No one gets through life without some heartache and struggle. While we may not consider them "traumatic", anything that includes intense loss, helplessness, fright, or abuse can be traumatic. These might happen one time or over an extended period of time. Even witnessing a terrible event as a bystander or in the media can be traumatic. We may bounce back to normal pretty quickly, but sometimes, for some people, trauma doesn’t fade into memory or lose its visceral impact. Sometimes, trauma gets stuck in the mind and body, triggering reactions and upset that we’ve come to know as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Again, not everyone experiences this trauma response but it’s important to recognize it if you or someone you care about does.
Why? Because, if you’re living with PTSD, you may be beating yourself up for not getting over the past. Or living a very restricted, unfulfilling life as you try to avoid tough memories. Or your relationships may be strained as the people around you struggle to understand your anxiety or withdrawal.
During a traumatic situation, your brain goes into survival mode. If it never really lets go or releases the tension and terror, PTSD can occur. You might not know why or even realize what’s wrong.
June 27th is National PTSD Awareness Day. If you sense trauma might be getting in your way, please consider the following indicators and consider therapy.
General PTSD Symptoms
Though symptoms vary widely, and can be shared with other conditions, common symptoms of PTSD include:
- racing thoughts
- low mood and negativity
- flashbacks and nightmares
- strong startle reflex
- anger and irritability
- intrusive thoughts
- suspicion and distrust
- withdrawal and isolation
- fatigue and listlessness
- self-harm or suicidal thoughts
Still not sure if PTSD is affecting your quality of life, there are some everyday ways you might be affected too. Consider the following:
7 Signs PTSD is Affecting the Way You Feel & Function
1. Your Sleep Patterns are Disrupted
Whether you suffer from frequent nightmares about the trauma or cope with a persistent inability to relax your mind and body, sleep may not come easy. For example, you may wake throughout the night and struggle to sleep again afterward. As a result. you may experience brain fog and a general sense of exhaustion. Work, relationships, and physical stamina are greatly impacted when you can’t maintain healthy sleep patterns.
2. General Social Interaction is Distasteful
If you catch yourself avoiding even the most casual interactions, look closer at why. If you can’t make yourself deal with cashiers, waiters, Uber drivers, or gas station attendants, something is amiss. PTSD can greatly hinder your ability to engage in ways that make your life run smoothly.
3. Controlling Everything and Everybody is a Preoccupation
Have you become obsessed with keeping an eye on the people in your life. Do you worry about their safety or try to make sure they do what it takes to stay safe? Are you constantly shaping and remaking your environment (and that of your loved ones) to ward off danger? This type of hypervigilance is often a sign that PTSD is wearing your relationships thin and overriding rational thoughts about real threats.
4. You’re Mentally Foggy, Distracted, and/or Inattentive
Does your focus drift easily? Perhaps it feels as though you just can’t pin down thoughts long enough to be productive. Concentration is often adversely affected by PTSD. This can complicate work, healthy routines, and relationships.
5. You Plan Ahead Only to Cancel… Again
You know that the people in your life want to see you. It’s true that you understand that your future requires you to set goals. You do realize that setting appointments are important for creating a workable schedule.
Yet, when the time comes for you to mee, see, or do, you cancel everything. PTSD keeps you locked in the trauma of the past. You worry that you’re ill-equipped for the future. So, you end up canceling movement in any direction.
6. Your Reactions are Disproportionate and Emotional
How do you deal with upset or change? If you tend to rage, cry, or lash out, PTSD may be at the root of your reactivity. If you are exhausted by your unpredictable response to other people, media, and memories, you may need to seek help.
7. Your Life Feels Disconnected From You
A prevalent sign of PTSD is dissociation. From the outside, it can look as if you are zoned out or a daydreamer. Actually, your past trauma taught your brain to protect itself by distancing itself from the present. Thus you can experience a period of mental and emotional disconnection. As a result, your sense of identity may feel confusing.
It’s Okay to Get Help
PTSD won’t fade away on its own. Healing often involves a commitment to therapy. Working with a skilled guide is a healthy and proven path toward recovery.
Whether you or a loved one deals with PTSD, professional counseling is crucial. Learning to cope and function well can make your life and relationships must better. Please read more about PTSD and reach out for care.
*** The tips offered in this article are for general information and should not be considered medical or psychological advice. For more personalized recommendations appropriate to your individual situation, please contact us or obtain professional guidance.
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