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If you went through a traumatic experience and
are having trouble getting back to your regular
life and reconnecting to others, you may be suffering
from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). When
you have PTSD, it can seem like you’ll never
get over what happened or feel normal again. But
help is available – and you are not alone.
If you are willing to seek treatment, stick with
it, and reach out to others for support, you will
be able to overcome the symptoms of PTSD and move
on with your life.
What is post-traumatic
stress disorder (PTSD)?
Wendy’s Story
Three months ago, Wendy was in a major car accident.
She sustained only minor injuries, but two friends
riding in her car were killed. At first, the accident
seemed like just a bad dream. Then Wendy started
having nightmares about it: waking up in a cold
sweat to the sound of crunching metal and breaking
glass. Now, the sights and sounds of the accident
haunt her all the time. She has trouble sleeping
at night, and during the day she feels irritable
and on edge. She jumps whenever she hears a siren
or screeching tires, and she avoids all TV programs
that might show a car chase or accident scene. Wendy
also avoids driving whenever possible, and refuses
to go anywhere near the site of the crash.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a disorder
that can develop following a traumatic event that
threatens your safety or makes you feel helpless.
Most people associate PTSD with battle-scarred soldiers
– and military combat is the most common cause
in men – but any overwhelming life experience
can trigger PTSD, especially if the event is perceived
as unpredictable and uncontrollable.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can affect
those who personally experience the catastrophe,
those who witness it, and those who pick up the
pieces afterwards, including emergency workers and
law enforcement officers. It can even occur in the
friends or family members of those who went through
the actual trauma.
Traumatic events that can lead to post-traumatic
stress disorder (PTSD) include:
• War
• Rape
• Natural disasters
• A car or plane crash • Kidnapping
• Violent assault
• Sexual or physical abuse
• Medical procedures (especially in kids)
PTSD is a response by normal people to
an abnormal situation
The traumatic events that lead to post-traumatic
stress disorder are usually so overwhelming and
frightening that they would upset anyone. When your
sense of safety and trust are shattered, it’s
normal to feel crazy, disconnected, or numb –
and most people do. The only difference between
people who go on to develop PTSD and those who don’t
is how they cope with the trauma.
After a traumatic experience, the mind and the
body are in shock. But as you make sense of what
happened and process your emotions, you come out
of it. With post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD),
however, you remain in psychological shock. Your
memory of what happened and your feelings about
it are disconnected. In order to move on, it’s
important to face and feel your memories and emotions.
Symptoms of post-traumatic
stress disorder (PTSD)
Following a traumatic event, almost everyone experiences
at least some of the symptoms of PTSD. It’s
very common to have bad dreams, feel fearful or
numb, and find it difficult to stop thinking about
what happened. But for most people, these symptoms
are short-lived. They may last for several days
or even weeks, but they gradually lift.
If you have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD),
however, the symptoms don’t decrease. You
don’t feel a little better each day. In fact,
you may start to feel worse. But PTSD doesn’t
always develop in the hours or days following a
traumatic event, although this is most common. For
some people, the symptoms of PTSD take weeks, months,
or even years to develop.
The symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD) can arise suddenly, gradually, or come and
go over time. Sometimes symptoms appear seemingly
out of the blue. At other times, they are triggered
by something that reminds you of the original traumatic
event, such as a noise, an image, certain words,
or a smell. While everyone experiences PTSD differently,
there are three main types of symptoms, as listed
below.
Re-experiencing the traumatic event
• Intrusive, upsetting memories of the event
• Flashbacks (acting or feeling like the event
is happening again)
• Nightmares (either of the event or of other
frightening things)
• Feelings of intense distress when reminded
of the trauma
• Intense physical reactions to reminders
of the event (e.g. pounding heart, rapid breathing,
nausea, muscle tension, sweating)
PTSD symptoms of avoidance and emotional
numbing
• Avoiding activities, places, thoughts,
or feelings that remind you of the trauma
• Inability to remember important aspects
of the trauma
• Loss of interest in activities and life
in general
• Feeling detached from others and emotionally
numb
• Sense of a limited future (you don’t
expect to live a normal life span, get married,
have a career)
PTSD symptoms of increased arousal
• Difficulty falling or staying asleep
• Irritability or outbursts of anger
• Difficulty concentrating
• Hypervigilance (on constant “red alert”)
• Feeling jumpy and easily startled
Other common symptoms of post-traumatic
stress disorder
• Anger and irritability
• Guilt, shame, or self-blame
• Substance abuse
• Depression and hopelessness
• Suicidal thoughts and feelings
• Feeling alienated and alone
• Feelings of mistrust and betrayal
• Headaches, stomach problems, chest pain
Getting help for post-traumatic
stress disorder (PTSD)
If you suspect that you or a loved one has post-traumatic
stress disorder (PTSD), it’s important to
seek help right away. The sooner PTSD is confronted,
the easier it is to overcome. If you’re reluctant
to seek help, keep in mind that PTSD is not a sign
of weakness, and the only way to overcome it is
to confront what happened to you and learn to accept
it as a part of your past. This process is much
easier with the guidance and support of an experienced
therapist or doctor.
