PTSD is a mental health disorder common amongst people who have experienced intense trauma in the past. However, you may not realize that you are struggling with this problem. You may believe that you can get PTSD only if you have anxiety problems. However, you might be wrong because it does not account for the whole picture; you could also have depression, negative thoughts, and self-destructive behavior.
Below, we have listed some common PTSD symptoms you should watch out for.
Feeling panicked- If you are struggling with PTSD, you may experience physical symptoms similar to those of panic attacks — a racing heart, excessive sweating, tense muscles, increased blood pressure, dizziness, and blurry vision. You can also develop serious physical health issues, including heart disease, diabetes, autoimmune disorders, sleep, and digestive problems.
Depression or irritability- If you experience mood-related symptoms like anger, depression, shame, guilt, and hopelessness, you might have PTSD. However, these symptoms are not unique to PTSD and you may require a professional diagnosis.
People struggling with PTSD often suffer pangs of excessive guilt and/or find it difficult to forget the trauma they have seen/experienced in the past. They often blame themselves for not stopping the incident from happening and feel guilty for themselves or the victim(s). It results in thoughts like “It was my fault” or “I wish I would have acted in a certain way,” leading to depression.
Flashbacks- Unwanted and intrusive memories or flashbacks can force you to relive the traumatic event. Certain sights smells, and sounds (like a car siren or loud bangs, etc.) can trigger flashbacks and even lead to a panic attack.
Nightmares– One of the most common symptoms of PTSD is nightmares resulting in poor sleep. They are basically part of your brain’s recovery process to help you cope with the trauma and pain. You can also have nightmares triggered by your own words or thoughts, or something other people say or do.
Avoiding people, places, or things- You may go to extreme lengths to avoid anything that could be a trigger. For instance, you may avoid driving a car after a car accident. This avoidance can worsen as you may not even want to get out of your house after the accident.
You may also isolate yourself from others and resort to drugs or alcohol to distract from the trauma.
Paranoia- Often, people struggling with PTSD become hypervigilant. You may be scanning the environment and looking out for threats all the time. It may even mean always sitting at the back in a room to prevent anyone from sneaking up on you.
It can also disturb your sleep cycle as you may find it difficult to fall and stay asleep.
Getting startled easily– People struggling with PTSD often experience hyperarousal, i.e., they overreact when they are startled or surprised. The reaction can be even more exaggerated if the intrusion reminds them of the
trauma.
You may also experience sudden outbursts of anger and disturbing emotional patterns.
About Steps Recovery Centers
If you or your loved one is experiencing any of the above-mentioned symptoms, you should consult a mental health therapist or enroll in a recovery center to overcome PTSD. At stress rehab centers, we offer treatment for various mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD. We enjoy an excellent reputation amongst our existing clients. For more information about us, contact us at 801-800-8142.
