Understanding Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Written By Chelsea Oliver

ABOUT PTSD

If you have experienced something traumatic, you may be feeling a lot of emotions, and that is normal! These emotions can include distress, fear, helplessness, guilt, shame, or anger. You may start to feel better after a few days or weeks, but if those symptoms last longer than you would expect them to or longer than a month, you may be experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD.

PTSD is an anxiety disorder that can occur following the experience of or witnessing of a traumatic event. A traumatic event is a life-threatening event or perceived life-threatening event such as natural disasters, serious accidents, assault, military combat, and more.

WHO CAN GET PTSD?

  • Anyone who was a victim, witnessed or has been exposed to a life-threatening situation.

  • Survivors of violent acts, such as domestic violence, rape, sexual, physical and/or verbal abuse or physical attacks.

  • Survivors of unexpected dangerous events, such as a car accident, natural disaster, or terrorist attack.

  • Combat veterans or civilians exposed to war.

  • People who have learned of or experienced an unexpected and sudden death of a friend or relative.

  • Emergency responders who help victims during traumatic events.

  • Children who are neglected and/or abused (physically, sexually or verbally).

Source: Mental Health America

SYMPTOMS OF PTSD

1. Reexperiencing the trauma in ways that make you feel distressed.

  • Repeatedly thinking about the trauma. You may find that thoughts about the trauma come to mind even when you don’t want them to.

  • Nightmares about the memories

  • Flashbacks about the trauma

2. Avoidance

  • Avoiding reminders of the trauma.  You may not want to talk about the event or be around people or places that remind you of the event. 

3. Changes in thoughts and mood

  • Memory problem

  • Negative thought about the world and yourself

  • Feeling blame about the trauma

  • Depression, isolation, sadness

  • Isolation

  • Difficulty relating or interacting with others

4. Feeling reactive

  • Irritable, angry,

  • Constantly alert or on guard

  • Jumpy or easily startled

  • Difficulty sleeping.

  • Difficulty concentrating

PTSD is a problem when it gets in the way of living the life you want to live. It can effect work, school, and relationships.

These are other symptoms of PTSD:

  • Physical symptoms: Chronic pain, headaches, stomach pain, diarrhea, tightness or burning in the chest, muscle cramps or low back pain.

  • Substance abuse: Using drugs or alcohol to cope with the emotional pain.

  • Relationship problems: Having problems with intimacy or feeling detached from your family and friends.

  • Depression: Persistent sad, anxious or empty mood; loss of interest in once-enjoyed activities; feelings of guilt and shame; or hopelessness about the future. Other symptoms of depression may also develop.

  • Suicidal thoughts: Thoughts about taking one’s own life. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call LifeWays 24/7 Crisis Phone Line at 1 (800) 284-8288 or text 4HELP to 741741.

Source: Mental Health America

TREATING PTSD

While there is no one simple answer, people do recover with a combination of supports. It can take some time to find out what works best for you, but it does get better.

To schedule an appointment with LifeWays you can call (517) 789-1209.


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Source: Mental Health America

Chelsea Oliver
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