It’s only natural to want to avoid painful
memories and feelings. But if you try to numb yourself
and push your memories away, post-traumatic stress
disorder (PTSD) will only get worse. You can’t
escape your emotions completely – they emerge
under stress or whenever you let down your guard
– and trying to do so is exhausting. The avoidance
will ultimately harm your relationships, your ability
to function, and the quality of your life.
Why Should I Seek Help for PTSD?
• Early treatment is better. Symptoms of
PTSD may get worse. Dealing with them now might
help stop them from getting worse in the future.
Finding out more about what treatments work, where
to look for help, and what kind of questions to
ask can make it easier to get help and lead to better
outcomes.
• PTSD symptoms can change family life.
PTSD symptoms can get in the way of your family
life. You may find that you pull away from loved
ones, are not able to get along with people, or
that you are angry or even violent. Getting help
for your PTSD can help improve your family life.
• PTSD can be related to other health problems.
PTSD symptoms can worsen physical health problems.
For example, a few studies have shown a relationship
between PTSD and heart trouble. By getting help
for your PTSD you could also improve your physical
health.
Source: National Center for PTSD
Finding a therapist for
post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
When looking for a therapist for post-traumatic
stress disorder (PTSD), seek out mental health professionals
who specialize in the treatment of trauma and PTSD.
You can start by asking your doctor if he or she
can provide a referral, however, he or she may not
know therapists with experience treating trauma.
You may also want to ask other trauma survivors
for recommendations, or call a local mental health
clinic, psychiatric hospital, or counseling center.
Beyond credentials and experience, it’s
important to find a PTSD therapist who makes you
feel comfortable and safe, so there is no additional
fear or anxiety about the treatment itself. Trust
your gut; if a therapist doesn’t feel right,
look for someone else. For therapy to work, you
need to feel respected and understood.
Help for U.S. veterans with PTSD
If you’re a veteran suffering from PTSD
or trauma, you can turn to your local VA hospital
or Vet Center for help. Vet Centers offer free counseling
to combat veterans and their families. To find out
more about the resources and benefits available
to you, you can also call the VA Health Benefits
Service Center at 1-877-222-VETS.
Treatment for post-traumatic
stress disorder (PTSD)
Treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
relieves symptoms by helping you deal with the trauma
you’ve experienced. Rather than avoiding the
trauma and any reminder of it, you’ll be encouraged
in treatment to recall and process the emotions
and sensations you felt during the original event.
In addition to offering an outlet for emotions you’ve
been bottling up, treatment for PTSD will also help
restore your sense of control and reduce the powerful
hold the memory of the trauma has on your life.
Types of treatments for post-traumatic
stress disorder (PTSD)
• Trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral
therapy. Cognitive-behavioral therapy for
PTSD and trauma involves carefully and gradually
“exposing” yourself to thoughts, feelings,
and situations that remind you of the trauma. Therapy
also involves identifying upsetting thoughts about
the traumatic event–particularly thoughts
that are distorted and irrational—and replacing
them with more balanced picture.
• EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization
and Reprocessing) – EMDR incorporates
elements of cognitive-behavioral therapy with eye
movements or other forms of rhythmic, left-right
stimulation, such as hand taps or sounds. Eye movements
and other bilateral forms of stimulation are thought
to work by “unfreezing” the brain’s
information processing system, which is interrupted
in times of extreme stress, leaving only frozen
emotional fragments which retain their original
intensity. Once EMDR frees these fragments of the
trauma, they can be integrated into a cohesive memory
and processed.
• Family therapy. Since
PTSD affects both you and those close to you, family
therapy can be especially productive. Family therapy
can help your loved ones understand what you’re
going through. It can also help everyone in the
family communicate better and work through relationship
problems.
• Medication. Medication
is sometimes prescribed to people with PTSD to relieve
secondary symptoms of depression or anxiety, but
it does not treat the causes of PTSD.
Self-help and support for
post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Recovery from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
is a gradual, ongoing processing. Healing doesn’t
happen overnight, nor do the memories of the trauma
ever disappear completely. This can make life seem
difficult at times. But there are many things you
can do to cope with residual symptoms and reduce
your anxiety and fear.
Reach out to others for support
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can make
you feel disconnected from others. You may be tempted
to withdraw from social activities and your loved
ones. But it’s important to stay connected
to life and the people who care about you. Support
from other people is vital to your recovery from
PTSD, so ask your close friends and family members
for their help during this tough time.
Also consider joining a support group for survivors
of the same type of trauma you went through. Support
groups for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
can help you feel less isolated and alone. They
also provide invaluable information on how to cope
with symptoms and work towards recovery. If you
can’t find a support group in your area, look
for an online group.
Avoid alcohol and drugs
When you’re struggling with the difficult
emotions and traumatic memories, you may be tempted
to self-medicate with alcohol or drugs. But while
alcohol or drugs may temporarily make you feel better,
they make post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
worse in the long run. Substance use worsens many
symptoms of PTSD, including emotional numbing, social
isolation, anger, and depression. It also interferes
with treatment and can add to problems at home and
in your relationships.
