Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a disorder that sometimes develops in individuals who experience, witness, or indirectly experience a traumatic event like death, injury, or sexual violence. Individuals who learn that a trauma happened to a close friend or family member can also develop PTSD.

Difficulty adjusting after a traumatic event is normal, and individuals may experience various PTSD symptoms that can significantly impact daily life. If your symptoms last for longer than a month and begin to impact your daily life - relationships, work, or school - you might benefit from speaking with a mental health professional.

PTSD Symptoms

Recognizing PTSD symptoms is crucial for those affected. These symptoms typically present within three months of a traumatic event and can resolve within six months, or last for longer than a year. PTSD symptoms and severity vary from person to person, and every case is different.

The symptoms of a PTSD diagnosis fall within four categories - re-experiencing, avoidance, arousal and reactivity, and cognition and mood.

Speaking with a therapist can help determine if you meet the criteria for a PTSD diagnosis. Even if you do not meet the criteria, but are still finding it difficult to get back to normal after experiencing something disturbing, talking with a therapist could help process difficult thoughts and emotions.

1. Re-experiencing

Symptoms include:

• Persistent, unwanted distressing memories of the trauma

• Flashbacks, reliving the event as if it's happening again

• Nightmares related to the traumatic event

• Severe emotional or physical responses to reminders of the trauma

2. Avoidance

Symptoms include:

• Avoiding thoughts or conversations about the traumatic event

• Steering clear of people, places, and activities that trigger memories of the trauma

3. Arousal and reactivity

Symptoms include:

• Being easily startled or frightened

• Constantly being on guard for danger (hypervigilance)

• Engaging in risky or self-destructive behavior

• Trouble sleeping and concentrating

• Irritability, angry outbursts, or aggressive behavior

• Overwhelming feelings of guilt or shame

4. Cognition and mood

Symptoms include:

• Negative views of oneself, others, or the world

• Hopelessness about the future

• Memory issues, especially related to the traumatic event

• Difficulty in maintaining close relationships

• Feeling detached from loved ones

• Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities

• Difficulty feeling positive emotions

• Emotional numbness

• Symptom Intensity

• PTSD symptoms can fluctuate in intensity over time, and are often made worse by stress or reminders of the trauma.

Getting Help

It is okay to seek professional help if you experience disturbing thoughts and feelings about a traumatic event for more than a month. Especially if these thoughts and feelings begin to negatively impact your relationships, work, and hobbies. Getting help can prevent your symptoms from getting worse.

Conclusion

Understanding the symptoms of PTSD is a significant first step toward recovery. If you or someone you know is struggling, reaching out for professional help can pave the way for improvement and healing. Remember, with the right support and treatment, navigating through the storm of PTSD is possible.

If you would like to begin working with a mental health professional, click here to get matched with a Kinder Mind therapist.

Please note:

Kinder Mind does not offer crisis services, and we are unable to provide help for those who are actively suicidal.

If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts or thoughts of hurting others please call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Hotline to speak with a trained crisis counselor. Or you can call 911 or head to the nearest emergency room.

FAQ

Question: What does PTSD stand for?

Answer: PTSD stands for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Question: What does PTSD feel like?

Answer: PTSD can feel like intense anxiety, feeling tense, and always being on the lookout for danger. People experiencing PTSD may also have trouble sleeping, difficulty concentrating, as well as disturbing or unwanted memories (intrusive thoughts) of the traumatic event.

Question: Can PTSD be cured?

Answer: PTSD is a complex mental health condition. The phrase “cured” is not an accurate outcome description of PTSD. However, it is appropriate to say that PTSD can be treated and effectively managed.

Question: Are PTSD and BPD similar?

Answer: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) are two distinct mental health conditions. Each has a distinct presentation, diagnosis criteria, and best approach for treatment. Childhood trauma is often cited as a risk factor in the development of BPD.

Article reviewed by Dr. Elizabeth Barlow, LCSW-S