Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – Gaining A Better Understanding

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is when an individual experiences a trauma themselves personally or they were exposed to one. The kind of trauma that I am referring to is something that was very tragic and/ or frightening to an individual.

Specially, PTSD is defined as exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence by the following ways:

-Directly

-Witnessing

-Hearing that something tragic has happened to a close friend or  family member

-Experiencing extreme and/ or repeated exposure to details of  traumatic events (such as first responders.) 

Also, someone who is experiencing PTSD has recurrent and involuntarily intrusive symptoms, dissociative reactions such as flashbacks, and intense psychological and physiological distress.

Individuals with PTSD also often have the following symptoms:

Difficulty with concentration

Sleep problems

They are startled easily

Irritability

Reckless and self-destructive behaviors

Experiences persistence negative emotions and beliefs

Diminished interest in activities

Socially withdrawn

Anxiety and depression symptoms

Feelings of helplessness, horror, and fear

Symptoms usually surface during the first 3 months of a trauma but can also be delayed for long periods of time, even years.

There are many treatment options to assist with PTSD recovery. A clinical mental health professional can help someone who has PTSD to recover and heal from the effects of trauma.

There is hope and healing for PTSD. I am a thriving survivor of PTSD.

Reference 
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5), (2013). American Psychiatric Association Publishing   

By Diane Gammon M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counselor

                                           Blog Website LivingWithHopeCounseling.com