Challenge your sense of helplessness
Overcoming your sense of helplessness is key to
overcoming post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Trauma leaves you feeling powerless and vulnerable.
It’s important to remind yourself that you
have strengths and coping skills that can get you
through tough times.
One of the best ways to reclaim your sense of
power is by helping others: volunteer your time,
give blood, reach out to a friend in need, or donate
to your favorite charity. Taking positive action
directly challenges the sense of helplessness that
contributes to trauma.
Post-traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD) and the family
If a loved one has post-traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD), it’s essential that you take care
of yourself and get extra support. PTSD can take
a heavy toll on the family if you let it. It can
be hard to understand why your loved one won’t
open up to you – why he or she is less affectionate
and more volatile. The symptoms of PTSD can also
result in job loss, substance abuse, and other stressful
problems.
Letting your family member’s PTSD dominate
your life while ignoring your own needs is a surefire
recipe for burnout. In order to take care of your
loved one, you first need to take care of yourself.
It’s also helpful to learn all you can about
post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The more
you know about the symptoms and treatment options,
the better equipped you'll be to help your loved
one and keep things in perspective.
Helping a loved one with PTSD
• Be patient and understanding.
Getting better takes time, even when a person is
committed to treatment for PTSD. Be patient with
the pace of recovery and offer a sympathetic ear.
A person with PTSD may need to talk about the traumatic
event over and over again. This is part of the healing
process, so avoid the temptation to tell your loved
one to stop rehashing the past and move on.
• Try to anticipate and prepare
for PTSD triggers. Common triggers include
anniversary dates; people or places associated with
the trauma; and certain sights, sounds, or smells.
If you are aware of what triggers may cause an upsetting
reaction, you’ll be in a better position to
offer your support and help your loved one calm
down.
• Don’t take the symptoms
of PTSD personally. Common symptoms of
post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) include emotional
numbness, anger, and withdrawal. If your loved one
seems distant, irritable, or closed off, remember
that this may not have anything to do with you or
your relationship.
• Don’t pressure your loved
one into talking. It is very difficult
for people with PTSD to talk about their traumatic
experiences. For some, it can even make things worse.
Never try to force your loved one to open up. Let
the person know, however, that you’re there
when and if he or she wants to talk.
Related links for post-traumatic stress
disorder (PTSD)
General information about
post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Research Fact Sheet – Overview of the latest
research on PTSD, including its causes, risk factors,
and promising new treatments. (National Institute
of Mental Health)
Myths and Facts About PTSD –
Learn the truth behind common misconceptions about
PTSD. (Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Alliance)
How Common is PTSD? – Fact
sheet on the prevalence of PTSD in the U.S., including
its occurrence in the military. Also includes information
on PTSD causes and risk factors. (National Center
for PTSD)
Symptoms of post-traumatic
stress disorder (PTSD)
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Self-Test – Online self-test for PTSD to help
you evaluate your symptoms. (Anxiety Disorders Association
of America)
The Symptoms of Post-Traumatic
Stress Disorder: Chronic and/or Delayed –
Description of PTSD’s many symptoms, including
withdrawal, avoidance, isolation, and flashbacks.
(PTSD Support Services)
Treatment and help for
post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Treatment of PTSD – Guide
to the treatments for PTSD, including cognitive
therapy, exposure therapy, and EMDR. (National Center
for PTSD)
Finding a Therapist – Advice
on how to find a therapist for PTSD treatment. Includes
questions to ask a potential therapist. (National
Center for PTSD)
Therapy for Post-Traumatic Stress
and Dissociative Conditions: What to Look for and
How to Choose a Therapist – Tips on choosing
a therapist and treatments for PTSD. Includes a
phone number for referrals. (Sidran)
VVA's Guide on PTSD – Advice
for combat veterans on how to get help and claim
military benefits. (Vietnam Veterans of America)
Coping with post-traumatic
stress disorder (PTSD)
Coping with PTSD and Recommended
Lifestyle Changes for PTSD Patients – Tips
on how to cope with PTSD in healthy ways that promote
healing and recovery. (National Center for PTSD)
Managing Stress and Recovering
from Trauma: Facts and Resources for Veterans and
Families – Learn how to manage traumatic stress
and cope with the symptoms of PTSD. (National Center
for PTSD)
Helping a loved one with
post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Returning from the War Zone:
A Guide for Families (PDF) – Advice for service
members and their families on what to expect and
how to adapt after returning home from war. (National
Center for PTSD)
Partners with PTSD – Article
for the friends and family members of people with
PTSD. Includes an explanation of symptoms and what
you can do to help. (Gift from Within)
Partners of Veterans with PTSD:
Caregiver Burden and Related Problems – Learn
how to help a loved one with PTSD while still taking
care of yourself. Includes tips for dealing with
caregiver burnout. (National Center for PTSD)
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