How to Recognize the Signs of PTSD in Your Life
Signs of PTSD
If you wonder if you’re experiencing symptoms of PTSD, but can’t quite put a finger on why, begin by reviewing events or situations in your life that might be causing it.
For example, do any particularly traumatic experiences jump out to you? Were there extremely stressful times in your early years? What about accidents, abuse, natural disasters?
Anything you’ve experienced in your past that made you feel terrified, even to the point of fearing you were going to lose your life, can cause PTSD.
Perhaps you already have a firm idea of which traumatic events in your past could be creating PTSD. Either way, the list below is a helpful place to begin.
Replaying Memories
Reliving a traumatic event over and over is a classic sign of PTSD. As much as you’d like to get the event(s) out of your mind, you can’t. You might have nightmares. Or your thoughts can get stuck on autoplay, and you’re unable to disengage from them. These thoughts can become so intense that they interfere with your ability to interact and function at work or home.
Avoidance Behaviors
Do certain sights, sounds, smells, or locations trigger traumatic memories? If so, you may find yourself going way out of your way to avoid encountering them. It isn’t necessary to even know why some stimuli are triggers. After it’s happened once, you’ll do whatever you can to avoid feeling that way again.
Hypervigilance
Hypervigilance is a term that means you are extremely alert to even the smallest possibility of danger.
For example, you’re always on edge and check the doors to make sure they’re locked countless times. Or if you’re a passenger in a car, you pay even more attention to what’s happening in traffic than the driver does. You startle very easily. Perhaps you always review the exits in a room or building when you are in a new place.
Mainly, your body goes into the protective reactions of fight-or-flight at even the smallest things that arouse similar feelings as the traumatic event did.
Substance Abuse
People living with PTSD often resort to alcohol or drug abuse to try to numb their memories of trauma. If you find yourself searching for relief from your emotional pain in a substance, this could be a sign of PTSD.
Anxiety and Depression
While PTSD is different than anxiety and depression, its signs can be similar. A sense of guilt and deep sadness may cloud your mind. Difficulties with concentration and staying connected to your immediate surroundings can also be signs.
Or you may withdraw from family and friends. Your former interests lose their appeal. As mentioned above, you may feel very on edge and avoid situations out of fear that they will trigger your traumatic memories.
If you believe you are experiencing PTSD, I urge you to reach out to our office today. It is possible to move past the trauma you’ve experienced and into a more joyful, confident life. You are not alone.