Introduction
Has a traumatic event ever happened to you? Have you ever felt like the event was happening again, even though it's not actually happening? This is called a flashback. It can be triggered by a sound, smell, or even an emotion. In this article, we'll cover all the different signs of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) so you know if you're suffering from it or not.
Flashbacks
You feel as though you're back in the original situation. You may experience all of the physical sensations that accompany it, such as being cold or hot, sweating, and having rapid breathing. Flashbacks can be triggered by something that reminds you of the trauma--even something seemingly unrelated to it, like seeing a car crash on TV or smelling cigarette smoke. If you have PTSD, flashbacks are likely to happen when you sleep or are awake but not consciously thinking about them; they'll appear suddenly and without warning in your mind's eye.
Although flashbacks aren't real (they're actually just memories), they can feel very real and frightening when they occur: Your heart races uncontrollably; your muscles tense up; perhaps even worse than all this is how completely out-of-control these experiences make many people feel--as though there's nothing at all they can do except sit there feeling terrified until they pass away on their own accord!
Nightmares
Nightmares are unpleasant dreams that occur during sleep. They can be about the trauma, or they may be about other things. Some people have nightmares about something completely unrelated to their trauma--for example, if you were attacked by a dog and then get into an argument with someone who has dogs in their house, your mind might create a nightmare about being attacked by one of those dogs instead of remembering what happened during your attack (your memory would actually be triggered by being around those dogs).
Nightmares are common in all humans but are very frequent in people suffering from PTSD, especially those whose symptoms began after childhood (like soldiers returning from war).
Behavioral changes
Behavioral changes are an important sign of PTSD. They can be subtle or obvious, but they're often the first thing to notice. Some people become more irritable, angry and anxious; others become more withdrawn and isolated. Some have trouble sleeping; others become more agitated or restless.
Depression
Depression is a common symptom of PTSD, but it can also be caused by other factors. Depression often leads people to isolate themselves from friends and family, which can have a negative effect on the person's overall mental health. If you suspect that someone you know has been depressed for an extended period of time, consider talking with them about their feelings in order to help them feel more comfortable opening up about their depression.
Withdrawal from friends and family
● Withdrawal from friends and family
● Avoidance of social situations
● Becoming more isolated
● Avoidance of contact with people you used to be close to, like your family or friends
Trouble concentrating and paying attention
● Trouble concentrating and paying attention.
● Difficulty sleeping.
● Difficulty remembering things,
● Difficulties understanding what other people are saying to you.
PTSD can affect more than just your mental health.
It's normal to be afraid of the things that make you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. But if these feelings get worse over time, or if they start interfering with your everyday life and relationships, it's important to talk about them with a counselor who can help. It might be hard to know if you have PTSD because there are no tests or scans available yet that can diagnose it as easily as they do other conditions like diabetes or cancer.
● Intrusive thoughts related to the event (for example: flashbacks)
● Avoidance of anything connected with the event (for example: avoiding driving)
Conclusion
If you would like to learn more or would like counseling support, call 443-860-6870 or use the calendar to schedule a free 15-minute consultation.
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