Information about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

If you’ve lived through a frightening event and are having trouble coping, you have Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, is a psychiatric disorder that results from having lived through a terrifying and traumatic event. Rape, violent assault or combat are all common causes of PTSD. If you have PTSD, you may have intrusive, uncontrollable thoughts, flashbacks, nightmares, extreme anxiety and disturbed sleep. It’s common for people with to have major depression or an anxiety disorder along with PTSD.

If you think you might have PTSD, have a look at the following symptoms

Intrusive memories

Intrusive memories push themselves to the forefront of a person’s mind. Symptoms include:

Unwanted, recurring and painful memories of the event.
Full-sensory flashbacks—that means you may relive the experience, seeing, hearing and feeling as if you are back in the traumatic situation.
Nightmares about the event.
Intense emotional distress or painful physical reactions if something reminds you of the traumatic event.

Avoidance

Attempting to avoid talking or thinking about the event.
Avoiding people, activities or places that might make you think of the event.

Changes in physical and emotional reactions

High levels of anxiety.
Being easily startled.
Being overly vigilant for danger, always on guard.
Self-destructive behavior, being careless with one’s life.
Attempting to cope by abusing drugs or alcohol.
Insomnia.
High levels of Irritability, easily angered with outbursts.
Profound feelings of shame and guilt.

Negative changes in thinking and mood

Pessimistic thinking about one’s self and the world.
Feeling hopeless about the future.
Problems with memory, poor focus and poor concentration.
Trouble with relationships.
Inability to feel please or interest in formerly pleasant or fun activities.
Feeling distant from everyone and emotionally numb.

For a person to be diagnosed with PTSD requires having many of these symptoms every day for at least one month, and the symptoms must be severe enough to cause significant problems with life activities, like work and relationships.

If you’re concerned that you or a loved one might have PTSD, don’t suffer in silence. Seek help from an experienced psychiatric nurse practitioner who can help you understand what you’re feeling, why you’re feeling it and provide you options to move forward.

Damaris Aragon, ARNP, BC provides a full spectrum of mental health care to people in Spokane, Washington and surrounding areas. She focuses on providing personalized care that adheres to current evidence-based standards. Reach out to Damaris through her contact page or calling 509-342-6592.

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