, and many people with PTSD go on to
lead happy, healthy lives.
Treating symptoms of PTSD
Treatment for PTSD has been proven to work and help people
feel safe again. If one particular treatment doesn't work, a combination of
treatments could be the key to recovering from PTSD.
Talk therapy, or psychotherapy, is considered one of the
most effective treatments for PTSD. Talking with a qualified provider about
what happened to you, known as trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy
(TF-CBT), involves working with a mental health provider to change negative
thoughts and behaviors related to the traumatic event. TF-CBT can help you
identify and challenge negative thoughts and feelings related to the trauma and
learn coping skills to manage symptoms.
Other treatments for PTSD include:
- Eye movement
desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) — EMDR is another effective
treatment for PTSD that involves focusing on a traumatic memory while a
provider directs your eye movements. This therapy can help you process the
memory in a new way, which can reduce the intensity of the emotional
response.
- Medication —
Antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) can be very
helpful for reducing the symptoms of PTSD. These medications
work by increasing the levels of serotonin in the brain, which can
help reduce anxiety and improve mood so you can get back to doing things
you enjoy.
- Service dogs — Specially
trained PTSD
dogs have helped many people struggling with PTSD symptoms feel better.
These dogs know how to recognize when you're feeling stressed and may
apply gentle pressure to your body when you feel anxious. If you're having
a flashback, they can nudge you as a way to distract you from the
distressing memory.
If you have PTSD, it's also important to take care of your
physical health. Try to get enough sleep, exercise
regularly, and eat a balanced diet. Of course, these things might be
difficult to achieve when you're coping with PTSD, making it all the more
important to seek help. In addition to finding a good therapist, your primary care provider
is an excellent resource who can help you adopt healthy lifestyle habits.
PTSD is a serious condition that can affect your everyday
life, but it's treatable, and the sooner you get treatment, the sooner you'll
start feeling better.
If you think you are experiencing symptoms of PTSD, request an appointment
with one of our experienced mental health providers. At Reid Health, we're right
beside you.