Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder triggered by experiencing or witnessing a frightening event. PTSD is a very real illness and it can be debilitating. Most commonly associated with war veterans, PTSD can happen to anyone who is exposed to a traumatic event, including young children. It is normal to experience extreme emotions after a traumatic event, but if symptoms persist for more than a month, or crop up months or years later. You may be suffering from PTSD.
Causes of PTSD
Exposure to any type of horrific or life-threatening event can cause PTSD. Examples include:
- Combat
- Terrorist attack
- Natural disaster
- Sudden loss of a loved one
- Domestic violence
- Sexual assault
- Kidnapping
- Other violent assaults
- Motor vehicle accident
- Fire
- Other accidents
- Assisting victims of traumatic events
Symptoms of PTSD
Symptoms of PTSD can include:
- Constant, unwanted thoughts about the traumatic event
- Flashbacks
- Nightmares
- Extreme reactions to things that remind you of the event
- Constantly on alert or on guard
- Easily startled or frightened
- Not wanting to talk about the event
- Avoiding people or places that remind you of the event
- Feeling emotionally numb
- Detaching from friends and family
- Losing interest in activities
- Sleep disorders
- Panic attacks
- Angry outbursts
- Feelings of hopelessness
- Overwhelming guilt or shame
- Loss of trust in others
- Substance abuse
- Relationship problems
- Depression
- Suicidal thoughts
- Physical symptoms such as chronic pain, muscle cramps, or diarrhea
Living with PTSD
PTSD can be very debilitating. It can interfere with your ability to hold a job, engage in the activities you used to enjoy, and even to perform normal daily activities such as riding in a car or going grocery shopping. There are treatments that can help. Examples include:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Exposure therapy
- Cognitive processing therapy
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
- Psychodynamic therapy
- Couples and family therapy
- Medications
- Support groups
- Service animals