How to Notice Signs of PTSD & What to Do About It?

Post-traumatic stress disorder, known as PTSD, is a rather serious problem that can affect your day-to-day functioning. It can occur as a consequence of experiencing a traumatic event, whether in childhood or later in life, and it affects millions of people worldwide. War veterans, survivors of abuse, as well as anyone else who may have experienced what they perceived as a life threatening situation, with a note that all people, and especially children, perceive differently, and that they could have thought of something to be life-threatening even if it didn’t feel so from our point of view, can develop this condition. Understand the disorder better by visiting this useful source.

We human beings are often very good at not only hiding, but also repressing our own feelings and thoughts, as well as at downplaying the seriousness of our experiences. As time passes, we get used to the situations we are in, and the things we are feeling, often coming to the conclusion that the entire world has it the same, and that there is nothing to worry about. This can often lead to people not recognizing that they have PTSD, and thus, consequently, not getting adequate treatment.

The problems won’t go away on their own, though. And, at one point or another, we may realize that we are struggling with, say, maintaining relationships, keeping our jobs, or basically functioning in any other area in our lives. Or, we may find ourselves constantly feeling down, stressed out, and often being in a state of panic even if the situation doesn’t objectively call for it. But, our experiences are formed through the subjective apparatuses that are our minds, so what we perceive subjectively is what is real for us.

All of this calls for one thing. In short, we have to be more attune to both our bodies and our minds, aiming at noticing any signs and symptoms of PTSD and thus doing something about it on time. So, what we are going to do below is talk about some of those signs that you should be on the lookout for, either in yourself, or in someone close to you. And, after that, we will propose a solution, putting you on the right track towards easing the disorder and thus improving the overall quality of your life.

Common Signs and Symptoms

Clearly, we are going to begin with the more pressing question. After all, to successfully do something about this, you first need to be able to notice PTSD Signs and Symptoms, once again, either in yourself, or in a person close to you, a person that you love and want to help. So, let me tell you about some common signs that can indicate that a person is suffering from this disorder.

First off, there are the intrusive thoughts and memories, and they stand out not as the most common, but as the most obvious signs of PTSD. And, we are not talking only about flashbacks, although those are certainly on the list. But, nightmares can be an indicator as well, and so can severe emotional and bodily distress when talking about, or being reminded of the trauma.

A lot of people take the above symptom as necessary, so to speak, thus failing to consider they may have PTSD if they aren’t experiencing such flashback and memories. This, however, is wrong, since the disorder can manifest through various different symptoms. For example, agitation, persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness, feelings of guilt and self-blame, hypervigilance, shakiness, panic attacks, substance abuse, suicidal thoughts… All of those can be signs that a person is battling with a post-traumatic stress disorder.

Furthermore, headaches, memory troubles, and especially being unable to remember some key aspects of the traumatic event, as well as problems with concentration can all be indicators of this condition. In addition to all of that, if you are noticing that you are withdrawing from your family and friends, and you can’t seem to enjoy activities that you previously loved, you should also consider getting proper treatment for PTSD. Of course, you can use everything I’ve said to try and notice the signs in the people you care about, and then try and get them the help they need.

Read more about the disorder and the treatment here: https://www.helpguide.org/mental-health/ptsd-trauma/ptsd-symptoms-self-help-treatment 

What Should You Do About It? 

If you have noticed any of those signs in yourself, and you suspect that you may be suffering from PTSD, you are now probably wondering what to do about it. Well, the key is in cooperating with professionals, such as doctors and psychotherapists, and let them guide you on your healing journey, using the right techniques to help you ultimately feel better. If, however, you have noticed these signs in someone else, what you can do is suggest they get help, and even find those helpful resources for them, and then wait and see if they will react. Remember to be patient, since everyone has to start this healing journey at their own time and go through it at their own pace.