“PTSD: It’s not the person refusing to let go of the past, but the past refusing to let go of the person.”
What is PTSD?
Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is an anxiety disorder that is caused by exposure to a stressful, frightening, or distressing event.
Most people who go through a traumatic event will need some time to adjust and cope with what they have experienced, and with time, they get better. However, in the case of PTSD, that isn’t always the case. A traumatic event or situation can cause the symptoms of PTSD to last for months, sometimes years. Dealing with PTSD can become debilitating and negatively impact day-to-day functioning.
In the following article, we’re going to discuss the symptoms of PTSD and the stigmas usually associated with the disorder.
What are the symptoms of PTSD?
The symptoms of PTSD vary from person to person and they are usually grouped into four types: negative changes in thinking and mood, intrusive memories, avoidance, and changes in emotional and physical reactions.
Negative changes in thinking and mood:
- Feeling detached from family or friends and difficulty maintaining relationships
- Negative self-perception and feelings of worthlessness or defeat
- Negative feelings towards others or the world
- Lack of interest in activities you once enjoyed
- Feelings of hopelessness about the future
- Trouble experiencing positive emotions
- Having trouble relating to others
- Numbing of emotions
Intrusive memories:
- Emotional distress or negative physical reactions to anything that reminds you of the traumatic event
- Reliving the experience through flashbacks, nightmares, or dreams
- Disturbing thoughts, feelings, or dreams related to the event
- Unwanted and recurring memories of the event
Avoidance:
- Avoiding places, individuals, and activities that remind you of the event or experience
- Trying to avoid thinking about the traumatic experience
Changes in emotional and physical reactions
- Hyperarousal such as anger, inability to sleep, or irritability
- Self-destructive behavior like drinking or driving fast
- Always being highly alert or on guard for danger
- Trouble sleeping or concentrating
- Negative alterations in mood
- Feelings of shame or guilt
- Being easily startled
The common misconceptions or myths about PTSD
1. Those who suffer from PTSD will suffer for the rest of their lives
This is not true. Recovery is very much possible from PTSD with the right support and treatment. Researchers and clinicians have developed treatment methods that reduce PTSD symptoms and allow sufferers to return to their normal lives. There are several types of treatment options, and they include:
- Medication
- Psychotherapy
- Family therapy
- Group therapy
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Prolonged exposure therapy
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
2. Military veterans are the only ones who suffer from PTSD
Again, not true. PTSD does not discriminate. A person doesn’t have to face a life-threatening event to develop PTSD. Although the disorder does affect many war vets, they are not the only ones who suffer. Anyone can develop PTSD, including children. People who have been through sexual assault, violent attacks, domestic abuse, and accidents can all be affected by PTSD.
Research shows that 70% of Americans will experience some type of traumatic event in their life, and from that group, 20% will develop symptoms of PTSD. Women are more prone to developing the disorder than men, and 10% of all women develop PTSD during their lifetime. Children who experience neglect, abuse, or molestation are also susceptible to developing PTSD.
3. PTSD can only affect someone immediately after the traumatic event
There is a common misconception that if a long time has passed, a person is no longer at risk of developing PTSD. This isn’t true. Although symptoms generally show up around three months after the traumatic experience or event, sometimes, symptoms can take months, years, or even decades to appear. This is especially true if the trauma took place during youth. This is formally known as delayed onset PTSD.
For some people, symptoms will exist continuously for years, while for others, the symptoms will come and go. The nature of the disorder can make it difficult for people to recognize PTSD in themselves.
4. Experiencing PTSD is a sign of mental weakness
PTSD is not a character flaw and the symptoms of PTSD are not a sign of mental weakness. In the same way that physical trauma can take time to heal, traumatic experiences can take a long time to recover from. Just like a genetic predisposition can make someone more prone to heart disease, some individuals might develop PTSD because of a genetic predisposition.
PTSD and the responses and behaviors associated with the disorder are not voluntary, PTSD is the brain’s way of protecting a person from danger or threat. Seeking professional help or treatment is not a sign of mental defeat, it is an essential step in treating the disorder.
5. People who suffer from PTSD are prone to violence or violent behavior
Elspeth Cameron Ritchie, MD, MPH, a professor of psychiatry at Georgetown University in Washington, DC. says: “One of the biggest myths out there is that a person with PTSD is a ticking time bomb waiting to explode. There is this sense that all people who have PTSD are unstable. Now, it is true that people with PTSD are likely to be irritable, but PTSD has a wide range of symptoms and this idea that everyone who has PTSD is going to explode is a mischaracterization.”
Neither aggression nor psychosis are symptoms of PTSD. Some research studies found that people with PTSD were more inclined to violence than the general population, but these effects were eliminated with the confounding influences of co-occurring psychiatric disorders and substance misuse. Research supports that there is little evidence that shows PTSD is related to higher levels of violent crime.
