Post-traumaticstress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that's triggered by a
terrifying event — either experiencing it or witnessing it. Symptoms may
include flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable
thoughts about the event. Most people who
go through traumatic events may have temporary difficulty adjusting and coping,
but with time and good self-care, they usually get better. If the symptoms get
worse, last for months or even years, and interfere with your day-to-day
functioning, you may have PTSD. Getting
effective treatment after PTSD symptoms develop can be critical to reduce
symptoms and improve function.
Symptoms
Post-traumatic
stress disorder symptoms may start within one month of a traumatic event, but
sometimes symptoms may not appear until years after the event. These symptoms
cause significant problems in social or work situations and in relationships.
They can also interfere with your ability to go about your normal daily tasks.
PTSD symptoms
are generally grouped into four types: intrusive memories, avoidance, negative
changes in thinking and mood, and changes in physical and emotional reactions.
Symptoms can vary over time or vary from person to person.
Intrusive
memories
Symptoms of
intrusive memories may include:
Recurrent,
unwanted distressing memories of the traumatic event
Reliving the
traumatic event as if it were happening again (flashbacks)
Upsetting dreams
or nightmares about the traumatic event
Severe emotional
distress or physical reactions to something that reminds you of the traumatic
event
Avoidance
Symptoms of
avoidance may include:
Trying to avoid
thinking or talking about the traumatic event
Avoiding places,
activities or people that remind you of the traumatic event
Negative
changes in thinking and mood
Symptoms of
negative changes in thinking and mood may include:
Negative
thoughts about yourself, other people or the world
Hopelessness
about the future
Memory problems,
including not remembering important aspects of the traumatic event
Difficulty
maintaining close relationships
Feeling detached
from family and friends
Lack of interest
in activities you once enjoyed
Difficulty
experiencing positive emotions
Feeling
emotionally numb
Changes in
physical and emotional reactions
Symptoms of
changes in physical and emotional reactions (also called arousal symptoms) may
include:
Being easily
startled or frightened
Always being on
guard for danger
Self-destructive
behavior, such as drinking too much or driving too fast
Trouble sleeping
Trouble
concentrating
Irritability,
angry outbursts or aggressive behavior
Overwhelming
guilt or shame
For children 6
years old and younger, signs and symptoms may also include:
Re-enacting the
traumatic event or aspects of the traumatic event through play
Frightening
dreams that may or may not include aspects of the traumatic event
Intensity of
symptoms
PTSD symptoms
can vary in intensity over time. You may have more PTSD symptoms when you're
stressed in general, or when you come across reminders of what you went
through. For example, you may hear a car backfire and relive combat
experiences. Or you may see a report on the news about a sexual assault and
feel overcome by memories of your own assault.
When to see a
doctor
If you have
disturbing thoughts and feelings about a traumatic event for more than a month,
if they're severe, or if you feel you're having trouble getting your life back
under control, talk to your doctor or a mental health professional. Getting
treatment as soon as possible can help prevent PTSD symptoms from getting
worse.
If you have
suicidal thoughts
If you or
someone you know has suicidal thoughts, get help right away through one or more
of these resources:
Reach out to a
close friend or loved one.
Contact a
minister, a spiritual leader or someone in your faith community.
Call a suicide
hotline number — in the United States, call the National Suicide Prevention
Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) to reach a trained counselor. Use
that same number and press 1 to reach the Veterans Crisis Line.
Make an
appointment with your doctor or a mental health professional.
When to get
emergency help
If you think you
may hurt yourself or attempt suicide, call 911 or your local emergency number
immediately.
If you know
someone who's in danger of attempting suicide or has made a suicide
attempt, make sure someone stays with that person to keep him or her safe.
Call 911 or your local emergency number immediately. Or, if you can do so
safely, take the person to the nearest hospital emergency room.
Causes
You can develop
post-traumatic stress disorder when you go through, see or learn about an event
involving actual or threatened death, serious injury or sexual violation. Doctors aren't
sure why some people get PTSD. As with most mental health problems, PTSD is
probably caused by a complex mix of:
Stressful
experiences, including the amount and severity of trauma you've gone through in
your life
Inherited mental
health risks, such as a family history of anxiety and depression
Inherited
features of your personality — often called your temperament
The way your
brain regulates the chemicals and hormones your body releases in response to
stress
Risk
factors
People of all
ages can have post-traumatic stress disorder. However, some factors may make
you more likely to develop PTSD after a traumatic event, such as:
Experiencing
intense or long-lasting trauma
Having
experienced other trauma earlier in life, such as childhood abuse
Having a job
that increases your risk of being exposed to traumatic events, such as military
personnel and first responders
Having other
mental health problems, such as anxiety or depression
Having problems
with substance misuse, such as excess drinking or drug use
Lacking a good
support system of family and friends
Having blood
relatives with mental health problems, including anxiety or depression
Kinds of
traumatic events
The most common
events leading to the development of PTSD include:
Combat exposure
Childhood
physical abuse
Sexual violence
Physical assault
Being threatened
with a weapon
An accident
Many other
traumatic events also can lead to PTSD, such as fire, natural disaster,
mugging, robbery, plane crash, torture, kidnapping, life-threatening medical
diagnosis, terrorist attack, and other extreme or life-threatening events.
Complications
Post-traumatic
stress disorder can disrupt your whole life ― your job, your relationships,
your health and your enjoyment of everyday activities.
Having PTSD may also
increase your risk of other mental health problems, such as:
Depression and
anxiety
Issues with
drugs or alcohol use
Eating disorders
Suicidal
thoughts and actions
Prevention
After surviving
a traumatic event, many people have PTSD-like symptoms at first, such as being
unable to stop thinking about what's happened. Fear, anxiety, anger,
depression, guilt — all are common reactions to trauma. However, the majority
of people exposed to trauma do not develop long-term post-traumatic stress
disorder. Getting timely
help and support may prevent normal stress reactions from getting worse and
developing into PTSD. This may mean turning to family and friends who will
listen and offer comfort. It may mean seeking out a mental health professional
for a brief course of therapy. Some people may also find it helpful to turn to
their faith community. Support from
others also may help prevent you from turning to unhealthy coping methods, such
as misuse of alcohol or drugs.
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