What are the signs of PTSD?

Have you or someone close to you ever gone through a traumatic experience that is still affecting that person today. Well those emotions and that stress that's been accumulating from the experience, can be of great concern because that my friend, can be considered as post traumatic stress disorder commonly known as PTSD, shell shock, or combat stress.

What exactly is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) occurs in some people who have endured terrifying experiences, such as a life-threatening attack or watching someone get killed. There symptoms usually last more than a month and you have frequent distressing flashbacks and nightmares and some noises may startle you and bring back memories of the experience.

Sometimes these symptoms don’t surface for months or years after the event or returning from deployment. They may also come and go. If these problems won’t go away or are getting worse—or you feel like they are disrupting your daily life—you may have PTSD.

What are the signs of PTSD you may ask, well the list isn't short, but if you seem to be experiencing some of these factors, you should really have someone help you out:

• Feeling upset by things that remind you of what happened
• Having nightmares, vivid memories, or flashbacks of the event that make you feel like it’s happening all over again
• Feeling emotionally cut off from others
• Feeling numb or losing interest in things you used to care about
• Becoming depressed
• Thinking that you are always in danger
• Feeling anxious, jittery, or irritated
• Experiencing a sense of panic that something bad is about to happen
• Having difficulty sleeping
• Having trouble keeping your mind on one thing
• Having a hard time relating to and getting along with your spouse, family, or friends

 It’s not just the symptoms of PTSD but also how you may react to them that can disrupt your life. You may:

• Frequently avoid places or things that remind you of what happened
• Consistent drinking or use of drugs to numb your feelings
• Consider harming yourself or others
• Start working all the time to occupy your mind
• Pull away from other people and become isolated

Two types of treatment have been shown to be effective for treating PTSD: counseling and medication. Professional counseling can help you understand your thoughts and discover ways to cope with your feelings. Medications, called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, are used to help you feel less worried or sad.
Your close friends and family may be the first to notice that you’re having a tough time. Turn to them when you are ready to talk. It can be helpful to share what you’re experiencing, and they may be able to provide support and help you find treatment that is right for you.