Seven warning signs of PTSD you should never ignore

June is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Month. In the UK, one in 10 people are expected to have PTSD at some point in their lives.

Females between the ages of 16 and 24 are most likely to be diagnosed with PTSD (12.6% of the female population in this age range). And up to 70% of people with the disorder receive no professional support.

While many people may recognize that they struggle after a traumatic event, they may not be aware that they have PTSD. Dr. Anup Mathew, MD, associate professor and PTSD expert at Alternaleaf, explained, “PTSD or complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD) can often be misdiagnosed as other mental health problems.”

He added: “These could be anxiety and depression as there are some common symptoms. While PTSD symptoms often begin within three months of the traumatic event, they sometimes appear later, leaving people confused about the path of their struggles.”

A mental health condition can only be diagnosed by a doctor, reports Wales Online. However, these are seven signs of PTSD and how to find help.

1. Intrusive memories

Dr. Anup Mathew said, “Recurring, unwanted memories of a traumatic event, including flashbacks or nightmares, are a common symptom of PTSD. Vivid and often distressing memories of a trauma can make a person feel as if they are reliving the event itself. which can lead to high levels of physical and emotional reactions”.

2. Negative changes in your mood

The health expert added: “PTSD can often affect how a person feels in general and can also lead to significant changes in mood, known as mood swings. These negative thoughts can be about self, other people, feelings about the future, about work, and can make it difficult to maintain close relationships.

“These mood swings can often leave people feeling quite isolated and misunderstood. For some, the general change in mood can lead to feeling numb from emotion.”

3. Changes in physical and emotional reactions

“Being easily startled or startled by sudden movements or loud noises can often be associated with PTSD. This symptom can lead to hypervigilance, where one is so alert and constantly on guard that one’s anxiety is heightened to a great extent,” said Dr. Anup Mathew. .

“Irritability can also be a telltale sign of PTSD, and frequent or aggressive outbursts that are out of character could highlight that someone is struggling.”

4. Severe emotional distress

“When exposed to conversations or memories of a traumatic event, someone who has PTSD will often experience extreme emotional distress. Physical signs of this, such as sweating, nausea and a fast heartbeat, should be discussed with a doctor to seek treatments.”

5. Sleep problems

According to Dr. Anup Mathew, “there are many reasons why someone with PTSD may struggle with sleep. Falling asleep can be difficult due to hyperarousal and intrusive thoughts, and once asleep, can often be awakened by nightmares or anxiety.

“People with PTSD may feel the need to be on guard, to protect themselves from danger. It’s difficult to get restful sleep when you feel the need to be constantly alert or when you’re easily startled by noise.”

6. Detachment

“Feeling disconnected from others and your surroundings can often be a symptom of PTSD and can come from feeling that no one else understands or can relate to what you’re going through. This lack of connection can also prevent someone experiencing PTSD from feeling positive emotions. or experiences and lead to numbness.

“Detachment can distance people from friends, family and social situations and, in some circumstances, from work, general tasks such as shopping, and can lead to anxiety about leaving home.”

7. Derealization

“People experiencing PTSD can sometimes feel as if they are in a dream state, where life can feel and appear distorted or unreal. In some cases, when this symptom is particularly persistent, a subtype of PTSD called dissociative PTSD can be diagnosed,” explains the doctor.

“About 15% of people with PTSD also experience depersonalization and derealization to some degree, but to meet the diagnostic criteria for ‘PTSD with dissociative symptoms,’ a person with PTSD must also experience persistent symptoms or recurrent either depersonalization or derealization in response to the stressor.”

If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to talk to your doctor.

treatments

When it comes to treatment, dealing with the aftermath of traumatic events isn’t easy, but getting professional support and help through therapy and medication is essential to effectively managing PTSD. The main treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are talk therapy and medication.

It’s worth noting that seeking help for PTSD can lead to positive outcomes, even if the traumatic event happened years ago. It’s never too late to ask for support. Available treatments include talk therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR).

For adults dealing with PTSD, paroxetine and sertraline are generally the recommended medications. Paroxetine and sertraline are in the class of antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and your doctor can advise you on which is best for you.

In terms of finding support and guidance, there are several charities that offer peer support and counseling for those affected by PTSD. E.g:

• Combat Stress – a military charity specializing in helping ex-servicemen and women
• Rape Crisis – a UK charity providing a range of services for women and girls who have experienced abuse, domestic violence and sexual assault
• Victim support – providing support and information to victims or witnesses of crime
• CRUSE – a UK charity providing support and information for bereaved people