PTSD generally occurs when the event that you experience is frightening and life-threatening. The longer you are exposed to the trauma, the more likely you are to develop PTSD. Look for literature and resources to help you better understand PTSD.
Common events that trigger PTSD include sexual assault, being threatened with a weapon, natural disasters, sudden loss of a loved one, car and airplane crashes, torture, combat, or witnessing a murder. It is important to note that most people who struggle with PTSD develop the disorder because of an act that was committed by another person, rather than a natural disaster.
A history of psychological issues within your family. If you have relatives that suffer from anxiety or depression, you may have a higher risk of developing PTSD. The individualized way you respond to stress. Stress is normal, but some people have bodies that create larger amounts of chemicals and hormones that can cause abnormal reactions to stress. Other experiences you have had. If you have gone through other life traumas such as childhood abuse or neglect, this new trauma might only add to the horror you felt in the past, leading to PTSD.
Refusing to think about the situation. Staying away from people, places, or objects that remind you of the event. Not wanting to talk about the experience. Throwing yourself into a distraction, becoming obsessed with that activity rather than thinking about the event you experienced.
Vivid, out-of-the-blue flashbacks to the event. Nightmares that focus on what happened. A ‘slide show’ of images of the event that you can’t seem to stop from playing in your head.
For example, a mother may go into denial after the death of her baby son. She may continue to talk to him like he is sleeping, rather than accepting that he is gone.
Negative thoughts about other people, places, situations and yourself. Indifference or a feeling of despair when thinking about the future. Inability to feel happiness or pleasure; feeling numb. Inability or severe difficulty to relate to others and maintain relationships. Memory problems ranging from forgetting small things to large memory gaps about the event.
Insomnia (which means an inability to sleep). Loss of appetite. Getting angered or irritated very easily and demonstrating aggression. Not being able to enjoy things that you found engaging before. Feeling overwhelmed by a strong sense of guilt or shame. Exhibiting self-destructive behaviors such as driving too fast, substance abuse, or making careless or risky decisions.
For example, if you experienced a bomb going off near you, you might find yourself jumping or panicking at the sound of someone dropping their keys or slamming a door.
Traditional talk therapy has shown effectiveness in helping treat either the symptoms of PTSD or helping sufferers cope with family, life or career problems that arise as a result of PTSD. Psychotherapy may be in the form of exposure therapy, which focuses on slowly talking about the traumatic event more and perhaps visiting places and/or people you have been avoiding, or stress inoculation training, which helps you to build healthy coping mechanisms to stressful or anxiety-provoking life events. A psychiatrist might prescribe you medications that may alleviate symptoms of depression, anxiety, or help to eliminate sleep disruptions.
