Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, is a common mental health condition that appears after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. Examples of events might include natural disasters, violent attacks, car accidents or childhood abuse or neglect.
PTSD usually develops after a traumatic event. Some forms of trauma over long periods of time and can lead to a related condition known as Complex PTSD.
Symptoms of PTSD
Some signs of PTSD are:
- Constantly recalling about your trauma – You may find that thoughts about the trauma come to mind even when you don’t want them to. You might also have nightmares or flashbacks about the event.
- Being constantly alert or on guard – You may be easily startled or angered, irritable or anxious and preoccupied with staying safe.
- Avoiding reminders of said trauma – You may not want to talk about the event or be around people or places that remind you of the event. You may event forget details about the event or suppress your memories.
- Intense negative emotions and beliefs – You may feel depressed, anxious, guilty or angry. You might blame yourself for the trauma, or believe that no one can be trusted.
Most people who experience a traumatic event have symptoms like these for a few days after the event. But people with PTSD experience them for over a month and they interfere with the person’s life.
Additional Information
Around 1 in 11 people will experience PTSD at some time in their life. We usually think PTSD is something that affects male war veterans, but women experience PTSD twice as often as men.
PTSD often appears alongside other mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety. PTSD can be treated and many people recover from it.
If you need help regarding your past trauma, you can get help here at Aventis Wellness: