Today we will be exploring Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), a widely know but often misunderstood anxiety disorder that dramatically affects your daily life. We will be defining trauma, examining the effects of a traumatic event, and distinguishing trauma from PTSD.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder develops in response to a painful, disturbing, or distressing event, commonly referred to as trauma. Trauma can refer to anything from a car accident to a natural disaster, and often leaves a lasting impact on the person who experienced it. A common mistake that people make when thinking about trauma is assuming that all trauma is life threatening. While dangerous events can most certainly be traumatic, there are many non-threatening incidences such as abandonment or rejection that can be just as psychologically impactful.
After undergoing trauma, which nearly half of all people face at some point during their lives, it is common to experience a number of symptoms afterwards. Typical symptoms include:
- Nightmares
- Intense Anger
- Grief
- Stress
- Emotional Detachment
- Low Self-Efficacy
- Loss of Self-Esteem
- Self-Destructive Behavior
- Insomnia
- Substance Abuse
While all of these symptoms are disruptive and distressing, the most well known symptom of trauma is flashbacks, periods of dissociation during which an individual may re-experience a portion of their original trauma. Flashbacks tend to occur when the individual comes in contact with a trigger, something that reminds them of the traumatic event. If you have experienced trauma at some point during your life, it is very important to understand what your triggers are and how to cope with them.
While trauma can certainly be distressing and life changing, not everyone who experiences trauma will be diagnosed with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. In fact, only a small number of people are, because the effects of trauma tend to dissipate over time. If you notice, however, that these negative symptoms are not improving or continue to interfere with your daily functioning long after the traumatic event has occurred, it is possible that you may be experiencing PTSD. PTSD is diagnosed when individuals are presenting a range of psychological and cognitive symptoms, including flashbacks, avoidance or hyper-reactivity toward traumatic stimuli, and mood shifts.
PTSD is, however, a very treatable disorder, which can greatly improve if an individual takes the proper steps to work through their anxiety. After experiencing a traumatic event, it is crucial that you socially engage with friends and family to reduce the risk of developing more severe symptoms. There are also a number of support groups available for individuals who have experienced trauma, so, if you are in need of someone to talk to, these resources can be very helpful. Often times, simply talking through an event can significantly relieve stress. With the right coping strategies and support system, you have the power to overcome trauma and PTSD.
If you are struggling to cope with a traumatic event or suspect that you may be suffering from PTSD, seek help from a local Spokane health care professional.
Damaris Aragon, ARNP, BC provides a full spectrum of mental health care to people in Spokane, Washington and the surrounding areas. She focuses on providing compassionate personalized care that adheres to current evidence-based standards. Reach out to Damaris through her contact page or calling 509-342-6592.
