6 Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

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Being in a traumatic situation takes a lot from you. But sadly, that’s not where the torment ends. Experiencing a harrowing event could leave you with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and it may not always be very easy to identify. Since it is not something that should be neglected or taken lightly, we give you some of the symptoms of this disorder.

1. Re-experiencing the disturbing event

After going through a traumatic event, you might feel as if you are re-experiencing it. You may get haunted by its harrowing memories and they might prove very intrusive. Having constant flashbacks and frequent nightmares is another symptom. Every time you hear someone talking about the event, you might feel extremely distressed. Not just that, your body may react intensely to such reminders and you may experience tense muscles, nausea, sweat, rapid breathing, etc.

2. Avoidance and numbing

Another symptom of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is that you are likely to keep away from places, activities, etc., that are constant reminders of the event. In some cases you might not be able to re-collect some of the aspects of the trauma and there would be a gap in memory. There are also chances that you may feel a lack of drive and lose interest in life. This feeling of detachment could slowly lead to emotional numbness. Also, you may get very cynical about your future.

3. Excessive anxiety and emotional arousal

If you find yourself unable to fall asleep or get a good night’s sleep, then it could be a sign of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. This could be because you feel like you are on a constant red alert. As a result, you will eventually start losing your concentration. You could also have sudden outbursts of anger and feel very irritable. You are also likely to get anxious easily.

4. Feeling of guilt or shame

Being a part of a highly traumatic event may leave you with a strong feeling of guilt. You may keep feeling that you could have done more in the situation or suffer guilt for surviving a traumatic event. Also, you may also be haunted by a feeling of shame.

5. Substance abuse

To escape the troubling memories of a traumatic event, you may seek solace in things that seem to give you instant relief. This could make way for substance abuse. This again could be a sign that you are suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

6. Depression

When you start having a deep sense of hopelessness about everything around you and your life in general, it is a symptom of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Eventually you start suffering from depression and keep sinking deeper and deeper into that feeling.