6. People who suffer from PTSD all experience the same symptoms
Like most mental disorders, the diagnosis of PTSD includes a variety of symptoms and these can vary widely between individuals. To be diagnosed, it is required that someone has at least one symptom from the four clusters: negative changes in thinking and mood, intrusive memories, avoidance, and changes in emotional and physical reactions. This means that the disorder can look very different from one person to another.
The symptoms individuals develop can depend on the type of trauma they experienced and the intensity of the symptoms may also vary since individuals can potentially experience any combination of symptoms. There isn’t a singular way that the disorder appears in individuals, as everyone experiences PTSD differently.
How to address people when they don’t understand what PTSD is
It can be difficult to share with others what we are struggling with, especially when it comes to mental health. It is even more difficult when others don’t understand exactly what we’re going through.
Explaining trauma and PTSD with others is easier when we have made efforts to educate ourselves about the disorder. The next time someone is having trouble understanding your PTSD, help them understand by explaining that trauma comes in many forms and is experienced by most people during their life—it is part of the human condition.
Remember that you don’t need to tell everyone about your PTSD, it is better to only share details with those who you trust that will understand and support you.
The difficulties of dealing with PTSD
PTSD can be quite a debilitating disorder, causing changes in one’s mood, emotions, and interactions with others. A person who suffers from PTSD may also feel uncomfortable sharing with others that they suffer from the condition, due to feelings of shame and discomfort. Sufferers might not want others to know they have PTSD, leading them to hide their disorder due to a fear of being judged or being treated differently, which can make living with the condition even harder.
Since PTSD is an invisible difficulty, this can make it hard for others to understand what someone with PTSD is going through. Others might not realize that people with PTSD require support or help in their daily life.
It’s very important to be respectful, kind, and compassionate to those who suffer from disabilities, both visible and invisible. When we treat people with PTSD fairly and compassionately, we can help them speak openly about their disorder and feel comfortable seeking help and support. Not only will this increase awareness about the disorder, but it also ensures a better life for those who suffer from PTSD.
How dealing with PTSD can affect someone’s day
There are several ways that PTSD may affect someone’s daily life:
PTSD can make you feel scared and powerless
This means that a person can re-experience the traumatic event or situation with flashbacks or in their sleep. These unwanted recollections can come without warning and negatively impact one’s mood and behavior. They can trigger feelings of fear and helplessness as the individual perceives that the event is happening all over again.
PTSD can make you avoid people, places and things
Someone who suffers from PTSD can easily become triggered by certain things, places and people who remind them of the trauma. For example, someone who was seriously injured in a car accident might avoid getting in cars or driving. If the trauma occurred in a certain place, avoidance can cause the person to avoid going near that place. Similarly, a person might avoid people that they identify with the trauma or traumatic experience.
PTSD can affect your physical health
Not only can PTSD have psychological symptoms, but it can also manifest in physical effects from the trauma. People who suffer from PTSD might find that they have difficulty eating, sleeping, and concentrating. They might also find that they are easily startled. All of these can have major effects on one’s social life as well as their relationships.
PTSD can make you feel alone or alienated
For many with PTSD, feelings of alienation are common. A person with PTSD might feel like the people around them won’t understand what they’re going through, and this can cause them to create distance between themselves and others. This withdrawal from others can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness.
PTSD can change your outlook on the world
A person who suffers from PTSD might experience negative thoughts not only about themselves, but the world in general. They might believe that life is not worth living, or that things won’t get better for them. Sometimes they might even experience suicidal ideation. It’s very important for anyone who entertains suicide to seek immediate medical attention.
PTSD can lead to alcohol or drug abuse
Since suffering from PTSD can take a heavy mental and physical toll on someone, this can make sufferers turn to alcohol or drugs to cope with their condition or to help alleviate their symptoms. Some individuals may not even realize they are using alcohol or drugs to cope, and all of this can make their PTSD worse in the long run, and prevent them from seeking treatment.
Irritability or anger issues
Due to the fight-or-flight response that is experienced by people with PTSD, this can lead to a constant state of heightened anxiety. Not only can this cause irritability, but it can also manifest in anger. Professional treatment can help those who suffer from emotional instability. Behavioral health treatments are great for this, as treatment is customized to the needs of each patient.
When and where to seek help
The symptoms of PTSD and their intensity can vary over time, but if you or someone you love is having trouble dealing with the disorder and getting things under control, it’s advisable to seek professional help. Seeking professional help can prevent symptoms from developing and getting more severe.
There is absolutely no shame in seeking help. Fortunately, with the right treatment and support, those suffering from PTSD and debilitating symptoms can learn to manage them and conquer the disorder. Call the Alvarado Parkway Institute or get in touch today to begin your recovery journey with us.
