What Are the Signs of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects millions of Americans — about 6% of the population, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Once considered a disorder that only affected active and retired members of the military, today we know PTSD can affect anyone of any age and from any walk of life.

PTSD affects people who've experienced a traumatic event, either directly or indirectly. That can include traumatic experiences during military service, but it can also include events like motor vehicle accidents, assault, abuse, natural disasters, and even bullying. You can experience PTSD from direct exposure to trauma or by hearing about a traumatic event from another person or the news. 

Of course, not everyone who experiences trauma goes on to develop PTSD — in fact, researchers aren't sure why PTSD affects some people but not others. What we do know is that for those who have PTSD, the symptoms can be long-lasting and life-altering unless they get the treatment they need to manage their condition.

Temika Heyward, PhD, FNP, CRNP, PMH, and the team at Conduit Behavioral Health help people with PTSD get the care they need to relieve acute symptoms and manage them in the future, relying on an array of techniques and approaches, including individual therapy, family therapy, and group counseling. In this post, learn what signs and symptoms are associated with PTSD so you can determine if you might benefit from treatment.

Intrusive memories of the event

People with PTSD are plagued by memories surrounding their trauma. These memories tend to be recurrent, unpredictable, and involuntary. Memories can occur during flashbacks or dreams, making it feel as though the trauma is being re-experienced. Not surprisingly, intrusive memories can cause considerable stress and anxiety, often taking a toll on your everyday life and your relationships.

Avoidance behaviors

People who have PTSD will often go to great lengths to avoid people or situations that remind them of the trauma. This urge can result in people staying away from events involving family or friends or activities they once enjoyed, sometimes leading to isolation and increased anxiety and depression.

Negative changes in thoughts, mood, and behavior

People with PTSD can be filled with negative thoughts about the world or their little part of it. They may be distrustful or exhibit self-destructive behaviors. They may also have feelings of shame or guilt that can make it hard to have long-lasting, meaningful relationships or interfere with their work or other activities. They may also be prone to moodiness or outbursts of irritability or crying.

Hyperreactivity and hyperarousal

Many people with PTSD have an exaggerated startle response, becoming easily agitated or giving the sense that they are always "on high alert." Hyperarousal can make it hard to relax or sleep, worsening other symptoms.

Feelings of detachment or “unreality”

PTSD often creates a sense of emotional numbness or disconnection from other people and other settings. This symptom manifests as detachment or disinterest, often accompanied by an apparent lack of affection and emotional distance.

Problems focusing or concentrating

Like depression and anxiety disorders, PTSD interferes with concentration and memory, posing challenges at work, at school, or in social settings and relationships. Lack of sleep can also affect cognitive functioning, making this symptom especially difficult to overcome.

Find the treatment you need

PTSD shares symptoms with depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues, and having an evaluation is the first step toward ensuring you get the treatment you need to lead a happier, healthier, more fulfilling life. To learn how we can help, request an appointment online or over the phone with Dr. Heyward and the team at Conduit Behavioral Health in Baltimore, Maryland, today.