Let’s Talk about it: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
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By Rachel D. Miller, LMFT
June is PTSD Awareness Month. While PTSD is most commonly connected to combat soldiers and veterans, it can also develop in first responders, survivors of domestic violence (abusive relationships), childhood, and sexual trauma, and natural disasters. Truthfully, any traumatic event can result in PTSD.
What is PTSD?
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, according to the National Center on PTSD, is a “mental health problem that some people develop after experiencing or witnessing a life-threatening event.”
Who might experience PTSD?
Anyone at any age can develop PTSD. It is more likely when a traumatic event is intense, occurs over a longer period of time, or the individual is injured in the event. Factors such as gender, age, level of social support, and previous experiences of trauma impact whether or not a person develops PTSD.
What are the symptoms of PTSD?
Symptoms may present within a month or so of the event or can develop years later. It can be short lived or be more of a chronic condition. Here are some of the common symptoms from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH):
• Re-experiencing the trauma via flashbacks, nightmares, or frightening thoughts which disrupt sleep and daily routines. Symptoms can start from your own thoughts and feelings or from reminders of the event such as sords, objects, or similar situations.
• Avoidance such as:
o Staying away from places, events, or objects that are reminders of the traumatic experience
o Avoiding thoughts or feelings related to the traumatic event
• Reactivity or hyperarousal:
o Being easily startled
o Feeling tense or “on edge”
o Having difficulty sleeping
o Having angry outbursts
These symptoms are typically constant, rather than triggered by reminders of the event, have you feeling stressed and angry, and may make it hard to do daily tasks.
• Changes in mood and cognition challenges such as:
o Trouble clearly remembering the event
o Negative thoughts about oneself or the world
o Loss of interest in enjoyable activities
o Distorted feeling like guilt or blame
If the symptoms last more than a month, seriously affect your ability to function, and are not due to substance use, medical illness, or anything except the event itself, you might have PTSD. Symptoms in children may look different, be sure to check with your child’s doctor or mental health care practitioner, if you have concerns.
Trauma focused psychotherapies recommended for PTSD:
• Eye Movement desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
• Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TD-CBT)
• Prolonged Exposure (PE)
Even if you are not experiencing all of the PTSD symptoms, it can still be helpful to have a therapist support you in processing your trauma. Please reach out to our office or utilize any of the resource below.
Resources if you or someone you love has PTSD:
• The National Center for PTSD
• The National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI)