Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms - article by Good English Article Sites

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms

Post traumatic stress disorder develops in individuals in the aftermath of a traumatic event. Post traumatic stress disorder is commonly associated with veterans of war, but there are a variety of events that can cause the condition to occur. People might experience post traumatic stress disorder symptoms after being held at gunpoint, or experiencing a natural disaster, or being in a car accident. There are many such occurrences that can profoundly affect an individual to the point that it interferes greatly with being able to carry on with life. Biological factors are also thought to contribute, such as genetic predisposition, temperament, and brain activity. Being genetically predisposed to depression or anxiety, having a milder personality and releasing more stress hormones in the brain can interact with traumatic events and increase the likelihood of developing PTSD. There are 3 different types: intrusive memories, emotional numbing, and hyperarousal, and a variety of post traumatic stress disorder symptoms.

Symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder having to do with intrusive memories are having recurrent flashbacks of the traumatic event or having nightmares about them. The length of flashbacks can vary from a few minutes to even a few days. Post traumatic stress disorder symptoms for emotional numbing are avoiding thoughts of the event, withdrawing from activities and relationships, feeling numb, problems with concentration and memory, and hopelessness. Lastly, signs of post traumatic hyperarousal are trouble sleeping, irritability, self destructive behavior, feelings of guilt and shame, and paranoid thoughts and behavior, such as being easily startled and having visual or auditory hallucinations.

It’s normal to experience some form of post traumatic stress disorder symptoms after trauma, but it becomes PTSD when the symptoms persist over a month or are severely interfering with daily life. Sometimes patients are reluctant to seek help because they don’t feel like reaching out, or they feel like reaching out is hopeless, or they feel ashamed for doing so. However, in the end it’s up to an individual to seek help or not. Friends and family might be aware of what you’re going through, but only you can truly understand the experience. It’s difficult to do something about the situation, but you’re the only one who really can. Professional help and outside support is exactly that—it supports you by helping you to get up, but you’re the one who has to stand on your own two feet. As they say, it takes a lot of courage and strength to seek support.

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